As far as baits go, there is normally little common ground between the three codes of angling.
Game fishing is largely restricted to flies and there are few if any baits that can cross the divide between the sea and coarse branches.
There are a few exceptions, like mullet taken on bread, but even worms cannot be interchanged between sea an
d fresh water.
The only other one is sea dead baits, like herring and sprat, for freshwater predators. It can be seen that baits are largely very specialised in their applications.
Offhand, I can think of only one other bait that can be used successfully in both arenas. Shellfish. Or, more precisely, cockles and I am not referring to the ones treated liberally with black pepper and vinegar which can be bought on the sea front on little plates.
Certainly, sea fish can be caught on cockles and one advantage of this bait is that it will stay on the hook well and have some resistance against crab attack. But in freshwater? Well, some species find them most attractive.
Cockles used in freshwater are nearly always straight from the supermarket shelves. Preferably, they should be fresh but if you have to use the bottled variety it is essential to drain off the liquor and give them a thorough wash and soak to remove all traces of taint.
Users of this bait have noticed a strange feature. On some waters fish take to cockles instantly. On other waters, it is impossible to get a bite without lengthy pre-baiting and even then the fish are distinctly 'half-ish' towards them until they have been properly weaned.
What actually causes this difference in approach is difficult to assess. My own personal view is that the 'instant' waters have probably seen covert introductions of the bait over a period by other, secretive, anglers.
The species that takes to this unlikely freshwater bait the most readily is the tench and probably the next most willing taker is the carp.
From my own experience, I know that my best tench have come on cockles and so I am happy to recommend them. But remember that you might have to be patient until the fish have got the taste.
Last year's forecast that the recent late autumn was going to produce good catches of codling have proved spot on.
Fish are being taken in large numbers all along the coast. Although night tides are by far the best, good catches are being taken during the day from deep water marks.
Boats in the harbour are reporting reliable catches of codling and whiting and river catches of flounder are being taken occasional bass –and usually they are the big ones – and soles are turning up just about everywhere.
It is a good time to dust off your tackle and grab a piece of the action.
BURY ST EDMUNDS ANGLING ASSOCIATION. The veterans/disabled group fished last week's match at Barrow Lake and found the going pretty rough, what with gin-clear water that was well below the normal and expected level.
The consequence, of course, was that few fish were prepared to take baits and three of the anglers were completely without fish.
The winner of the event was Jack Wetherill, who weighed in 10lb 8oz. He was followed by Mick Staveley with 6lb 2oz and, in third position, was John Barnett, who had 4lb 15oz.
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