Casters

The maggot forms a hard, brown outer shell before eventually metamorphosing into a fly. This is the same process by which a caterpillar forms a chrysalis before emerging as a butterfly.

Squatts and pinkies also go through this process, although it is only the caster of the large maggot that is sold in tackle shops and used by anglers. Casters are loved by all fish species, especially roach, perch, bream and chub, but tend to attract a larger size of fish. This is believed to be due to their still nature, crunchy outer shell and soft protein-rich contents.

Producing your own casters

Most anglers will buy casters from tackle shops. With a little bit of effort, you can ‘turn' your own casters.

To get a pint of casters you will need perhaps a pint and a half of best quality large white maggots. Once there are signs that the first of the maggots are beginning to turn into pale coloured casters, put them through a maggot riddle. The live maggots will crawl through but the casters will not. Remove any dead maggot skins at this stage. Repeat this process two or three times each day, removing the casters to the fridge each time. They are then best stored in a plastic bag with damp kitchen towel to avoid bag burn.

History of the caster

Casters have been used as fishing bait for hundreds of years and it's not accurate to suggest that the Lancashire legend Benny Ashurst, father of 1982 world champion Kevin Ashurst, invented the caster. However, it was Benny who developed the sinking caster, as explained by John Essex in the video below.

How to store casters between fishing sessions

Casters are a relatively short-lived bait, keeping at best four or five days if sealed in an air-tight plastic bag in the fridge. Never forget that casters are living creatures. It pays to open the bag at least once a day for five to 10 minutes just to let out the carbon dioxide-rich air and allow oxygen-rich air in.

Motty's tips on how to get the best from casters

Advice from canal angling champion Simon 'Motty' Mottram, who trains our Let's Fish! coaches on the best canal fishing methods.

• Feed a bed of casters at the beginning of your session.
• Top up with a few casters every ten minutes or so. If you feed too frequently, fish will start to come up to mid-water to intercept them on the drop, which is not the aim when caster fishing.
• Keep the casters damp if exposed to the sun or they will quickly dry out and float, making them useless for loose feed. Although a floating caster is fine on the hook.
• Chub just adore casters, so if you are fishing a known chub peg caster is the bait they are most likely to take.
• It can pay to bury the hook in the caster for better bait presentation.