Rag wrestling

[DaveHaddock]

Baiting with big, vigorous ragworm can be a bit of a struggle particularly when they are slippery and insist on sinking their pincers into your thumb. You spend more time and effort trying to steer clear of the business end of the worm than concentrating on decent bait presentation.

Solution: Before trying to impale them with the hook, drop them on the sand (if present) and roll them over. The coating of sand lets you get a better grip on the ragworm allowing you to pop the hookpoint between the pincers and then easily thread the worm along the hook shank.

[IDPearl]

Doesn't that hurt the poor worm? :cry:

[DAMIEN]

also if you thread them onto a baiting needle makes life easier

[BigPhil]

i often chuck in some sand into the bait box with them just to make them a little less slippery just before use if they are aggressive little buggers! :wink:

[Wayne]

Try keeping them in newspaper in the bait fridge over night, this dry's them up nicely (No longer slimmy). Also use a large baiting needle.

[Bob]

one of the places I get worms from keeps them in polythene balls (beanbag stuffing). It keeps them really well and in an easy to handle condition. The only downside is that it generates more rubish to bring home

[squalus]

If you can get a hold of pearlite and the place the worms in it a few hours before fishing, itthey dry up enough to get on the hook

[hairyconger]

If you can get a hold of pearlite and the place the worms in it a few hours before fishing, itthey dry up enough to get on the hook

Sorry just try not to use them they are disgussting if the fish are taking other baits use them

[Guest]

If you can get a hold of pearlite and the place the worms in it a few hours before fishing, itthey dry up enough to get on the hook

Sorry just try not to use them they are disgussting if the fish are taking other baits use them

Quite right :D

[Drew]

Don't Disrespect the Ragworm, King of Baits! True. :P

[Livid]

Don't Disrespect the Ragworm, King of Baits! True. :P

You're so scared they'll bite you, you cut their heads off - True. :lol:

[SIMPO]

MIX YOUR WORMS IN SOME FAMICALITE. THIS IS THE STUFF YOU CAN BUY FROM ANY PLUMBING CENTRE. IT IS USED IN THE BACK OF FIRES TO DRY UP WATER AND STORE HEAT. EXCELLENT STUFF. FOR A LARGE SACK OF THE STUFF COSTS AROUND £15

[BigPhil]

it aint good for your bait though if you wanna keep it for any length of time, dries it out too much.

[rab 525]

fermiclite does dry ur bait up, but i have kept rag in it in a fridge in my shed for a fortnight+ still alive + caught fish, i found rag in weed or newspaper only kept a week max,at this time of year i dig a load of bait when tide +daylight + work permit and try to keep as long as poss and use over 3--4 trips, an old worm is still better than no worms at all.
rab

[beachcaster]

the best thing i have found for keeping ragworm is sea peat,i know it can be hard to get but all you do is put the worms in it and dampen with sea water keep for 10-14 days in a fridge no problem.check ever so often the peat is still damp to the touch.

[BigPhil]

or if you want to keep the bait this time of year or anytime for thatmatter, tank it in seawater with an aerator pump running in it, change the water and remove any broken worms etc every couple of days and it should last for a few weeks, some weed added also helps and a fine layer of sand at the bottom for rag apparently helps them keep their red colour better

[dinger]

thats what i do and it works i treat, i found that rag will b alright in the tank for a 6 weeks, when there bad tides on the way i just dig them in advance :D :D :D

[MAC]

nice idea.... would a simple sponge filter help even more??? The sponge filters work very well in lightly populated aquariums and are easy to make.

Kev

[stevecrow74]

When i saw the title of the post i though someone came up with a new way to make a bit of money during competitions and outings, by getting two rag to wrestle in a bucket somehow.....

anyway..

when ever i use lively rag i some times put them on the sand for a second to dry them off and get them gritty and it makes it a bit easier to hook the little buggers.....