Casters.
How Fresh Are Your Casters?
The darker the caster the better it floats.
Hooking Your Caster
There are two methods of hooking a caster the simple method is to hook it through the pointed end this is effective and easily done. The second
method is to push the hook into the blunt end and rotate the hook so that the bend inserts in to the caster and push it down until the shaft of the hook and the caster are straight not as easy but excellent presentation for fish.
Foaters and Sinkers
Once your maggots have transformed themselves into casters you should then keep them in a cool position a fridge for instance. At this stage in their castor life they are sinkers and by keeping them in the fridge will slow down their development and keep them as sinkers. However if you want some floaters also then allow your maggots to develop further. The crispier the shell and darker they are the more likely they are to float. In hot weather sinkers can turn to floaters within hours to prevent this happening add a little water to them.
Making Your Own Castors
You can buy casters like you do maggots from all good retailers however this is no fun at all and generally speaking the quality of casters can vary dramatically from shop to shop. This can be avoided by making your own casters. This is not an exact process and varies with temperature. Generally speaking if you buy your maggots in summer about four or five days before you need them and in winter between seven and eight days before use. The age of the maggot is also a factor the older they are the closer to being a caster they will be so ask your baby fly retailer of an approximate age of your maggots.
When considering making casters consider your maggots. If your maggots are skinny and small then these will make poor casters. If your maggots are well fed and fat then these will make excellent casters fat and hookable.
A fresh caster a one that has just turned from maggot to chrysalis should be a pale creamy colour. As they mature the shell darkens becomes more crispy.
Washing Your Casters
Before you are about to use your casters give them a wash. How? Get a sieve and put your casters in and rinse them in cold water and you have lovely clean casters. And while you are cleaning your casters you can also check for floaters also. Simply put them in a bowl and those that float are floaters! Keep them aside and use them as fishy bait change.