"How to obtain fresh Sandeels"

[skatenchips]

Having used large sandeels(launce) and caught Plaice
down Off Dartmouth.
I wondered if They were caught and used for bait along the
south coast at all..??

But I was really interested to know how and where to obtain
fresh eels for use on beach marks as living at Heathrow
its impossible .....Ive seen guys with buckets and airiator
devices on the beach but have never asked.
Where they brought em from,if indeed they brought em at all.


Gazza

[Pete B]

As Juniors we we're shown how to net them from the banks in Langstone harbour, it was good fun, 2 man job though.
Were feathering for the launce in Alderney, they were tough enough to withstand unhooking and still good in the live tank for hours. I expect they could be netted elsewhere but you can take more than enough with the little larve feathers.

[squidlips]

alans marine in portsmouth used to sell live sand eels
if i remember right they were £30 per 100

[squideyebarnes]

I had a sand eel trawl with doors like a mini trawl net chain on the bottom boys on the top which you towed behind the boat on sand.We tyred many places round yarmouth Hurst was crap was good once.Totland bay had some eels but all were small.Compton bay had some medium eel but more weaver than eels.Christchuch beach was all Bass sizable to :oBest places were boscombe Pier and Poole with lovely large eels! you also get small fish sole plaice brill flounder weaver sting 6am soon wakes you up ;D

[The Codfather of Sole]

My very favourite bait There are a few marks round here where you can collect launce on sabikis, best time is early summer. Look for the shellgrit banks that the launce prefer, if you find these Tubot, Brill and Bass will not be far away.

They tend to come out of hiding at slack to hunt, but you will get them through the tide too. Adding a pirk will improve catch rate and has the added bonus of other larger fish from time to time. Fish the feathers, bumping the pirk on the bottom.

They are extremely hardy, and basic aeration and a water change will keep them alive long enough to fish with (reject any bleeding or torn eels), and the leftovers freeze very well (deadly for Blonde Ray with Squid)

Hauling from the beach used to be good but not in recent years