The Traditional Fisherman's Forum

I had about three pints of reds last week that, after a couple of days in the rain and the boot of my car were as soggy as a soggy thing. I had a riddle and a washing up bowl (an old one) but that was no real solution.

Then I had a brainwave. I was in self catering accommodation and had been having porridge for breakfast. A couple of handfuls of oats were absolutely first class to dry and clean off the gentles! Plus they riddled off fabulously.

Give it a try next time; better than sawdust, bran etc., in my humble opinion.

Keep in fridge in sawdust - riddle and put in maize meal day before using.

That's what tackle shops do.

Good tip Phil.... Did you the eat the porridge?

I don't fish maggots often, but invariably when I do the blighters do get soggy, sawdust is useless really so the oats is a great tip, especially as we always have some in the cupboard, cheers Phil

Dave Burr wrote: ↑Mon Dec 04, 2017 6:21 pm Good tip Phil.... Did you the eat the porridge?

Good that Dave...

i use bran flakes, maise powder just goes soggy and lumpy when stored in a fridge

When you say bran flakes do you mean bran or the breakfast cereal?

I buy bran from pet stores. Fish are not put off by bran and it can be used in groundbait. I'm not sure what effect sawdust has on fish but it may be negative so I tend not to use it.

The old fishermen used to say keep maggots in damp bran. I think this is because maggots get warm in bran.

Like us gentles sweat! So a medium that prevents that or reduces sweating is a must to keep them fresh when in a fridge.

I always prefer to riddle them of that medium before using them. I then put them in maize meal for use making them very soft to the touch.

Maize meal and maggots will turn into a horrendous mess if they are put into the fridge so I riddle them and put them back into sawdust.

Bran is also a good medium but does absorb moisture over time!

I bought maggots in France in 30C heat but when kept in sawdust and in a fridge they lasted for a week or more ---- unlike the UK!

Dave Burr wrote: ↑Mon Dec 04, 2017 6:21 pm Good tip Phil.... Did you the eat the porridge?

Oh god

Dave Burr wrote: ↑Mon Dec 04, 2017 6:21 pm Good tip Phil.... Did you the eat the porridge?

Dont be daft, I fed it to the kids...