Sea Fishing Bait That Actually Catches Fish (Not Just Anglers): Your Complete Guide to Frozen Sea Bait
- Bait Butcher
- Jan 13
- 5 min read
Let’s be honest…
Sea fishing is basically adult treasure hunting. You stand in sideways rain, your hands go numb, the tripod tries to launch itself into the North Sea, and some bloke next to you confidently says: “They were having it yesterday…” And 9 times out of 10, the difference between a heroic session and an emotional breakdown in a waterproof jacket is bait.
Not just any bait either. I’m talking proper sea fishing bait — the kind that leaks scent, stays
on the hook, and convinces fish with the IQ of a wet sock that this is a delicious life decision.
Sea Fishing Bait – Bait Butcher Fishing Tackle
(Stocked, tested and chosen by actual anglers who enjoy catching fish more than watching their bait get nicked by crabs.)
On our website you’ll find a cracking selection of frozen sea baits including:
Unwashed squid
Prawns
Soft shell crab
Mussels
Sand eels
Razor clams
Bluey
Mackerel fillets
Cornish pilchards
And more oily goodness like herring, sardines, anchovies, sprats, joey mackerel
All ready to be delivered to your door, meaning you can spend more time fishing… and less time rummaging around dodgy bait freezers.
Why Frozen Sea Fishing Bait Works (When It’s Done Right)
Some anglers hear “frozen bait” and instantly picture:
slimy mystery blocks
freezer burn
baits that snap like a carrot when you try to hook them
and a smell that haunts your car for 7 working days
But that’s bad frozen bait.
Good frozen bait is frozen to lock in freshness, oils, and scent — and when thawed correctly, it fishes brilliantly.
That’s exactly the point of the bait we stock at Bait Butcher. It’s chosen because it consistently catches fish in real UK fishing conditions — whether you’re:
targeting winter cod
chasing spring rays
looking for summer smoothhounds
or doing a classic “I’ll just scratch about for whatever bites” session
In other words: frozen sea fishing bait that performs.
The Bait Butcher Sea Fishing Bait Line-Up (AKA: The Fish Temptation Department)
1) Unwashed Squid – The “Always Works” Classic
If there was one bait I’d allow on the Ark, it’s squid.
Unwashed squid is the business because it’s:
packed with natural oils and scent
tough as old boots
brilliant for long casting
easy to cut into strips, chunks or whole baits
It’s an absolute weapon for:
cod
bass
rays
smoothhounds
If you’ve ever come home saying “should’ve taken squid”… congratulations — you’ve learned what every sea angler eventually learns.
You can grab it here: Unwashed Squid – Frozen Sea Fishing Bait
2) Soft Shell Crab – The “Big Fish Candy”
Now we’re talking.
Soft shell crab is the sort of bait that makes fish turn up like:
“Right lads, who’s invited the Michelin chef?”
This stuff is incredibly effective on:
cod (especially around rough ground)
smoothhound
rays
It’s properly “specimen bait”, and it’s also ideal when you want to stand out from the sea of anglers chucking mackerel.
Available to buy here: Soft Shell Crab
3) Cornish Pilchards – Proper Predator Ammo
If you want oily scent trails and savage takes, Cornish pilchards are like ringing the dinner bell.
They’re described perfectly on the product page as:
oily
tough
packed with scent
and versatile (whole, halves, fillets)
A deadly option for:
cod
bass
conger eel
smoothhound
They also make a brilliant cocktail bait base when you want to add squid or crab as a “tip”.
Grab yours here: Cornish Pilchards
4) Mackerel Fillets / Joey Mackerel – The UK Sea Fishing Staple
There’s a reason mackerel is everywhere. Fish love it.
Mackerel fillets and joey mackerel bring:
oil
scent
flash
easy baiting
They’re brilliant for:
cod
huss
conger
rays
and general big-bait fishing
If you fish heavy ground, long sessions, or cold water — mackerel is a must in the bait box.
Available here: Mackerel Fillets / Joey Mackerel
5) Bluey (Pacific Saury) – The Deep Water Difference
Bluey is a proper cod bait and a deep-water favourite because it pumps out scent.
We stock bluey in two variations:
Small Bluey
Large Bluey
Perfect for:
big cod
big rays
long-session soaking baits
It’s one of those baits that gets bites when things are slow — especially in winter.
Available to buy here: Small Bluey / Large Bluey
6) Sand Eels (A Grade) – Bass, Cod & Smoothhound Magnet
Sand eels are one of the most natural baits going. Fish see them constantly, so they absolutely nail them.
Ideal for:
bass
cod
smoothhound
Fish them whole or sectioned, and don’t be afraid to cocktail them with squid if you’re targeting bigger fish. Get them in your basket here: A Grade Sand Eels
7) Mussel + Razor Clams – Shellfish That Wins Sessions
When anglers talk about “matching the hatch” in sea fishing terms, it usually means:
“Give them what they’re already eating.”
That’s where mussel and razor clams shine:
strong natural scent
brilliant on tough days
ideal for tipping off rigs
These are killers for:
cod
bass
flatties
Both available on the website here: Mussel / Razor Clams
8) Prawns – Not Just for Curry Night
Whole prawns are unbelievably good for:
bass
flounder
dabs
general scratching sessions
And they’re brilliant when you want a cleaner, easy bait with loads of scent.
Available today here: Prawns
Want It Easy? Grab a Sea Bait Pack + Cool Box
If you’re the type of angler who loves fishing but can’t be bothered doing 12 stops to assemble bait, you’ve got two awesome options on the page:
✅ Frozen Sea Bait Pack & Cool Box (£39.99)
Includes:
squid
A grade sandeel
mussels
prawns
Grab one here: Frozen Bait & Cool Box Bundle
✅ Large Frozen Sea Bait Pack & Large Cool Box (£79.99)
This one is the “full send” pack and includes:
squid
soft shell crab
mackerel fillets
large bluey
mussels…and more
Get yours here today: Large Frozen Bait & Cool Box Bundle
It’s an ideal bundle for:
weekends away
long winter sessions
or stocking your freezer so you’re always ready
Best Sea Fishing Bait For UK Species (Quick Cheat Sheet)
Here’s the quick “what bait for what fish” breakdown:
Cod
Best picks:
squid
bluey
mackerel
mussel
razor clams
soft shell crab
Bass
Best picks:
sand eels
squid strips
prawns
razor clams
Smoothhound
Best picks:
soft shell crab
sand eels
squid
Rays
Best picks:
squid
mackerel
crab
bluey
Flatfish (Flounder, Dab, Plaice etc.)
Best picks:
prawns
mussels
squid strips
Final Word: Don’t Fish With “Whatever’s In The Freezer”
There are two types of sea anglers:
The ones who plan their bait and consistently catch.
The ones who use a mystery freezer block from 2019 and blame the tide.
If you’re aiming for proper fish — cod, bass, rays, smoothhounds, conger and more — then do yourself a favour:
✅ stock quality
✅ mix bait types
✅ always have squid
✅ and keep your freezer ready
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