Anyone used or using mussels for carp ?
In reply to Post #1
Yes,
I have had more bites using cockles and prawns,mainly float fishing ..or using a float..at night..
Yes,
I have had more bites using cockles and prawns,mainly float fishing ..or using a float..at night..
In reply to Post #2
Me too.
Problem with mussels for any kind of fishing is that they are hard to present and keep on the hook whether they are raw or cooked.
Cockles and prawns are great easy to use baits and for me cockles in particular are a great stalking bait. Don't use the ones in vinegar
Frozen are good but fresh boiled in their shells and kept in their juices are best. Definitely worth a try. Good luck.
Me too.
Problem with mussels for any kind of fishing is that they are hard to present and keep on the hook whether they are raw or cooked.
Cockles and prawns are great easy to use baits and for me cockles in particular are a great stalking bait. Don't use the ones in vinegar
Frozen are good but fresh boiled in their shells and kept in their juices are best. Definitely worth a try. Good luck.
In reply to Post #1
Blender and liquidise, turns to a nice green mush, you can then use it how you want
I used to put it in my boilie mixes and have since cant be arsed
Used to fish cockles over hemp as a lad, the crucians and tench in my local lake used to go nuts for them
Blender and liquidise, turns to a nice green mush, you can then use it how you want
I used to put it in my boilie mixes and have since cant be arsed
Used to fish cockles over hemp as a lad, the crucians and tench in my local lake used to go nuts for them
In reply to Post #2
I was gonna ask how people prefer to Present them , I was wondering if the arma mesh system would be a good option ?
I was gonna ask how people prefer to Present them , I was wondering if the arma mesh system would be a good option ?
In reply to Post #5
I'm assuming you mean mussels from the sea? I think killing a freshwater mussel for bait is illegal now.
But, using armamesh would be easier than wrapping mussel up on a hook, yeah. I don't see the point of going to the trouble of using mussels as bait, as especially as boilies are the best bait going. But, to each their own
I'm assuming you mean mussels from the sea? I think killing a freshwater mussel for bait is illegal now.
But, using armamesh would be easier than wrapping mussel up on a hook, yeah. I don't see the point of going to the trouble of using mussels as bait, as especially as boilies are the best bait going. But, to each their own
In reply to Post #1
Yes. I'd say they're not particularly suited to standard bobbin/Carp ledgering technique (unless in armomesh), or your right on your rods, using run rigs, a very light bobbin and ready to strike very quick bites, otherwise it'll be gone. Quiver tip or swing tip are great methods for mussels.
Cockles are tougher and withstand a bit of abuse...now..raw Pork sausage, think the mushy Richmond type, if you can hit those bites you know you've got good reactions.
Also a big fan or belly Pork, had some nice fish on it but crikey does it swell in water!
Yes. I'd say they're not particularly suited to standard bobbin/Carp ledgering technique (unless in armomesh), or your right on your rods, using run rigs, a very light bobbin and ready to strike very quick bites, otherwise it'll be gone. Quiver tip or swing tip are great methods for mussels.
Cockles are tougher and withstand a bit of abuse...now..raw Pork sausage, think the mushy Richmond type, if you can hit those bites you know you've got good reactions.
Also a big fan or belly Pork, had some nice fish on it but crikey does it swell in water!
In reply to Post #5
same as they do in sea angling with baits, bit of bait elastic can build up a good chunky bait around the hook
same as they do in sea angling with baits, bit of bait elastic can build up a good chunky bait around the hook
In reply to Post #8
Problem with mussels is however much care you take binding them on with yards of elastic to get alump of bait, including threading them on the elastic and winding them on the hook, they are so soft you will lose a lot of flesh and juice on the cast, more on the impact with the water and most of the rest to small fish which have no trouble ripping them up. Wind in 10 minutes later and the is nothing left. Cooked they are worse. I'm sure mesh would work but why bother. If they were a super bait it might be worth it, but they are not.
Cockles, prawns, shrimps and even whelks work fine and are tough and easy to use.
I think pretty much everybody who has tried mussels has moved on pretty swiftly.
Use cockles and slay 'em.
Problem with mussels is however much care you take binding them on with yards of elastic to get alump of bait, including threading them on the elastic and winding them on the hook, they are so soft you will lose a lot of flesh and juice on the cast, more on the impact with the water and most of the rest to small fish which have no trouble ripping them up. Wind in 10 minutes later and the is nothing left. Cooked they are worse. I'm sure mesh would work but why bother. If they were a super bait it might be worth it, but they are not.
Cockles, prawns, shrimps and even whelks work fine and are tough and easy to use.
I think pretty much everybody who has tried mussels has moved on pretty swiftly.
Use cockles and slay 'em.
In reply to Post #5
I have used armour mesh with meat and bread around corkballs and it works superb
For a bottom bait with meat (mussels) you want the narrow version, pack it and tie it off tight just like a PVA bag. I used a size 4 hook on braid with a small maggot clip tied to the hair. Simply clip the meaty package on through one end, works fine. I was targeting carp on a large gravel pit, stopped using it because the pike loved it, I got sick of catching them
I have used armour mesh with meat and bread around corkballs and it works superb
For a bottom bait with meat (mussels) you want the narrow version, pack it and tie it off tight just like a PVA bag. I used a size 4 hook on braid with a small maggot clip tied to the hair. Simply clip the meaty package on through one end, works fine. I was targeting carp on a large gravel pit, stopped using it because the pike loved it, I got sick of catching them