Bloodworms are popular bait with match fishermen, usually for small fish, although many 'ordinary' anglers may never have used them at all. Most are familiar with them, having seen the bright red larvae in a rain butt or trough. The bright red colour is due to haemoglobin in their blood, this is also responsible for the colour of human blood. Bloodworm are banned in a lot of competitions and banned from a lot of club and day ticket waters, so check before you use them.
Bloodworm Storage
They should be stored in black garden peat which has been crushed and broken until it is a fine dust. Not only will this keep the larvae alive and active, but will also provide a binding medium for those that will be used as groundbait. The peat forms a black carpet on the bottom of the swim which is an attraction in itself. If hookbaits are kept for any length of time, they should be packed into damp moss and stood in a refrigerator where they will usually remain useful for several weeks.
Bloodworm Hooking Tips
Hooking bloodworm is an art. Only the smallest fine wire hooks should be used, in sizes 20 to 24. These hooks should be mounted on a 12oz or - at the most - a 1lb breaking strain hook length. Lay the bloodworm on your thumbnail, then pierce the end of the worm with the hook point and gently ease it onto the hook. Good eyesight is important to avoid splitting the worm open.
Float Fishing Bloodworm
The float is a very important item in bloodworm fishing. Often the hook bait is taken 'on the drop' by small fish, and so should be fished at about 18" deep. This means that the float must be small and require very few shots to cock it, and these should be mounted immediately below the float. Most importantly, the tip of the float showing above the surface of the water should be as thin as possible so that the slightest touch on the bait will produce an immediate response.
Tips For Fishing Bloodworm Fish Bait
A tight line tactic pays excellent dividends with bloodworm fishing, and the most effective instrument to achieve this is the pole. This method also prevents any undue strain on the bait from casting. The bait is very delicate, and would usually be thrown off the hook during a cast. Carp up to 5lb are not uncommon to be caught on this tactic, and considering the delicate tackle, this fact shows how effective it can be. Several bloodworms can be mounted on the hook in a ball, or along with a maggot in cocktail bait is often used by specimen hunters on hard waters.
Carp - like all coarse fish - love to eat bloodworm it's a perfectly natural bait for them and if they come amongst a bloodworm batch in the lake they will tear it up to feast on them. Ocean Fresh has explored this area cleverly and has come up with a range of bloodworm products for the specimen hunter, the match professional and the pleasure angler to enjoy, they containhigh levels of natural bloodworms and bloodworm extracts.