The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

I had a great session using cockles yesterday, 9 carp in an hour all in the 3 - 4lb bracket....small dart fished in the margins, lucky strike bent in half, proper fun.

I've never had much success with cockles on the river, has anyone else done well with them? my local river has a lot of fresh water mussels so I would expect them to work.

I use then for winter chub fishing when the river is too coloured for bread and occasionally for summer tench, again on the river......

Were the cockles fresh/frozen rather than from a jar?

I ask as I use the fresh/frozen one with success but have had nothing on the 'pickled' variety - just a warning.

Always fresh ones for me....

I've caught dozens and dozens of carp on cockles. Perch, crucians and tench seem to like them well enough as well.

The trouble with all this seafood as bait is that often the fish do not get a look in!

Where are you getting them from? Seem to have dissapeared from supermarkets these days

RightCharlie wrote: ↑Tue Jun 06, 2017 2:24 pm Where are you getting them from? Seem to have dissapeared from supermarkets these days

Bit seasonal, but Tesco and Morrison's usually have them in packs with the other seafood, and Waitrose usually have them 'out the back' frozen if you ask at the fish counter.

Thanks JAA, will have another look.
Used to buy them from Iceland but they disapeared as well as the packs of frozen sardines I used for piking!

Move to South Wales chaps. Loads of cockles but sadly fewer fish to go at with them!