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Fishing Bait


Fishing bait is still the top producer of many fishermen. The chances are that you've been looking forward to finding exactly this kind of live bait fishing guide. Now, here is the whole field covered for you. We'll closely examine live bait fishing tips, tackle, and techniques for using worms and nightcrawlers, crawfish, hellgramites, minnows, frogs, stink baits, and both land and aquatic insects. Grab your tackle and let's go do some live bait fishing!


Some fish can't be caught on artificial lures, and will take live bait only. Sometimes fishing bait is the only thing that will catch fish under certain water conditions. It follows that bait has an important place in fishing, despite the pleasure that comes from using artificial lures, and a good bait fisherman must have considerable knowledge of the live bait he employs and of the habits of the fish he seeks. The latter he must observe for himself, but there are small tricks in the use of live bait that can be passed on from the experiences of others. Many of these fishing tips are often little known outside of the areas where they originated.


Some of these little tricks of the art, gathered from many parts of the country, are given here in the proceeding articles, and will benefit the beginner and the veteran.


Assorted Fishing Baits

Many fishermen who think they're fishing bait aren't. They are merely soaking the lifeless cadaver of a creature they've executed onto a hook. The larger and wiser fish will give it a sniff and disdainfully twiddle their fins. They will observe the offering for what it is - bait.


Both beginner and veteran fishermen should be warned of one thing: The person who ruthlessly depletes brooks and streams of bait fish, and other aquatic life on which larger fish feed, is ruining his own future fishing. Care should be taken at all times to avoid, as much as possible, disturbing the stream bottom, and to be moderate in the amount of bait taken from any stream.


Use as many grasshoppers, worms, crickets, and such, as you wish--but voluntarily limit your bait fish and larvae like hellgramites, even if your state doesn't have laws setting limits on their numbers. They are good bait because fish feed naturally on them; therefore, if they vanish the quality of fishing will decrease dramatically.


Live Bait Fishing Tips


You will observe that the lip-hooked minnow tires rapidly and gives up to sulk in a sort of hang-dog fashion. And why shouldn't he? The poor fish can't breathe with his mouth pinned shut.


The old axiom that big baits catch big fish is not necessarily true. A bait presenting an unattached appearance in much more attractive to any fish than a gob of mush. Most gamefish are predators, not scavengers.


If fish are not taking on the surface, as they sometimes won't, pinch on the smallest split-shot that will pull your bait under the surface. This permits it to sink slowly like a drowning prey still struggling to reach the surface. Bass, crappies and jumbo bluegills will rise to this bait whereas they would leave it for the kids should it be kerplunked to the bottom on a heavy sinker.





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Last Update: January 3, 2009

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Remember, there is little sense in going to great lengths to get a bait to the stream or lake alive, then fishing it dead or half dead. Hook large minnows, salamanders and frogs through the lips so they will stay alive longer. Hook smaller minnows through the back halfway between the tail and midsection, using great care not to pierce the backbone. Worms and night crawlers should be placed on the hook so that plenty of each end is left free to wiggle. Crayfish should be hooked through the tail. When a live bait dies, put another live one on the hook. Keep changing prepared baits at frequent intervals, for your chance of a strike is best with a fresh bait.