Best Baits For Popular Sea Fish

Sea fishing can be a thrilling and rewarding experience for anyone looking for a challenging and adventurous pastime. However, to get the most out of your sea fishing adventure, you need to be equipped with the right gear and more importantly, the right bait. This is because different species of fish require different types of bait to catch them effectively. In this article, we will explore some of the best baits to use for various species of fish when sea fishing.

Bass

Bass are one of the most common species of fish that you are likely to encounter when sea fishing. To catch bass effectively, the best bait to use is live bait. This can be anything from live sand eels, crabs, mussels, or lugworms. The key is to choose bait that is natural to the bass’s habitat to increase the chances of catching them. Bass also respond well to artificial lures such as soft plastic lures and surface poppers.

Cod

Cod are another common species of fish in the sea that are sought after by many anglers. Cod are known to be opportunistic feeders and will eat almost anything, including herring, mackerel, squid, and sand eels. The most popular bait for catching cod is lugworm, either on its own or combined with squid or mackerel. Other effective baits for cod include peeler crabs, blueys, and ragworms.

Smoothhound

Smoothhound or dogfish are found in the waters around the UK and are a popular target for sea anglers. Smoothhound are renowned for their willingness to take almost any bait, and they can be caught using a wide range of baits, including peeler crabs, squid, mackerel, and ragworms. However, the most effective bait for smoothhounds is peeler crab. This is because they have a keen sense of smell and can detect the scent of the crab from a long distance.

Thornback Ray

Thornback ray can be a challenging species to catch, but they are abundant in the waters around the UK. The best bait for catching thornback ray is squid or mackerel. They have a keen sense of smell, so fresher bait is always better. You can also use ragworms or peeler crabs as bait, but these are less effective than squid and mackerel. A running ledger rig with a long wire trace and a one or two-hook trace are ideal for catching thornback ray.

Pollock

Pollock are a predatory fish found in rocky areas around the coast. They are aggressive and will take almost anything that moves or resembles its prey. For this reason, the most effective bait for catching pollock is artificial lures such as plugs, shads, and soft plastic lures. However, if you prefer to use natural bait, ragworm, squid, and mackerel are all effective baits for catching pollock.

Mackerel

Mackerel are a common species of fish found in the waters around the UK. They are often targeted for live bait and also as a popular food fish. The most effective bait for catching mackerel is a string of lures or feathers. These lures mimic the movement of small fish, which mackerel find irresistible. You can also catch them on spinners or small jigs. If using natural bait, you can catch mackerel using ragworm, sand eels, or strips of squid.

Common Skate

The common skate is a large, predatory fish that can be found in the deeper waters around the UK coast. The best bait for catching common skate is mackerel or whole squid. A large hook is required when targeting common skate, and it is vital to ensure that the bait is presented in a natural way so that the fish is not spooked. Unhooking common skate can be challenging, so it is essential to use the right equipment and approach with care.

Wrasse

Wrasse can be a challenging species to catch, but they are abundant in rocky areas around the coast. The best bait for catching wrasse is ragworm, mackerel, or strips of squid. They are known to be attracted to the scent of bait, so fresher bait is better. Fishing close to rocks and seaweed beds is also recommended as this is where they like to feed.

Conger

Conger can be found in the deeper waters around the UK coast, and they are a popular target for many anglers. The best bait for catching conger is fresh mackerel or squid. Like most species of fish, they have a keen sense of smell, so it is important to use fresh bait. A long hook length and a strong hook are also important when fishing for conger. Conger can grow to be quite large, so make sure that your gear can handle the size of the fish you are targeting.

Plaice

Plaice are a popular food fish found in the shallower waters around the UK coast. The best bait for catching plaice is lugworm or ragworm, fished on a long hook length and light line. They are opportunistic feeders and will take almost any bait. However, they respond well to bait that moves and catches their attention. You can also use small strips of squid or mackerel, but these are less effective than lugworm or ragworm.

Flounder

Flounder are a flatfish that inhabit the sandy areas of the UK coast. The best bait for catching flounder is lugworm or ragworm fished on a long hook length and light line. Flounders are known to be opportunistic feeders and will take almost any bait. However, they love the scent of lugworm or ragworm, which makes them the most effective bait for catching flounder.

Sole

Sole can be found in shallow waters around the UK coast, and they are a popular species of flatfish. The best bait for catching sole is lugworm or strips of squid. They tend to feed close to the bottom, so it is essential to present the bait in a way that is close to the seabed. They also respond well to bait that moves, so a light sink and draw retrieve can be effective.

Tope

Tope are a large predatory shark that are found in the deeper waters around the UK coast. The best bait for catching tope is fresh mackerel or whole squid. Tope have a keen sense of smell, so it is important to use fresh bait. A large hook and wire trace are essential when targeting tope, as they have a habit of biting through conventional line.

Stingray

Stingray can be found in the deeper waters around the UK coast, and they are a popular species of the ray family. The best bait for catching stingray is squid or mackerel. They are known to be attracted to the scent of bait, so it is important to use fresh bait. A long hook length and a strong hook are essential when targeting stingray, as they have a habit of biting through conventional line.

Blonde Ray

Blonde ray are a larger species of the ray family, and they can be found in the deeper waters around the UK coast. The best bait for catching blonde ray is squid or mackerel. They have a keen sense of smell, so it is important to use fresh bait. A long hook length and a strong hook are essential when targeting blonde rays.

Sea Bream

Sea bream can be found in the shallower waters around the UK coast and are popular species of fish for many anglers. The best bait for catching sea bream is ragworm, lugworm or mackerel. They are opportunistic feeders and will take almost any bait. However, they respond well to bait that is presented in a way close to the seabed.

In conclusion, the success of your sea fishing trip is strongly linked to the type of bait you use. Different species of fish require different types of bait, so it is vital to choose the right bait to maximize your chances of catching the fish you are targeting. The baits listed in this article are tried and tested methods for catching various species of fish around the UK coast. However, remember that there are no set rules when it comes to sea fishing, and it is always worth trying new and different baits to see what works best for you.