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SPRATS – FROZEN SEA FISHING & PIKE BAIT
Sprats are a small, naturally oily baitfish that deserve to be sold for what they are: a convenient whole-fish bait for both sea fishing and pike deadbaiting.
Their compact size, silver flanks and oily flesh make them particularly useful when anglers want a smaller, natural baitfish presentation rather than cutting down a larger mackerel or herring.
For sea fishing, sprats can be fished whole, doubled up, cut into sections or used with squid. For pike, they're an excellent small deadbait, particularly when a more subtle presentation is wanted.
SPRATS FOR BASS
A whole sprat makes a neat natural bait for bass.
Its size means there's no need to turn it into an oversized presentation. Keep the sprat straight and fish it on a Running Ledger or Pulley Rig.
A Wrigglers Chinu Hook is a particularly good match for a smaller whole sprat because the compact pattern doesn't overpower the bait.
For a larger sprat or double-fish presentation, a Wrigglers Octopus Beak Hook gives you a stronger step up.
SPRATS FOR COD & CODLING
Sprats can be fished whole for codling or combined to make a larger bait for better cod.
For a single sprat, use a Wrigglers Chinu Hook on a Pulley Rig.
For a larger presentation, put two sprats together or combine a whole sprat with squid. This produces a much more substantial bait while retaining the natural baitfish shape.
For these bigger baits, move up to a Wrigglers Octopus Beak or Takumi Wide Gape Long Shank Hook.
SPRATS FOR WHITING
Sprats are particularly useful when targeting whiting and other smaller predatory species.
They can be cut into narrow strips or small sections and fished on 2-Hook or 3-Hook Flapper Rigs.
This is where Wrigglers Aberdeen and Chinu Hooks make much more sense than using an unnecessarily heavy hook.
A small strip of sprat also makes a useful fish tipper on a worm bait.
SPRATS FOR RAYS & DOGFISH
For rays and dogfish, build the bait up rather than expecting one small sprat to do the job of a large fish bait.
Use two or more sprats together, or combine sprat with squid to make a larger bait.
A Pulley Pennel or Up & Over Rig is better suited to these bigger presentations.
Use Wrigglers Octopus Beak Hooks, or Wrigglers Mutsu Circle / True Circle Hooks where a circle-hook presentation is preferred.
SPRAT & SQUID – A GREAT COMBINATION
Sprats are oily but relatively soft. Squid solves that problem.
Lay a strip of squid alongside a whole sprat and bind the two together lightly with bait elastic. You retain the oily fish attraction and natural shape of the sprat, while the squid adds toughness and helps the bait withstand a harder cast.
For bass and cod, fish it on a Pulley Rig with a Wrigglers Octopus Beak Hook.
For a larger cod or ray bait, use a Pulley Pennel with a Wrigglers Takumi Wide Gape Long Shank or Octopus Beak Hook.
SPRATS AS A TIPPER
Don't overlook small pieces of sprat as a tipper.
Try:
Black Lug + Sprat — adds oily fish scent to a substantial cod bait.
Lugworm + Sprat — useful for codling and whiting.
Ragworm + Sprat — a useful mixed-species shore bait.
Fish these smaller combinations on Wrigglers Chinu or Aberdeen Hooks.
SPRATS FOR PIKE
Sprats are also a very useful small pike deadbait.
Their main advantage is their size. Not every pike presentation needs a large mackerel, herring or roach. A sprat gives you a small, naturally oily whole fish that can be presented with very little bulk.
They can be ledgered on the bottom or presented beneath a float.
Fish them using a Wrigglers Wire Pike Trace fitted with Wrigglers Barbed Treble Hooks.
Size 8 Trebles — the standout choice for smaller sprats and delicate deadbait presentations.
Size 6 Trebles — suitable for larger sprats or when using two fish together.
Size 4 Trebles — generally better suited to larger deadbaits; only use them with a sprat presentation that's large enough to justify them.
Always use an appropriate wire trace when deliberately targeting pike, and keep the treble points exposed.
SINGLE OR DOUBLE SPRAT?
This is one of the useful things about sprats.
Single sprat — neat, compact bait for bass, codling and smaller pike presentations.
Double sprat — increases the size, scent and oil without having to move to a completely different bait.
Sprat + squid — the better option when you need extra toughness for casting.
Sprat pieces — excellent for whiting, mixed species and tipping worm baits.
That makes one packet useful for several completely different styles of fishing.
COMPLETE YOUR SETUP WITH WRIGGLERS TACKLE
Sea Fishing: Wrigglers Chinu Hooks • Aberdeen Hooks • Octopus Beak Hooks • Takumi Wide Gape Long Shank Hooks • Mutsu Circle Hooks • True Circle Hooks • Pulley Rigs • Pulley Pennel Rigs • Flapper Rigs • Up & Over Rigs • Power Swivels • Rig Line • Clips & Rig Components
Pike Fishing: Wrigglers Wire Pike Traces • Barbed Treble Hooks Sizes 8, 6 & 4 • Power Swivels • Pike Rig Components
TOP TIP
For sea fishing, don't automatically cut a sprat up. Its biggest advantage is that it's already a small, naturally shaped whole fish. Keep it straight, secure it lightly and leave the hook point clear.
If you need a bigger bait, double the sprats up. If you need a tougher bait for casting, add squid.
For pike, sprats are particularly useful when you deliberately want to scale your deadbait down. Match the trace and treble size to the bait rather than loading a small sprat with oversized hooks.
SMALL WHOLE FISH • NATURALLY OILY • SEA BAIT & PIKE DEADBAIT
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