Maggots!

[Andrew Jackson]

The only Barbel fishing I have really done this season (apart from a few trips to the H. Avon) is on the middle Severn. It suits me and the amount of time I want to put into it - apart from the drive to get there!).
With so much now centred around a pellet or boilie approach I thought I'd mention my last visit ( last week). The river was low and clear and after a couple of days of catching just the odd Barbel and some Chub on the boilie/ pellet approach I thought I'd nip into Bridgnorth and get some maggots to try a different approach.
The area I was fishing I was confident held Barbel but they weren't interested really.
What a difference. 7 hours and 15 Barbel to a level 12lb was a revelation! I used about 3 pints of bait ( 2 of maggots and 1 of hemp) and regular casting with a feeder supplemented with feed from a bait dropper on a second rod kept them going non stop pretty much all afternoon after the first hour to get them going. They were still going when I packed in at 6 pm ( no night fishing). All but one were good Middle Severn fish.
You could say it doesn't necessarily prove much though I do know once again it has jogged me into re- visiting what was once a standard approach for me years ago on the Stour and Avon and reminded me of what I was missing!

 

[Ash Gould]

I think that is what is known as good angling.

Well done, sir

 

[Andrew Jackson]

I think that is what is known as good angling.

Well done, sir

Very kind Ash.

 

[Roger Pearman]

What does a pint of maggots go for these days. I distinctly remember maybe £2.50 in my youth.

 

[Alan Palmer]

Good work, I fish the Coalport stretch a few times a year and maggot feeder always proves a winner…live fishing this way as it keeps the bait going in little and often, keeps you attentive to what’s happening and you often bag good sized roach too

 

[Jim Brook]

What does a pint of maggots go for these days. I distinctly remember maybe £2.50 in my youth.

round my way (up north) £3.00 They’ve just gone up recently from £2.50 but I’m told this is still cheap compared to other parts!

 

[Jim Brook]

I was recommended to try dead maggots bulked out with hemp either in a open end feeder with a ground bait / stick mix or in a black cap feeder by a renowned barbel angler local to the Severn.

 

[Etienne Harvey]

Well done Andrew, a cracking session made possible by ringing the changes in your approach to bait. I always take multiple different baits with me as you never know what the fish are wanting. Maggots from my local tackle shop are £4 a pint.

 

[Andrew Jackson]

What does a pint of maggots go for these days. I distinctly remember maybe £2.50 in my youth.

Round about 4 quid Roger. I think you can get away with a few pints plus hemp from now onwards so not too bad cost wise.

 

[Andrew Jackson]

Good work, I fish the Coalport stretch a few times a year and maggot feeder always proves a winner…live fishing this way as it keeps the bait going in little and often, keeps you attentive to what’s happening and you often bag good sized roach too

Thanks Alan. Yes you can tell alot more about the fish in your swim fishing maggots. Roach particularly are always welcome. If I lived more locally I would target the Roach properly.

 

[Andrew Jackson]

Well done Andrew, a cracking session made possible by ringing the changes in your approach to bait. I always take multiple different baits with me as you never know what the fish are wanting. Maggots from my local tackle shop are £4 a pint.

Thanks Etienne. Easy to become complacent and rely on just boilies and pellets. If you have a slow day you will never know if another bait/approach would have worked better.

 

[Ben Marr]

£ 4.50 to £ 5 per pint here...

 

[Andrew Jackson]

£ 4.50 to £ 5 per pint here...

Personally Ben the way I am approaching it is to only use them in specific circumstances. You know, low clear water, lower temperatures. Many times they are unnecessary and there are better options. On their day though..... I agree with you though, can be blinking expensive compared to the old days!

 

[Andrew Jackson]

I was recommended to try dead maggots bulked out with hemp either in a open end feeder with a ground bait / stick mix or in a black cap feeder by a renowned barbel angler local to the Severn.

It is Jim! See how us southerners are ripped off!