Big fish eat little fish, but which ones are best for bait. Whilst many fish will eat anything that fits in their mouths not all are suitable for bait. When there is a lot of undersize fish about nicking the bait the use of small baitfish can help target out the bigger specimens
HERRING AND MACKEREL
Grouped here together because they are treat in much the same way. Use whole fish for shark and conger, Conger are a rare catch in north east england, although the rocks off Craster and Dunstanburgh have been know to produce. Removing the backbone so the two flanks are separate and can flap freely is a good way to present this bait. Shark fishing is unheard of from the beaches around here. More commonly these fish are cut into bite size strips before use. They give off a lot of scent and are unbeatable for coalies in the summer. Thin strips fished with a float will produce bags full of mackerel from almost any pier in the summer. When the shoals are in it is worth taken a few for dinner and bait but don't go crazy, dozens of dead fish next to you impresses no one and you risk a earful from more conservation minded anglers. Mackerel are also caught using feathers or any small shiny lure on light tackle. Although mackerel and herring can be bought frozen from bait shops they often turn to a mush when defrosted. Fish mongers are a better source but buy ready filleted as you will get more for your money and make sure they have not been smoked.
PILCHARDS, SARDINES
No not the tinned ones, I've tried them they don't work. These can be bought frozen in many supermarkets and fish mongers. Like mackerel and herring they are an oily fish giving off plently of scent. Being smaller they can be used whole when a mackeral would be too large or cut into strips. Warning, it is a good idea to keep the bag marked "pilchards" with you when fishing in case someone accuses you of killing undersized fish for bait.
SANDEELS AND LANCE FISH
Sandeels can be used live by hooking threw the upper lip or threw the base of the eye socket using a fine wire hook. There is a space here so little damage is done. Dead sandeels are hooked by sliding them mouth first on to the hook and turning so the hook comes out the anal area. The quality of frozen sandeels varies from bait shop to bait shop with those which turn mushy best avoided in future. Sandeels are best fished with a light rig with a long snood that moves around giving the impression that the sandeel is struggling in the surf. It is common to find cod and whiting stuffed full of sandeels. Live Sandeels cast poorly, ripping lose if any real power is applied. Live sandeels are caught in seine nets or found buried in the sand along the low watermark. Keep cold and well aerated in a non metal container.
Lance fish are bought frozen from pet shops. Make sure you get the larger size (about 2 inches) and make a good alternative to sandeels when a smaller bait is needed. Unlike sandeels they may be fed to pet fish at home. If the fishing tackle shop is closed or out of bait pet shops can be a good alternative
WHITEBAIT
Bags of these little silver fish can be bought cheaply from fishmongers. Defrost enough for your trip because they dont refreeze well.
OTHER SMALL FISH
Rock pools are full of small fish which at first though could be used as bait. However unless you know what is what it is best to leave them alone. Some may be rare or endangered species, others will may have defensive mechanisms to deter predators and all will have cryptic colouration for camouflage. Undersized fish should be returned alive to the water and not rehooked as live bait unless there is a very good chance it will be taken. Estuaries in late summer are often jammed packed with very small flounder (often making fishing impossible) and although we've all found them inside cod and whiting should be left alone. Many aquarists buy or breed goldfish and livebearers (guppies, mollies etc) to feed to pet fish but these are too expensive for fishing.