which is your prefered bait for SOLE?

Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 12:06 pm

hiya all

having NOT specifically targeted SOLE i am wondering what the best bait and rigs i should be using!!
please advise!

Sue

Occasional Joined: May 30, 2009 Posts: 119 Location: dover

hi sue my best bait for sole is rag,lug worm cool

Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 12:22 pm

Hi Sue, Had a few sole in my time and boy are they great for dinner!. Anyway you have to understand where they are likely to hang out and how they feed. 1. is near sandbanks with plenty of worm casts (have a look at low water.) 2. is they wander slowly along the seabed sniffing for worm and other little morsels.
This means that the top bait as far as I am concerned is lug on a size 4 or 2 aberdeen hook (no larger). The rig has to have short snoods (no more than 15 cms) with a few split shot on becuase it is essential that the worm stays put on the seabed.
Do not ever strike because they will hook themselves and give them plenty of time to do this. Often the first sign of interest will be a few little trembles but do not be tempted to lift the rod. Give the fish plenty of time to be sure they have got hooked - ususally indicated by a couple of definite tugs and in the case of the biggies maybe even a bit of thrashing about. Then just wind in.
ATB

Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 5:26 am

If you've got any worms from previous trips that are frozen, use them for sole because they love em. happy

Dont cast out too far either, they come fairly close in which is handy for avoiding crabs.

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:50 pm

hi sue
very small hooks size 4 or 6 aberdeens on a long flowing trace works well

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 9:20 pm

well i not caught one yet! lol

still on the hunt
thank you for all your valuable advise!!

Sue

Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 10:37 pm

madmike300uk wrote:

hi sue
very small hooks size 4 or 6 aberdeens on a long flowing trace works well

Sorry Mike but this wrong. It is essential that snoods are short so that the worm stays put rather than drifting about in the current. If you don't believe me, check with Solehunter (Dave Slingsby) who is the Solent expert and has had scores of sole in the last few years.

Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 3:49 pm

eccles wrote:

madmike300uk wrote:

hi sue
very small hooks size 4 or 6 aberdeens on a long flowing trace works well

Sorry Mike but this wrong. It is essential that snoods are short so that the worm stays put rather than drifting about in the current. If you don't believe me, check with Solehunter (Dave Slingsby) who is the Solent expert and has had scores of sole in the last few years.

Only telling you what works for me I had over 20 last year on this rig so just passing on the info
i'v had 6 this year so far ,sounds like you can catch them on any rig

Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:02 pm

they definately dont like little bits of squid round my way,ive found rag and little lug to be most effective on wire boom rigs with size 4 aberdeens.Andy1i

Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 9:51 pm

thank you all! i've tried many things last few times out! giving them another bash soon!!

Sue