Crayfish Resistant Baits - Am I just dreaming?

[Dales]

Think you've only got two choices Dales, either use a bait they don't like or keep the bait moving.

 

I think that sums up all the options quiet nicely, so it's trotting bread then

[gorton]

Hi Dales

 

Dont know where you are fishing the Lea obviously but I would say the crayfish problem has receded slightly in the last few years.

 

Around seven to eight years ago it was possible to go crayfishing below Fieldes Weir where the old power station water intake is and catch up to 500 in a two to three hour stint with four drop nets and the river was absolutely stiff with them upstream and down.

 

I fish the Lea reasonably regularly and in the last couple of seasons certainly in the Rye House, Fieldes Weir, Stort catchment area have noticed a decline in their numbers. In fact I fished the Stort a week or so ago up above the first lock from Fieldes Weir and caught lots of small fish on the bottom without seeing one of the little buggers. Although interestingly while I was fishing there were a couple of mink coming from the far bank and hunting under the towpath side and returning with their catch to what I guess were youngsters on the far side. I think they were searching for the crayish says it all really one invasive species eating amother invasive species.

 

I have tried over the last few seasons not to overfeed baits especially maggots in groudbait as once they find it they seem to invite all their mates and have relied more on hempseed especially in the warmer months as an attractor for the coarse fish whilst fishing different baits in amongst it.

 

Cold winter temperatures certainly slow them down and I have had some good success fishing bread for the chub and more than a few trout. If it is cold I have never found them a problem with deadbaits for piking the bigger problem being our EE friends who seem to be on a mission to remove every pike from the river if that is not politically correct I apologise but I am afraid it is a fact.

 

The Lea holds some surprisingly good fish in places and there are certain areas where you have got it to yourself especially in winter let us know how you get on.

 

 

 

I have

[Dales]

Hi Gorton

 

I got the Carthegena ticket that covers the weir pool at Carthegena Lock, Dobbs Weir and two and half miles of the river Lee plus the section of the river Lynch that flows through the Carthegena Fishery site. My main plan is to fish the Carthegena Weir and sections of the river that fall within the fishery boundary away from public access and will be doing some stalking on the river Lynch. I may venture out in to the public areas for some lure fishing, but my instant thoughts are how pleasent it is to fish moving waters but behind closed doors so to speak. Plus I think my head has already been turned by the lakes on the site and may look in to a Carp ticket next season. So I am not sure how much Lee fishing I will get done away from the Carthegena site.

[gorton]

Check out the lakes first Dales last I heard Reggie and Ronnie lived there as well

[Dales]

Check out the lakes first Dales last I heard Reggie and Ronnie lived there as well

 

They must be invested with them being so close to the river, but I think they have done a nice job on the fishery. The lakes look really good, very picturesque with plenty of planting and nice secluded swims. The little fellows may be an issue but I would rather struggle in a nice looking setting then have easy fishing in a dull plain setting. I think one of the lakes used to be called "Heart Break" so maybe it might be hard but they seem to have some stunning looking fish and I will always pick a good looking fish over just a huge lump.

[Anderoo]

Youtube Video ->

[Rob Ward]

Youtube Video ->

 

Drool...

[Phone]

Dales,

 

Since I've never caught any fish other than carp and a couple accidental strays the names of which I forget I'll give you my advice out of arrogance.

 

We do have crayfish (crawdads). Since the "target" fish and the crawdads often share the same food source I recommend fishing with what the crawdads like BEST and just make sure it is a resistant bait. Fortunately you have an advantage - you're smarter. Size up you crawdads. Now you must fish a depth that barely keeps the tail and outstretched pincers (pinchers) of the crawdad off the bottom. They really really don't like being outstreatched vertically. Over here I usually can get away with an eight inch bottom bouncer. With the size of your "signal crayfish" you may have to go to a twelve incher and a short hooklink. Bottom bouncers work like movable pop-up.

 

Equally, crawdads are content to be "last" to feed and are very suspicious of motion. Add a Colorado spinner blade (smallest possible) to any bait - ANY BAIT (they make great hair stops, just don't snug the bait against them where there are crawdads). Also, if I'm still fishing I try to add motion with small amounts of Alka Seltzer (you have something like that I'm sure - Alka Seltzer is a brand). (Artifical chemical motion is a pain in the arce but WORKS)

 

Lastly, I use crawdad oil spray. Crawdads are equally suspicious of that particular scent and conversely it is an attractant to most 'target' fish.

 

Ohh, I don't believe hungry fish are spooked by objects that shine. It is an often used excuse for poor angler watercraft and a big blank session. In clear water use the smallest silver blade and as the water becomes more dingy move from gold toward blue.

 

Phone

[Dales]

Double post

Edited August 3, 2011 by Dales

[Dales]

[quote name='Anderoo' post='4317673' date='Aug 2 2011, 04:04 PM

 

Matt Hayes Part 1

 

Yeah, that's the no fishing area I saw the monsters in.

Edited August 3, 2011 by Dales