Bouyant Squid Bait

**Skatenchips** · 31-03-2007, 17:01

So far i have only used squid in whole form or strips,both being fished
Hard on the bottom.
Now.as a Freshy i am not aware as yet as to which sea species feed
nose down on the deck,and those that might consider a bait off bottom..!!!!!
Which brings me to my question........
If i am beachcasting over rough ground,rather than lose my bait amoung
rocks/kelp.....i was considering trying to make a whole squid bouyant
by either using cork pieces or floating beads in the body cavity then wrapping
it in elastic.
I had Bass in mind that may feed a couple of feet off bottom,but again
im only guessing.
Dont really know if this is a daft suggestion,or if feller,s may use this idea
already......would be interested to hear any thoughts.
If anybody can advise me better on species feeding habits on/off bottom
i would be happy to hear it.
Cheers
Gaz

**Cascars** · 31-03-2007, 17:16

I would not use anything that is not biodegradable. What happens if a fish takes it and then you lose the fish? I am wondering if something like carp fishing Popups would work in the way that you want. You should be able to get something with a fishy smell. It may need a few of them though to lift it iff the bottom.

**Bass-ic Instinct** · 31-03-2007, 17:43

I saw in Sea Angler that one angler used carp pop ups (foam balls to float boilies) for wrasse fishing to prevent his baits from been pulled under the kelp. I think though that a squid may be a bit to large to suspend successfully and that you would be better off float fishing. Although i prefer to use sandeel, mackerel or ragworms for sea float fishing.

**Tip Tornado** · 31-03-2007, 18:30

Originally Posted by cascars

I I am wondering if something like carp fishing Popups would work in the way that you want.

was thinking exactly the same myself

**Pelamid** · 31-03-2007, 20:24

Pike anglers use pop up baits. Get the Pike & Predator magazine - it often shows someone using the method. Popped-up sandeel used to be a favourite of mine.
I would think in calm seas with little tide movement it should work for bass. Worth trying on those difficult days.

**blueskip** · 31-03-2007, 20:36

Originally Posted by cascars

You should be able to get something with a fishy smell. It may need a few of them though to lift it iff the bottom.

Unfortunate mixture of metaphores here cascars "something with a fishy smell"

incorporated with "a few of them though, to lift it off the bottom",

decidedly on the pornographic side this thread!

blueskip

**Cascars** · 31-03-2007, 21:21

I would have expected that comment from one of the Essex lot

blueskip but I though you were a bit more refined

**Flathead** · 01-04-2007, 15:56

Something like this:

http://www.hooklinks.co.uk/pike/navi...?=inserts.html

http://www.pacgb.co.uk/articles/popups.html

**Skatenchips** · 01-04-2007, 16:36

Excellent links Flathead......much food for thought there mate.
I,like many others had mentioned did not want to leave poly balls/cork
in the fishes gut......so the article using poly balls suspended above the
bait seems an interesting concept.
May even stick a glow stick through the poly ball as added attraction
on night tides.
Cheers mate.
Gaz

**dabcatcher** · 01-04-2007, 16:51

i fished a pebble beach and we were catching lots of bass but the leads and baits were getting burried by the large pebbles resulting in snapped rigs.

to combat this i used a large pebble as a weight. they will be the same density as those around them so wont, didnt burry so none got snagged. to lift a whole crab bait off the bottom to make it more visible i used a 20mm floating bead 2in from the hook. this kept the bait moving just off the bottom and resulted in imediate bites and no snags.

another method used locally to catch mackerel in a comp that bans lures and floats is to use a large floating bead or cork again a couple of inches away from a long hooklength lifting a strip of mackerel well of the bottom. also works for garfish and bream.