Mussel
Mytilus galloprovincialis
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The Scent of the Open Sea
If we are looking for a bait that smells of the sea more than anything else, that bait is the Mussel.
It is perhaps the most misunderstood bait of all. Many anglers avoid it because it is awkward to keep on the hook, but the old hands know that the strong iodine smell it gives off is irresistible.
It is the bait that connects the fish most directly to its own environment, because it is a staple food for many species.
It is perhaps the most misunderstood bait of all. Many anglers avoid it because it is awkward to keep on the hook, but the old hands know that the strong iodine smell it gives off is irresistible.
It is the bait that connects the fish most directly to its own environment, because it is a staple food for many species.
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🔍 Description and Characteristics
The mussel is a bait we can find with no effort at all.
Whether we buy it fresh from the fishmonger or, better still, collect it ourselves off the rocks (taking care that the water is clean), what we hold in our hands is a stick of flavour dynamite.
The flesh inside has a characteristic orange or yellowish colour and is extremely soft.
That soft texture is its strength and its weakness at the same time.
It releases its scent into the water immediately and pulls fish in from a distance, but it falls apart easily if it is not handled properly.
Whether we buy it fresh from the fishmonger or, better still, collect it ourselves off the rocks (taking care that the water is clean), what we hold in our hands is a stick of flavour dynamite.
The flesh inside has a characteristic orange or yellowish colour and is extremely soft.
That soft texture is its strength and its weakness at the same time.
It releases its scent into the water immediately and pulls fish in from a distance, but it falls apart easily if it is not handled properly.
🪝 Baiting Technique and Equipment
Baiting with mussel is an art, and it absolutely requires one secret weapon. Elastic thread.
Shelled (the flesh): Open the mussel with a small knife, take out the flesh and pass it onto the hook.
Because it is so soft, it is essential to wrap it tightly with elastic thread, turning it into a firm little sausage that will not fly off on the cast and will survive a few nibbles.
For big Gilthead Seabream we can bait the mussel whole or lightly cracked.
Pass the hook through the shell so that only the point sticks out.
The fish is forced to crack the shell to feed, and that snapping sound works like a dinner bell for the rest of them.
Shelled (the flesh): Open the mussel with a small knife, take out the flesh and pass it onto the hook.
Because it is so soft, it is essential to wrap it tightly with elastic thread, turning it into a firm little sausage that will not fly off on the cast and will survive a few nibbles.
For big Gilthead Seabream we can bait the mussel whole or lightly cracked.
Pass the hook through the shell so that only the point sticks out.
The fish is forced to crack the shell to feed, and that snapping sound works like a dinner bell for the rest of them.
🎣 Targets and Catches
The mussel is the weakness of the sea bream family.
The Gilthead Seabream is in love with mussel. It is its natural food and it has the teeth to crush it.
White Seabream and Brown Meagre will attack the scent straight away.
Striped Seabream and large Pandora will not let it go to waste either.
The Gilthead Seabream is in love with mussel. It is its natural food and it has the teeth to crush it.
White Seabream and Brown Meagre will attack the scent straight away.
Striped Seabream and large Pandora will not let it go to waste either.
⚖️ Pros and Cons
On the plus side, it is cheap or free and easy to get hold of.
Its smell is unrivalled and brings fish in quickly. It is a bait that works all year round.
On the minus side, its soft nature makes it vulnerable.
Without elastic thread it will leave the hook before it even touches the water.
On top of that, small fish adore it and can strip it in seconds, leaving us with a bare hook without our ever noticing.
Its smell is unrivalled and brings fish in quickly. It is a bait that works all year round.
On the minus side, its soft nature makes it vulnerable.
Without elastic thread it will leave the hook before it even touches the water.
On top of that, small fish adore it and can strip it in seconds, leaving us with a bare hook without our ever noticing.
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