Compiled by : Colin Albert colin@nospam-labrax.force9.co.uk (Delete"nospam-" to e-mail.)

5.1 Is frozen bait any good?

This all depends on the type of bait, and the quality of the freezing. Blast frozen baits such as sandeel, mackerel, and squid are excellent, and are only bettered by bait caught on the same day. Look for brand names on the bait packets, I can recommend Ammo and Atrakta baits though there are others. Beware of un-named packets, these are usually frozen by the shop and are not blast frozen. Bait you freeze yourself at home, may be O.K. for boat fishing and as groundbait, but is not as tough as blast frozen baits for casting. Remember that domestic freezers are only designed to freeze a few pounds of produce at a time, not several stone of mackerel or cod! The blocks of Californian Calamari squid are also excellent. Blast freezing is not so important with squid. Worm baits will not freeze. Bait you freeze yourself at home, may be O.K. for boat fishing, and as groundbait, but does not compare to the quality of blast frozen baits.

5.2 How do you keep soft baits like mussell on the hook when casting?

The usual way of keeping soft baits on the hook is to use a thin elastic thread to bind the bait to the hook. Most tackle shops now sell an extremely thin elastic for this purpose that is almost invisible. Otherwise try a haberdashery or drapers shop, I think that the thread is called"Gold Zaks". If you cannot get this invisible thread, use shirring elastic.

A new system has just come on the market for freezing bait onto the hook for casting. This is based on a freezer spray similar to the one plumbers use. The system consists of a can of freezer, and a box (10 x 4 x 2 inches) with a two different sized compartments and some holes in the lid. The baited hook is placed in a compartment and the lid is closed. The baited hook is placed on the tray, and the lid shut. Then the spray is squirted into the relevant hole to freeze the bait. Only a few seconds is needed to freeze small bait, larger baits may need a couple of squirts through different holes. After casting the bait defrosts in seconds under the water. The spray is not flammable and does not contain CFC's. At present I do not know what the price is.

For more details contact:

ARTIC BAIT FREEZER
Wavecare Ltd
Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6QF.
Tel (01572) 756802

Has anyone tried this? Please let me know how it works.

Scott Griffiths of Plymouth e-mailed me this. "On the point of Freezer Spray I have used the plumber spray quite a few times for Lug worm as the slimmy little sods do not like my casting and I have found it great as the bait stays in one piece all the way to the water. One thing to be aware of is that you don`t get your hands in the way while spraying as it tends to get a bit cold."