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Maggots are a very popular and traditional bait, they can be bought in many different varieties. It is also fairly cheap, about a couple of pounds for a pint.
TIP - It is important to buy fresh maggots, they will last longer and have a dark 'feed' spot clearly visible.
MAGGOTS
Maggots are the larvae of the Bluebottle and are the largest of the 'true' maggots, they are about 10 to 12 mm long. There are probably more fish caught on maggots than any other bait. What fish could resist a large juicy maggot, wriggling enticingly on the bottom of a pond or lake? Maggots can be bought in different colours, white ('natural'), orange or 'bronze' (dyed with Chrysiodine), yellow (dyed with Auramine) and red (dyed with Rhodamine). Red maggots appear to be particularly effective for perch and bottom feeders such as bream and tench.
Hooking - All of the types of maggot are hooked in the same way, they have a fat end and a pointed end. At the fat end, there is a fleshy lobe of skin, the hook should be just nicked through this. Don't use too big a hook, otherwise the maggot will burst.
TIP - Maggots can be made to float, pour just enough water to cover the bottom of a plastic container, and let a dozen or so maggots crawl around in it for about 10 minutes. They will start to take in air so that they will float. Do not put too much water to cover the maggots or they will drown.
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