Maggots

[Myster]

hi all, when is the best time to buy maggots from a tackle shop and the best place/tempreture ???to keep thanks

[gozzer]

hi all, when is the best time to buy maggots from a tackle shop and the best place/tempreture ???to keep thanks

 

It depends on when your tackle shop gets a delivery.

If you look at the maggots you should see a small black mark, just behind the head. The bigger the mark the fresher the maggot, it means they are fresh off the feed, and will keep longer.

If there is no mark, then they are old maggots, and need using pretty soon, or bought for turning to casters.

There is no temp' chart that I know of, but try to keep them cool, in warm weather, it slows down the change to chrysalis. Keep them in a container that allows them to 'breathe', I like the old cloth maggot bags, but most use a bait box.

Sprinkle a little sawdust or ground bait on them, it cuts down on friction, and helps keep them cooler.

 

John.

[Guest Rabbit]

You can buy them any time from the tackle shop assuming they are stocked and the shop is open.

 

As far as keeping the things then if you plan to feep them for a period of more than a day in the summer, best keep them in a fridge, if you dont have a bait fridge you can always but a cheap one from the local paper.

If you want to keep them for a longer period, place them in plastics bags, and make sure all the air is removed before sealing the bag with a freezer bag tie. Keep stored in a fridge. You will need to untie the bag every day, shake the maggots and reseal.

 

Another way is a cool box.

 

Or you can do as I have done a few times after a evening session, leave them in a van with a ill fitting lid, and in the morning spend an hour or so sweeping / hoovering them up. Of course you never get 'em all, and within three weeks you can enjoy the company of a thousand blue bottles

[Myster]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ nice idea but no van

plus d wife would kill me but thanks for all your answers

[lutra]

I like to keep them in the fridge but I do find permission to do so relies on how long they were in there last time & if the lid was on right. O & as said don't let them sweat lots of dry powder (ground bait, saw dust, flour even curry powder).

[Unimexsol]

The cooler you can keep them the better. If you are doing an afternoon's fishing and plan to use the same batch of maggots the next day then try to replace the bait box lid and keep them in the shade.

 

Wherever you keep them I highly recommend that you don't forget about them as opening a 4 week old box of dead rotting maggots is an olafactory experience that you won't want to repeat!

[Chris Goddard]

Try FREEZING them!! That way they don't get everywhere!! Think I am having you on?? Ask Archie Braddocks!!!

[rarepleasures]

If you've bought a pint or more I'd recommend splitting them into 2 or more bait boxes.

Riddle off the old sawdust after a day and replenish with maize flour bought from a local ethnic supermarket.

[Elton]

I've had some in the fridge for a week. Must check on them later

 

And yes, I do have a separate bait fridge....which is also my beer fridge

[Patch]

lay a cloth over the maggots in warm weather