Blood And Thunder

WITH Winter League season underway, Lee Kerry sings the praises of bloodworm and joker, and ponders why these baits are still widely banned across much of the UK.

- Lee Kerry

LAST weekend I was using a bait combination that I really like, but which always carries an element of controversy, namely bloodworm and joker.

The occasion was the opening round of the Eastern Winter League, the venue was the New Junction Canal, in South Yorkshire, and the outcome was an excellent victory for my Drennan Barnsley Blacks side.

We were delighted to win with 16 points, well clear of nearest rivals Sensas North on 27 and Browning Ossett on 28.

We also managed to win first and second individual places with Frankie Gianoncelli’s 15 lb 10 oz (pictured) and Simon Fields’ 15 lb 6 oz.

But rather than dwell on the specifics of one match, I’ll look instead at why these baits are so effective, but still fail to gain widespread acceptance within the UK match angling scene.

What exactly are these baits?

Bloodworm and joker are the aquatic larvae of gnats and midges.

Bright red in colour, they live in streams and ponds, and are often described as the most natural food source that anglers can use.

Jokers are mainly found in streams, typically those rich in nutrients, such as downstream of sewage treatment works outflows.

Being smaller than bloodworm, they usually form the main feed element – introduced in ground bait, or a combination of soils and leams, and sometimes neat with no binders added.

Bloodworm, being larger, is mainly used for hook baits and is typically found in ponds with soft silty bottoms.

Why are they so good?

As they are naturally occurring baits in every water, fish need no introduction to bloodworm and joker. They are already part of their daily diet.

Being small, lightweight, highly visible and almost entirely liquid, these baits are very easy for fish to devour in large quantities.