[sync_or_swim]

Hi Guys,

I've just had a session on the Loughor estuary near Llanelli and was hoping to target flounder with a two-down flatfish rig, but was plagued by crabs. I would leave my bait (a couple of ragworm on a size 2 hook) in the water for about 5 minutes and would reel in to find bare hooks. I tried increasing hook size and adding more bait and tried securing the worms with bait elastic but with the same result.

I was just wondering if anyone could suggest a particular bait that would still appeal to flat fish but stand up to crab attacks? Also, I have heard of polystyrene floats that make the bait bouyant, are these any good and do they still allow you to catch flatfish if you are fishing off the bottom?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[GeorgeD]

Peeler crab might not get eaten by crabs as quickly as worms in this situation.
Peelers are good for flatfish too :fishing:

 

[sync_or_swim]

George,

Many thanks for the reply. I wasn't aware that peeler would appeal to flat fish, I have always associated them with Bass, Cod and Wrasse only. I will definately give that a go next time I go.

What rig would you recommend to present the crab, a pennel?

 

[Phil Arnott]

Hi Guys,

I've just had a session on the Loughor estuary near Llanelli and was hoping to target flounder with a two-down flatfish rig, but was plagued by crabs. I would leave my bait (a couple of ragworm on a size 2 hook) in the water for about 5 minutes and would reel in to find bare hooks. I tried increasing hook size and adding more bait and tried securing the worms with bait elastic but with the same result.

I was just wondering if anyone could suggest a particular bait that would still appeal to flat fish but stand up to crab attacks? Also, I have heard of polystyrene floats that make the bait bouyant, are these any good and do they still allow you to catch flatfish if you are fishing off the bottom?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Generally lots of crab activity means there are no large fish about such as bass smoothies or thornback but small fish like sole and flounder can be amongst the crabs.

You are correct in that you can float the bait off the bottom but check it is working correctly. Don't put the float near the hook if you are using long snoods, put it about half way along but towards the hook end. Test the arrangement in the shallows in clear water so you can see. You are aiming to have the bait about 6" off the bottom.

Flounders will come right off the bottom it is not unusual to hook them in mid water when fishing a worm in mid water in freshwater.

 

[stevieh1]

try this out sync......i started using it as ive had the same problem whilst fishing for bass.
a flowing trace of about 3 ft of 25lb florocarbon , start off with a swivel at one end , slide on a bead,then something very bouyant eg wine cork, 1"section of sea float ect then a bead. tie on stop knots either side of beads so you can adjust the position of float. then your hook.i position the float approx 1ft from the hook.

 

[Dover Shark]

Have a look at this linky - http://www.gofishing.co.uk/Sea-Angl...Advice/Fishing-Tips/Sea-fishing-baits/crabs2/

Basically just squid wrapped bait making it abit tougher for the crabs to strip also some stuff called armoured mesh ??? from what i've heared its a load of bullocks...

 

[sync_or_swim]

Guys,

Thanks very much indeed for the advice, especially the link, thats a really interesting article and I'll definately try some of the tips!!

Thanks again.

 

[stevieh1]

Have a look at this linky - http://www.gofishing.co.uk/Sea-Angl...Advice/Fishing-Tips/Sea-fishing-baits/crabs2/

Basically just squid wrapped bait making it abit tougher for the crabs to strip also some stuff called armoured mesh ??? from what i've heared its a load of bullocks...

and expensive!!!