Advice on how best to use worm and maggots.

[clutch]

Hey,

I am really enjoying getting into barbel fishing and I have had some really enjoyable fishing this season. I have been mostly fishing on pellet and meat, but I would like to deepen my knowledge on how best to use other baits.

I like the idea of using natural baits and would like to know how best to fish both worm and maggot. I will be fishing the Severn at Bridgnorth.

Does anyone have advice on how to best fish maggots? Rigs, how best to feed, preferred feeders etc? I was also concerned about much hassle you get from smaller nuisance fish when fishing maggot, and how best to avoid that.

And the same for fishing worm, best rigs, what conditions are best etc.

Thanks guys.

 

[108831]

Well first of all to fish maggot on the Severn I think you would be hard pushed to make 6 pints last a day session,so it will work out expensive,as for approach,a fair sized block end feeder,a strong hookink up to say 3ft long(start 20in or so),a strong hook of your preference,from a 16-12 and between 1-4 maggots on the hook,reds are the norm,but I think the barbel eat em all...Cast the feeder every 10-20 minutes and stand back and await the fireworks...

 

[keora]

Lobworms are a good barbel bait, especially if used when the river is up and coloured after heavy rain. I'm not if small red worms and the larger dendrobaena worms are as effective.

As a contributor has already mentioned, you'll need pints of maggots if you're fishing for barbel, as initially the smaller fish will eat the lot until the barbel move in. Groundbaiting with hempseed and casters, and using casters on the hook, is a better option in my view. The drawback to the maggots/hemp/casters method is that you need to carry too much bait, which is heavy if you're walking long distances. Casters are quite expensive and don't keep well without a fridge.

 

[108831]

I have used 14 pts in a day on the Severn before now and wouldn't think it worthwhile to take less than 6 pts,but although I have caught barbel on worms,they certainly aren''t a go to bait for me,in coloured water I would be happier with a big chunk of meat.

 

[tigger]

I have used 14 pts in a day on the Severn before now and wouldn't think it worthwhile to take less than 6 pts,but although I have caught barbel on worms,they certainly aren''t a go to bait for me,in coloured water I would be happier with a big chunk of meat.

Imo there's no need to use so many maggots, i'd make them go further by mixing them in bread crumb, corn, pellets etc etc. I use as many maggots on the hook as I can and get 12 to 14 on a size 14's hook easy enough. I don't think the colour matters but it makes me feel better if I mix red and whites on the hook.

 

[Philip]

I would agree with Tigger on this in terms of the feed. I get the feeling its become almost accepted that you HAVE to use gallons of maggots but I am not sure thats the case. if you can get them going on the maggots once they are there and competing I recon you can start introducing a different (cheaper) feed in and keep them there.

 

[108831]

I would like to be able to agree with you Tigger,but the day I used 14pts I caught 88 barbel,at the beginning I filled the feeder(not a monster by todays standards)two thirds maggot,one third hemp,then after a few hours of regular casting,cut the amount of bait to half to three quarters of a feeder full,that day I ran out of bait,sad to say but bulking out maggots with groundbait will catch,just not as effectively,I don't fish that way today,as I believe it is unjustifiable,but as a single man then,with only being successful in mind it was a no brainer,if you want a lower price route,don't use maggots or casters,as most don't on the Severn today,including matchmen.As an aside,when I used to holiday at Ringwood(single then too)I fished caster and hemp,bait dropped,no swimfeeder,I found the minimum amount of bait for a day so as to maximise success was 3 pts of caster,3 of hemp,2 of groats and 2 tins of corn,now based on the fact I was fishing from 7-10 days it was fairly costly,but wasting the price of a holiday,plus the time there to make do is pointless imo.Everyone takes their choice,Stef Horak's articles many years ago in one of the specialist mags used to infuriate many as he used large quantities of casters for barbel,whilst slagging off less successful anglers for not using the same approach,now £30+ for a session bait wise is a massive outlay for the majority,especially if you want to keep your missus,so the reasons for not doing it are obvious,especially when the bills need paying...

 

[108831]

I would agree with Tigger on this in terms of the feed. I get the feeling its become almost accepted that you HAVE to use gallons of maggots but I am not sure thats the case. if you can get them going on the maggots once they are there and competing I recon you can start introducing a different (cheaper) feed in and keep them there.

Having just looked at your profile Philip and seeing your age,your points are sensible,justified and fit your needs exactly,when you are in the business of earning a living(which thankfully I wont be soon),your cost inhibitions will change,by differing degrees,but they will,I hope i'm still around to see this change occur fella,as we were all there at some stage,enjoy.

 

[mikench]

Having just looked at your profile Philip and seeing your age,your points are sensible,justified and fit your needs exactly,when you are in the business of earning a living(which thankfully I wont be soon),your cost inhibitions will change,by differing degrees,but they will,I hope i'm still around to see this change occur fella,as we were all there at some stage,enjoy.

He is amazing for 12

 

[108831]

Absolutely...