Bait Guide
Worm
Lugworm
The default UK beach worm. Blow and black lug both catch. A bunch on a flapper is the winter night-shift.
Easy
Presentation
Thread the worm so the hook is hidden and the tail still moves. A bunch for bigger fish; a single for dabs.
A sand worm sold in most UK tackle shops. Blow lug is softer and juicy. Black lug is tougher and better for a long chuck. They are the same bait family, handled slightly differently — not two mysteries.
Ranked from the species list. Commonly used — not a guarantee of catching.
- CodStrong target
- DabStrong target
- Five-bearded rocklingStrong target
- FlounderStrong target
- HaddockStrong target
- Lemon soleStrong target
- PlaiceStrong target
- Poor codStrong target
- PoutingStrong target
- Red gurnardStrong target
- Tub gurnardStrong target
- WhitingStrong target
- Dover soleGood target
- European eelGood target
- Lesser weeverGood target
- Red mulletGood target
- Shore rocklingGood target
- Spotted rayGood target
- Thornback rayGood target
- BassPossible target
- Golden-grey mulletPossible target
- Lesser spotted dogfishPossible target
- Small-eyed rayPossible target
- 1Keep the worms cool until you bait up.
- 2Pick a hook that matches the bulk — often size 4–1 on a general beach, larger for a bunch aimed at codling.
- 3Thread so the hook is mostly hidden and the tail can still move.
- 4A single worm for dabs; a bunch, bound if you need the extra, for bigger fish.
- 5Keep the hook point clear.