subject: Artificial Bait? Fish don't shy away from it, so neither should we anglers [print this page] Now artificial lures are one thingNow artificial lures are one thing. I know they work.
But artificial bait? "Surely not" I said to the chap in the tackle shop. "A waste of time and money."
"You should try it" he said, "It's good stuff."
"Really?" I said, meaning - 'You've got to be joking'
"It's good stuff" he said again,"You should try it."Swayed by his compelling argument, I bought a packet. Actually it was more of a re-sealable sachet, containing three small imitation squid in a strange gravy-like liquid.
It was destined to stay in my tackle box for some time. In fact it was almost a year later, and on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean that I looked at it again.
We were anchored in Prickly Bay, Grenada in the West Indies. Jigging had proved unproductive, I'd no natural bait and was under some pressure from Mary to get something for the barbecue.
It was then that I remembered the sachet of artificial squid bait.
With dusk almost upon us, I changed the jig for a paternoster rig, and put one of the strange-smelling squid on the bottom hook - with more than a little scepticism. It certainly looked like the real thing, but ...
Within seconds of it arriving on the seabed, some 10m (33 feet) below, the light spinning rod was almost jerked from my hands. No tentative knocks first - just 'bang' and away. I didn't have to strike, it hooked itself.
'It' turned out to be a Dog Snapper (so called because of its two canine-like front teeth) of around 5lbs. Yummee!
I put the rod away - interest turning instead to the barbecue on Alacazam's sternrail.
That defining event happened some years ago. I've since caught many good fish on artificial bait, although I have to say that it's much more effective if you apply some movement to it, rather than leaving it stationary on the seabed to fend for itself. I always have a good supply aboard our sailboat 'Alacazam'.
And there's several good reasons why you might want to do the same ...
Providing you keep the sachet sealed, the artificial bait remains 'fresh' (if that's the right word), and doesn't dry out.
If it has been allowed to dry out, or the flavour has leached out in use, the bait can be rejuvenated by dousing it in more 'gravy'.
It doesn't need refrigeration. Particularly good news this, as it leaves more room in the fridge for beers.
No more bait digging in glutinous mud, leaving more time for catching fish.
"Artificial Bait? You should try it - It's good stuff!".
Artificial Bait? Fish don't shy away from it, so neither should we anglers
