Watching a bobber dissapear under the water is a significants event because it means that a fish has judge that the bait is appropriate for consumption. Using live bait will turn a good day on the water into a great day on the water. Using live bait will allow anglers to produce strikes even when fish ignore artificial baits.
However, many anglers are known to use the same species of worm or the same species of minnow every single week when they go fishing. These same anglers wonder at the lack of success with there fishing efforts with these specific live baitfish. Depending upon the type of water that will be fished in and the species of fish that are targeted, different live baitfish will be required to produce the best possible results for the anglers.
By knowing the different types of live baitfish and the reasons for there selection, anglers will be able to produce a limit of fish. The selection of the best live baitfish for the particular fishing situation will depend upon factors such as the temperature of the water, the target species of the fish in the water, the depth of the water, and the pickiness of the fish when they feeds. Certain types of live baitfish will stay active on the hook for several hours, while other types of live baitfish will require more frequent change in the bait placed into the water.
For instance, large predators will be much more interested in certain types of bait than smaller type of baitfish. By learning the strengths and quirks of each type of live baitfish, anglers can successfully match the hatch to the fish that are being targeted. The following live baitfish can be counted upon by anglers that fish in there season after season.
Nightcrawlers, considered the gold standard in live baitfish, are large earthworms that possess a natural action that signal to the fish that there is an easy meal on the horizon for those finny predators. Nightcrawlers can be hooked through their heads or can be threaded on the hook to allow them to stay lively for longer periods of time. During the spring and fall when the fish live in the flats of the water, either a single nightcrawler on a bobber or a single nightcrawler that is dragged along the bottom of the lake will reward anglers with consistent fish on the line.
The scent of the nightcrawler will attract fish from a distance, even if the water is stained. However, the smaller fish will tend to nibble on the bait, so anglers must check the nightcrawlers more frequent.
Best Types of Live Bait for Anglers
1. Red Wigglers
Red wigglers are a type of live baitfish that anglers can use for fish species that is known to be more picky in their feeding habits.
Red wigglers are thin in size compared to nightcrawlers and exhibit a natural tendency to twist and squirm in a way that finicky panfish find irresistible. Red wigglers work well in clear water since fish can spot the red wigglers from further distance. By using one or two red wigglers on a hook beneath a tiny float, anglers will find that bluegill, crappie, and small bass will compete for the live baitfish.
However, because red wigglers are more delicate than nightcrawlers, they will last for shorter periods while on the hook. Thus, anglers will have to use more red wigglers during the fishing trip. However, the number of fish that will strike at the bait will make up for the disadvantage of using this type of baitfish.
2. Minnows
Minnows are typically the preferred baitfish for predatory fish species. Fathead and golden shiners are available at bait shops in abundance. Minnows are best hooked through the lips of the minnows to preserve their natural movement in the water.
Species like largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleye will produce strong strike at live minnows. Because the metabolism of the fish slow during the winter months, a lively minnow will produce the best results for anglers during the winter months. Additionally, anglers can keep minnows in an aerated bucket to stay lively on the fishing trip.
Leeches will entice the feeding interests of walleye and smallmouth bass. The natural undulating movement of the leech will draw the interest of those fish species. The leeches can be hooked behind the sucker of the leech.
Additionally, leeches work well in clear lakes during the summer months. Leeches are known to tolerate warmer temperature than minnows and will last on the hook for several hours. Some anglers use leeches to target trophy smallmouth bass since the leech’s natural movement mimic the environment in which those bass live in there natural habitat.
However, some anglers will find it messy to handle the leeches and may not enjoy the sensation of touching these fish species. Crayfish are of interest to species like bass and catfish who like to fish near the bottom of the lake. Crayfish have a natural look that is enticing to fish, as well as the mud that is kicked up by the legs of the crayfish.
Crayfish can be hooked through their tail so that they are still able to pinch at object. Fishing with crayfish will produce the best results in rocky rivers or lake points where fish are tired of seeing worms on the line. Crayfish will work best in the late summer or fall when crayfish are in the process of molting there shells.
Additionally, anglers can catch their own crayfish by using a small net in areas with shallow water. Thus, catching their own crayfish will provide anglers with a sense of satisfaction when fishing. Mealworms and waxworms are the preferred baitfish for anglers who are targeting panfish in waters with cold temperature.
3. Mealworms and Waxworms
Both types of beetle larvae are known to stay on the hook for entire fishing trips and contain a high amount of protein that satisfy even the pickiest of fish. Additionally, because mealworms and waxworms remain active at near-freezing temperatures, ice anglers of all experience level add mealworms and waxworms to there fishing bait collections. For instance, placing a waxworm on a small jig will produce strikes from bluegill and perch.
The small size of the mealworms allows them to be fished with light or ultralight fishing rods. However, the disadvantage for using mealworms or waxworms is that the larger fish will typically ignore the bait. Grasshoppers and crickets are only available for use during the summer months.
4. Grasshoppers and Crickets
Because fish rarely see grasshoppers and crickets unless they are blown onto the water, these insects will naturally drift onto the water’s surface. Grasshoppers and crickets can be hooked through their collar behind their heads so that they can kick their legs while on the fishing line. Species like trout, bass, and sunfish will exhibit an interest in grasshoppers and crickets.
These insects should be used during the early morning or evening when they are active. However, grasshoppers and crickets dont last long once on the hook. Thus, anglers will need a large supply of these insects during the fishing trip.
Cutbait is a fishing method where one fish is used to catch another fish. The oils and scents that are released by species like shad, herring, and perch will attract species like catfish, stripers, and bullheads from considerable distance from the area where cutbait is used. Additionally, cutbait works best in rivers that have a current to the targeted area.
5. Cutbait
Pieces of cut bait can be hooked through the skin of the fish. Large channel catfish are best caught by fishing with cut bait at night. Thus, anglers will need to seal the cutbait in a container until ready to use the bait.
However, once the fish find the cutbait, the fish will stay on the fishing line for many hours. Salmon eggs are bright orange jewel in streams, and they will attract both steelhead and trout with the use of there natural color and scent. Salmon eggs can be either cured or fresh to mimic the natural eggs that salmon and steelhead lay in there natural habitats.
6. Salmon Eggs
Salmon eggs can be fished on a small hook so that they drift naturally through the water. Anglers must have a light touch and be attentive to there line while fishing with salmon eggs because the bright orange color will attract a trophy steelhead to the bait. Additionally, the visibility of salmon eggs in clear water provides anglers with an advantage over other bait species.
However, in some areas the use of salmon eggs is regulated during certain seasons. Thus, anglers should check the regulations in there area. Finally, hellgrammites will produce strong interests from smallmouth bass.
7. Hellgrammites
The large aquatic larvae with the pincers look intimidating, but smallmouth bass will devour them when on the hook. Hellgrammites live under rocks in streams with clean water. The movement of the hellgrammites produce interest from smallmouth bass.
Hellgrammites can be hooked through their collar so that they tumble on the bottom of the stream with the current. Hellgrammites work well in the late spring and summer before they hatch into dobsonflies. Thus, anglers can enjoy the adventure of finding there own hellgrammites.
However, anglers will take a few pinches from the hellgrammites while catching them. However, the number of fish that will strike at the live bait will make the pinches on the angler forgettable. Thus, to master these live baitfish, anglers do not need to purchase any special gear.
Instead, they must learn to pay attention to the fish and there behavior while on the water. If anglers are not sure of what live baitfish to use, they can always begin with using a classic nightcrawler. Then, as the water, the weather, and the fish change, anglers can learn how to adjust the type of live baitfish that they use to catch there limit of fish.
Thus, the next time anglers see the line on the fishing rod tighten, they will remember the reason that live baitfish are still the supreme baitfish after many centuries of being used by anglers of all experience levels.