I tend to look for the more rocky / gritty areas for rag worm, always go that little bit deeper with the fork as its cold so the worms will be down deep. they will be there

 

Yep I agree. Mud and rocks for rag, sand for lug and white rag. Generally the rag is better further up the harbour

 

thanks guys i will try that, i did notice some more rocky patches but didnt fancy digging them

 

thanks guys i will try that, i did notice some more rocky patches but didnt fancy digging them

if you had dug in the stony patches you saw, you would have dug ragworm

 

Bear in mind rag are hard to find at he moment at Poole but you must dig amongst the crappy stuff to get any at all , you will find this nearest to the harbour wall edge , further out it becomes sandy .

 

Sometimes I've fished to the side of Lake Pier at Rockley and the ground is cratered like the Somme, someone is either wasting time there or digging rag.

If I'm that way I buy 'em at the shop just up the road; top bait and cheap.

 

Let some other mug dig it and support the tackle shops a bit mate

 

I don't know a single digger who'd like being called a mug ...but I buy all my own soooooo

 

Sorry typo man I meant

 

thanks for the advice, i will know better next time! I do buy most of my worms from tackle shops but i enjoy digging and its hard to save money without a job!

 

The Southern IFCA always seem to be doing bait-digging surveys in Poole harbour

Not sure if the following applies to the 'shore road' area because i don't live anywhere near Poole but maybe worth a read

8 January 2016,
Memorandum of Agreement for Bait Digging within Poole Harbour​

From 1st November to 30th March, bait diggers are asked to avoid key bird sensitive areas of Poole Harbour to help prevent disturbance to overwintering and passage birds of national and international importance.

This seasonal closure is part of a suite of measures introduced under the Memorandum of Agreement for Bait Digging in Poole Harbour, which establishes a joint approach to management of bait digging with the aim of developing and maximising opportunities to protect and improve the marine environment of the inshore waters in the Harbour and to further its sustainable use for the purposes of conservation of biodiversity, recreation, amenity and education.

The area of Poole Harbour is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA), Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Ramsar site. The site is designated for a number of habitats and species of conservation interest and competent authorities have a responsibility under the Habitats and Species Regulations (2010) to ensure that these habitats and species are protected.

The Agreement sets out a number of provisions to avoid impacts on the Poole Harbour European Marine Site (EMS). In addition to the above seasonal closures for areas defined as particularly sensitive to disturbance, bait digging is prohibited all year round in the area north of the railway bridge in Holes Bay. Diggers are asked to avoid the remainder of Holes Bay between 1st January and 29th February. Bait digging is prohibited within seagrass beds all year round under the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority byelaw 'Prohibition of gathering (sea fisheries resources) in seagrass beds'.

Diggers are also reminded about the importance of backfilling any holes which are dug as those which are not backfilled can take many weeks to refill naturally (depending on the tide and wave action of a particular area). This can reduce the area available for feeding birds and can pose a safety risk to other users of the Harbour. Diggers are also asked to dig bait sustainably and adhere to all local byelaws and regulations.

The Agreement was developed in 2014 by the Poole Bait Working Group. Administered by the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority, the Working Group brings together relevant authorities, nature conservation bodies and representatives of the industry with the aim to manage bait collection activity in Poole Harbour. The group hopes that the joint approach to management of bait digging activity will protect the marine environment in Poole Harbour whilst allowing sustainable bait collection to continue.

Sea Angling contributes substantially to the local economy and supports many businesses including those engaged with bait collection. The Agreement will encourage sustainability of the industry which in turn will support and contribute to sea angling across the Southern IFCA District and the wider south coast.

http://www.southern-ifca.gov.uk/news

 

nice one for posting that up fishosopher,good bit of info about digging in the harbour that i didnt realise,i rarely venture up stream to the areas affected by the temp ban but good to know all the same.cheers

 

The Southern IFCA always seem to be doing bait-digging surveys in Poole harbour

Because of a certain type of digger but nothing will be done no resources

you can dig just not around the seagrass and you must backfill but this still does not happen as capn haddock states

The rag will be getting ready to spawn in the harbour so i would use the lug

but as per previous posts dig down bit deeper did you try the rocky bit by evening hill
​

 

I pay £9 for a pound of ragworm and split it with my mate, I couldn't dig that in a hour for that price. Some say fresh dug out fishes brought in ragworm but I can't see that personally

 

I had ago at bait digging today at Bramblebush bay in Poole harbour, I got about 30 rag, 25 white worm and a dozen or so Lug., enough for a flattie bashing evening session.

Bass not invited. : (

 

nice, bit of a struggle for me to get over that way as i have to pay for the chain ferry