Easy to find bait
Mussels are one of the most readily available baits for anglers. It is possible to find them in abundance in the natural state, hanging on rocks or structures.
But to be sure to find shellfish with the desired size, it is easier to get them from your fishmonger or fishing store. Its affordable price allows fishermen to stock up on bait at a lower cost.
With or without shell?
The big advantage of mussels is that they attract a large number of fish of all sizes in search of food. An advantage that can quickly turn into a disadvantage when you decide to target the beautiful fish.
But fortunately, the mussel alone can solve almost all the problems. If you only want to catch nice fish, you will have to use the whole mussel with its shell.
A very good way to keep away small and unwanted predators. Used with its shell it will be intended for the search of sparidae, gilthead bream, sar, pike, which thanks to their dentition will be able to easily crush the shell to feast on the flesh.
The peeled mussel will be used to fish for bass or wolfish, mullet, oblade and all rock fish. The peeled mussel gives off many scents that quickly attract fish in the vicinity.
Use
Whole or shelled, the mussel is a very good bait for fishing in rocky areas or near rocks and of course mussel beds. It can be used from the shore to fish with different techniques (blow, surfcasting, wedged). A bait to use also in boat to fish with the longline or with the technique of the fishing with the stone for example.
When using a whole mussel, strong iron hooks of a large size from N° 4 to 3/0 should be used to resist the powerful jaws of sparids. Smaller hooks, from N°18 to 4 can be used to fish only with the flesh of the shellfish. Hook sizes to be chosen according to the bites presented and the targeted fish.
