Lug Pumping

Advice - Using a Lug Pump to collect Lugworm.

Summer:

Very possible for even a newbie to pump lugworm easily and fast. You'll need a long spring tide, the tide just turning and a hot summers day or evening (in the SE of the UK) where the water is moving in over hot sand. Low rather than high atmospheric pressure also helps!
The spring tide allows you to access larger lug which have not been pumped as much and the warmth of the sand and the turning tide causes them to be near the surface!

Pro pumpers can pump 500+ per tide. Newbies could pump up to 150 per tide.

Winter:

This is a different matter. The lug have a tendency to be much deeper in their burrow. The deeper the worm, the more the burrow may deviate from the vertical. Pumping is considerably more difficult in these conditions. Tip: In cold weather coat your hands with vaseline and wear kitchen gloves which are large enough not to be tight. You'll be surprised at how warm this keeps your hands!

Pro pumpers can pump up to 500 per tide. Newbies may struggle to get 30.

Alvey pumps:

When using the 1.25" and 2" Alvey stainless steel pumps most novices position the pumps vertically over the worm cast! These pumps do obtain lugworm but a considerably reduced number of lug are obtained versus the narrow bore 22mm pumps.
These larger bore Alvey pumps (1.25" up) need considerably more effort and because they are too short (even the so called long slim pump!) most people are bending over which soon causes their back to ache! The worm may be hidden in the ejected sand which has to be broken up to check if a worm is present. The worm shows up immediately when 22mm pumps are used.

Narrow bore pumps:

Long narrow bore pumps (22mm as sold by SmaTackle) are the pumps of choice for the professional lug pumpers. They generate considerably more suction which can pull the lugworm up its burrow into the pump. Do not pull up too hard or you may get the tail only!

How to:

Approach the cast without being heavy footed (which would cause the lugworm to move down rapidly into its burrow.) Position the pump about 15cm from the cast. Push the pump downwards at an angle of 45° to 60° to the vertical drawing the handle of the pump upwards slowly until some bubbles appear at the cast ie. the tip is touching the burrow. Then pull the pump handle up to its limit without the pump enterering the sand any further! Withdraw the pump from the sand without allowing the handle to fall. When clear of the sand, push the handle fully down to eject the pumps contents.

If there isn't a worm in the ejected sand, repeat the procedure at a steeper angle and a greater depth. If no lug is present, move onto the next cast and repeat the procedure.

You'll speed up with time and be able to recognise, by your success, the size, type and colour of the casts which should be pumped eg. the larger casts do not always give the largest worms.

Pumping at night:

In the winter the best spring tides will occur in the dark. This is the time when the southern cod fisherman needs most bait. You'll need a good and reliable headlight to pump at this time. The 300 lumen zoom headlights sold by SmaTackle are perfect for this being light and powerful.

Conclusions:

22mm tube pumps are the most commonly used. Much less effort is required than with the larger bore pumps.

Warning:

Many areas of sand contain mudholes or quicksands. Always check the firmness of the sand as you move along. If you detect a 'sinking in', immediately backtrack on your footsteps. This is especially important at night.

Never go out on the sands at night alone and make sure you have a powerful headlight and a mobile phone!

If you have any further questions about this subject or any other, please "Contact Us" and we'll help if we can!.

ENJOY YOUR LUG PUMPING!!!

-------------------------------------------

Questions and Answers...

Q...should lugworm be gutted?

A...Yes and No!

Yes - Damaged worms not immediately gutted can 'mush' within the hour. If you want to store the worms, completely remove the gut as soon as pumped/dug and wrap loosely in newspaper. They can keep in a cold fridge >10 days if lucky. No good for blowlug, too small!

No - For worms not damaged, especially blowlug keep cool in loose newspaper. >3 days, or better store in 30mm seawater in a bowl with airstone. >6 wks. Don't forget to change the seawater EVERY day and keep the water cool! To use these worms on a fishing trip - line an old plastic ice cream container with several layers of newspaper. Gently put more than enough worms into the newspaper lining. When you return from the fishing trip tip any unused worms back into the bowl of seawater! If the trips are no greater than 12hrs. you should'nt lose any! Most efficient way of using those valuable lug - and always available on tap if the weather suddenly produces the right conditions for catching fish!

Q...Is it that the bigger the cast the bigger the worm as a rule?

A...In the SE the diameter of the worm cast for black lug does not necessarily determine the size of the worm. Small diameter casts can contain larger worms. On the other hand, for blowlug the size of the cast usually determines the size. Use a fork for blowlug, they are not deep. For blacklug use a narrow bore 22mm diameter pump.... It wont be long before you get the knack (no use in stoney ground...)

Q...I've been told not to buy the larger bore pumps, eg. Alvey 2" and 1.25". Is this correct?

A...For the 2" pump. In drier sands the worm is hidden in the sand ejected by the pump and requires breaking open to check for the lug (hardwork). Also the 2" pump is not long enough (unless your short) and hard work. You won't get worm very fast with this pump. Use a 22mm pump. After a bit of practice you'll get many more worms with far less work...

Q...Which is the best pump to buy?

A...A bit difficult to answer because we're obviously biased BUT in our opinion you can't beat the SMATACKLE 22mm stainless steel version for durability, ease of use and servicing at a very cost effective price...