Bait Pumps do they work?

**blueskip** · 28-11-2004, 10:58

I am toying with the idea of buying a bait pump, but do they work? If they do, why are tackle shops still managing to sell worms?
I haven't dug lug for years, I have had a heart attack, got old, & I'm too idle nowadays, but I used to enjoy doing it.
I quite like the idea of going down the beach & pumping some (if it works), I have seen Rex Hunt on Sky pumping sandworms & "yabbies" (whatever they are), but I have never seen one in "real" action.
So come on all you pumpers (& failed pumpers) lets have the good, bad, & indifferent views, on the different pumps available, & some tips on how to get results, before it gets slung into the shed with the rest of the "New Breakthrough in Angling" junk I have been conned into buying!

**poacher** · 28-11-2004, 12:07

blueskip, i uae an alvey bait pump. and yes they do work. but we r talking pumping in sand. ie, saundersfoot etc. it is hardwork on the bak thow, even at my age i suffer with the bottom of my back. and pumping makes it worse. but i get some lovely black lug with my pump. and bait shops sell bait i suppose be cause not every 1 likes 2 pump, or havent got a pump, or u cant pump rag. people r 2 lazy 2 do it 4 themselves. not all people, but it also tends 2 get u thinking just how hard work it is.u usually have 2 travel 2 get the worm. i go about 100 miles. so i get enough 2 freeze for the winter, if u do this u have 2 take the guts out of them, which is simple, but can b messy if done around the home, so i put plenty newspaper under them, then sprinkle salt over them, and the guts come out then. if u live local to the wormbeds, i suppose u can b lucky enough 2 go down 2 the beach 4 half an hour to an hour each time, which would b great. it can b worth doin, but after an heart attack i wouldnt really entertain it. m8. i am no doctor, but think i would rather buy them. good luck,

**blueskip** · 28-11-2004, 13:51

Poacher, thanks for the information m8, I am lucky in that I live in Swansea (maybe that isn't really lucky), but as far as worm beds are concerned, I am like an arab oil sheikh compared to many, I can get the time during the week to have an hour pumping worm.
Its got to be easier than digging the perishers, even in the summer it was usually 3 spits per worm if you were lucky, the pump takes the strain surely, all you have to do is bend down as it sucks the sand out, & squirt it out of the bottom? My back is ok, its my ticker thats dicky, so I reckon I might give it a try.
Is it any good for blow lug? or is it only any good for blacks (them with the dartboard cast), & what about mudworm (harbour rag) usually 2 forkfuls of mud, half an hour sifting, & you have enough for a session, would it pump estuary mud? or is it only good in pure sand?
I know I am asking for the Holy Graille, but as a golfer as well as an angler I have bought so many clubs, that are going to put this & that right, that there are more clubs in my shed than in my bag, I'm a sucker for "gizmo's" & usually they are no good, so I want the lowdown on the bait pump before I blow another £50! thanks,
Blueskip

**poacher** · 28-11-2004, 16:58

i never tried 1 in mud, but any sort of terrain with stones rocks in it and it wont work. i would like 2 think if estuary rag in soft soil etc, it might work. but i hope 1 of the other lads will help with that 1,. u r quite local 2 wormbeds then, so u should b fine. i no that llanelli is excellent for black, my m8 pumps them 4 the shops. i pumped 4 pound 1 day when i went with him, he pumped 13 and a half. i was a bit embarrassed but thinkin about it, he is used 2 it. u can go when u like, and when tired retire home, the pumps work fine, and r 4x better than a spade or fork.. dont go spending 50quid on a pump thow. buy the yellow weekly paper in your newsagents. its called the adtrader. u must have heard of it. bait pumps in there regularly. i got mine from there. i think there was 1 in last weeks.i will av a look now ang on....theres 1 in abergavenny but it may b 2 far 4 u.30quid.another idea 2 save your bak, is 2 go to a metal working shop and get your handle on your pump lengthened, ie, get som 1 to weld an extra piece of stainless pipe on the handle itself, weld the extended bit upwards, so as to save your back. if you want more info about this i will explain it when u got a pump. it is easier 4 u to understand when u have a pump 2 hand so to speak. hope this helps..

**blueskip** · 28-11-2004, 18:05

Poacher
There is no doubt "you are the man" when it comes to these pumps, & I am a long standing hand at salting down both lug & rag, I find that if you mix it with some fresh you can pile on the bait without skimping.
I like the sound of your modification to the pump to save the back, & a guy has a unit next door to me & he does a lot of stainless fabrication, & he owes me a couple of favours!
I have bought several things via adtrader I will have a shufti right now, e-bay have 2 on auction, 1 original Alvey still in the bag, & a shop in Llanelli is offering a slimmed down version which is supposed to be more productive? They could go for any price though, you get some nutter who will pledge more than they cost new!
I hope this thread runs a bit, there must be people out there with lots of tales to tell, I wonder what the most unusual thing to be sucked up has been?
Will contact you when I have my pump, & you can talk me through the mod, cheers. blueskip

**jury** · 28-11-2004, 18:11

Thats the problem with a bait pump its not what it costs or your back its how do you use the blooming thing??????
I have had one for about a month and used it a lot ,but i'm still buying the worms to sub the amount required for an outing.

**blueskip** · 28-11-2004, 18:19

Jury
What we need to do is meet at a venue & Poacher (or his mate) can show us how its done, & what this secret modification is! Are you up for that poacher, have pumps will travel!
blueskip

**jury** · 28-11-2004, 18:25

Any time skip I need some tuition soooooon

**blueskip** · 28-11-2004, 19:14

Jury
I just put bait pumps into Google & one of the contacts was as follows www.wirralseafishing.co.uk/blacklugfeature.htm it was a bit of a "duffers guide" maybe? But it seems to give an idea on how to start, I reckon even I could follow that set of instructions, go have a look! blueskip

**poacher** · 28-11-2004, 20:05

get your pump and i can explain the modification. i am not a pro at pumping. there others out there who get a worm almost every cast, i get 1 in 3.approx. we can all ,meet up in a month or 2. as long as you do no where plenty of worm traces r. otherwise its saundersfoot. that place in llanelli is good, cant remember the way.. tryin 2 think of the name of the place. well known fishing spot. huge sandy beaches.. near rhossili i think.and pembrey. my bro just said the millenium park.any of u guys no that. and is there worm there. cos it was pembrey i went. let me no, and we will discuss this little matter further. gentleman,,