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Bluey (Pacific Saury) Shortage?

6K views 21 replies 14 participants last post by  Bronzhaii 
#1 ·
I thought I would touch base on what appears to be a shortage of frozen Bluey (pacific saury) as most if not all the local tackle shops have sold out and some online bait suppliers have also sold out of the usual packs. A few years ago I wouldn’t have been too worried about having them but I have come to appreciate them as a bait for the Thornback Rays in this area and I am also aware of a number of good Bass that have been caught on them. The added bonus of course was they were relatively cheap considering they are imported and readily available.
I have consulted my good friend Mr Google and it would seem that bluey originate from Japan and that the Autumn 2020 catch was nothing short of disastrous. There is a reference to early autumn 2020 catches being at just 1% of normal and the average size was much smaller. As a result, the price of the fish which is seasonally a mainstay of the Japanese diet increased significantly and presumably there has been limited surplus left over to export to us to use as bait. Its all a bit doom and gloom on the internet with signs that they have been overfished and that changes in the marine environment has affected them (sounds a bit like our Mackerel doesn’t it).
It seems to me that we may not be seeing any new stock arriving until after this autumn’s season if at all and that if any do arrive, we should expect a price. If you are holding a stock of Bluey in your freezer, make the most of them! Or if you get the chance to stock up do so.
If anyone has heard anything official from the supply chain or heard any gossip on the subject I would be most interested to here.
 
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#3 ·
i`m lucky i live about 2 miles away from Sam Coles main depot they surply frozen bait to fishing shops all around the country under the name Sams Baits when people started to mention at the end of last year there could be a shortage this year i went and filled my freezer up i now have enough to last a long while......
 
#9 ·
Nasty old commercial fishers get blamed for everything hey,????
 
#12 ·
Many thanks for the various replies interesting comments particularly on how effective they are .Around here in Kent they are now my go to bait for the spring run of shore Thornback Rays and I know a number a anglers who have also had decent Bass on them. I find them less effective for other species and will stop using them towards the end of May when the Rays tend to move back offshore.
 
#20 ·
Match the Hatch for me .... We dont get blueys in our waters so i`ve never used them .... some boys do tho with mixed results .....Very lucky to be able to see the sandeels being caught from the lounge window through my binoculars a quick message back and forth and i`m quayside getting fresh Greens ,reds or pins .... We`re very lucky ....(y)
 
#22 ·
We get Saury down here as an imported frozen bait, and it is of variable success. It tends to be as oily as Mackerel, but tougher. The oily nature makes it a sought after bait when waters are strongly coloured.

An alternative might be Herring or Sardine/Pilchard, as they prove to be equally oily, but less tough. It might be a heretic suggestion, but Mullet is very tough and oily as skinned fillets.
 
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