Due to the time and effort involved in finding and then collecting ones’ own supply, bloodworm and joker are commonly ordered through specialist importers such as tackle shops during the winter period. You must also ensure you have the permission of the owner of the waterbody before getting started. Simon 'Motty' Mottram nearly lost his life in pursuit of bloodworm on one occasion, being saved only by the prompt actions of Chris Harvey and eventually the local fire brigade. If you are contemplating doing this, we advise taking extreme care and thinking about water safety. You can collect bloodworm by hand using a home-made scraper, which is dragged through the top few inches of the silt. Due to their small size, very small fine wire hooks (size 22 or smaller) and fine lines are a must for optimal bait presentation. This makes them some match anglers' favourite bait. UK anglers wishing to represent their nations at international level will certainly need to hone both their bloodworm and joker fishing skills.īloodworm and joker are considered extremely effective, especially during the winter months when their small size and active movement makes them extremely attractive to fish such as roach, bream, perch, gudgeon and ruffe. Bloodworm and joker are much more commonly used in mainland Europe. Natural but controversial?ĭespite bloodworm being the most natural of all fishing baits, it has attracted much controversy especially in times gone by, but still the spirited debate about the pros and cons of its use rages on. In a recent article, Billy made the interesting and valid point that UK waters containing joker in significant numbers were way too polluted to have ever contained fish life. It was here that a young Billy Makin first saw the men of Wigan plying their trade as joker collectors. In times gone by, many rivers in urban areas were full of joker, the River Douglas in the Wigan area being a prime example. Jokers are found in polluted streams, such as those below sewage outfalls where oxygen levels are depleted. You do need good eyesight to put a single joker on a size 24 or 26 fine wire hook. It may surprise you to learn that two or three jokers, or even a single specimen, may also be used as a hook bait. The larvae of a much smaller species of midge, jokers are primarily used as loose feed in combination with bloodworm as hook baits. Bloodworm thrives in low oxygen conditions.
They are probably the most prolific source of natural food for bottom-feeding fish, such as gudgeon, bream, carp and tench. There are many different species of bloodworm, but those associated with angling live in the silty bottom of most waterbodies.
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