Bait - Bull Lip, Chicken Neck, Salted Eel?

[Distraction]

I need to get some bait for my trotline this year.

In the past I've always used Chicken Necks, since I know where to get them in bulk (frozen).

Years ago, my grandfather used to use something he called "Bull Lip", which was essentially cow tongue (and who knows what else). We also used to use salted eel from time to time.

That was up in MD. I'm down in VA now.

So, my question is: which is the better bait? Necks, Bull lip, or Eel?

If it's something other than chicken necks, where is a good place to buy near Richmond, VA? :D

Thanks!

[polarized]

The answer is RAZOR CLAMS !!

[night nurse]

Of those three I like the eel BUT the price of eel has gone WAY UP! I used to dry salt the eel's and they would last a very long time SOOO the price can be O.K.. I used to keep the old trot ling over the winter baited and fish it in the spring and it would catch with 6 month old bait.

TED

[uncljohn]

we use salted eels. You can reuse line and baits over and over again.

One thing we found.....to de-bait a trotline of eels.....just leave the baited line in your backyard (at the farm) and the raccoons will pick every last piece of eel off and leave you a perfectly fine trotline....

[h2oboss]

Eels and lips (In my expereince, they are actually lips) both work well, especially if you have an area with lots of crabs and are able to salt or freeze when you get home. Necks work great but you have to re-bait each time. I've done very well with both but I think necks draw better/attract better. This year may be the year to go back to lips or eels with all the reports of huge increases in the crab population.....just my expereinces and two cents. Good Luck!

[crabby and son]

Just make sure you don't use chicken lips. They don't catch:eek2:.............Gary

[bodkin crabber]

I understand that Chicken Lip Soup is great!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tolmaz]

I used to use eel & ckn necks ...Now its bull lips for me...those splinters used to kill me...I started using BL about 20 years ago and never went back to the eel

[BowMovements]

I'm baiting a 1200' with lips and freezing it for those at a whim trips. I have 2400 for fowl necks and ch nx, and 2400 for razors. Did i mention the other 2400 in reserve to be baited for the fowl and ch nx while I'm fishing the other 2 lines. Best of all... I aint baitn or de-baiting any of them this year. I got a hard working kid with excellent work ethics doing it. Plus he has a girlfriend so he needs plenty of cash. ;-)

[Burchbeer]

Man that worx good for you.

Where do you primarily crab BM? bmail if you would rather.

[BowMovements]

South River in the early season, then GP. I don't run around as much as I use to. With fuel, bait, tolls, help, and other expenditures it just isn't practical. Plus it's nice not to be dog ass tired at the end of the day. My 5 year plan is to have a home on one of those rivers. Still got three years left and the ole' lady gets her step 12 next month! ;-) I love my sugar mama.

[Freado]

Hear bull-lips are harder to get now...they can use them to make hotdogs now!

[h2oboss]

Still got three years left and the ole' lady gets her step 12 next month! ;-) I love my sugar mama.

That's better than a 12 step program any day!! When you buy that house I've got a boat to keep one of your slips happy:))

[Capt. Dale]

Hay Matt,
you want to send that kid down here to Bowie, I'll put him to work on some lines here.
What does he charge per 1200'?

[BowMovements]

He works for me on my lawn crew P/T and I keep him on the clock but also hook him up with some extra cash. If i had to guess somewhere around 20 per 1200' line bait and de-bait. It takes him about 30 -40 min per line so he's cleaning up over 20 per hr. His parents love it cuz it keeps him off the streets. I get it so he is usually doing 3 to 4 lines per week and rotate them. If I don't do it that way it gets expensive!

[BowMovements]

That's better than a 12 step program any day!! When you buy that house I've got a boat to keep one of your slips happy:))

no problem, just no loitering... lol