Goldfish Bait 2025

.dsaavedra. reply :

What are yall's opinions on using live goldfish as bait for bass? i know they work cuz some dude next to me was catching bass and cats using live goldfish for bait. i really wanna try it. what do you all think?

Johnny Pinebrook reply :

I know its illegal in pa not sure about other states

.dsaavedra. reply :

yeah it is illegal but it doesnt really matter because this pond is very unpublicised( <---is that a word?) so i would definitley not get caught.

grimlin reply :

Goldfish are an invasive species that can destroy the fresh water habitats.

They eat plants that provide food and cover for native fish, carry disease and push out

native fish with aggressive behavior and breeding.

If it's illegal i wouldn't use them...i'm sure if you look hard enough you can find a lure that looks like a goldfish and use that instead.

tuxdaddy reply :

If you use them, be sure NOT to dump the ones you don't use in the water.. I've seen in a couple of lakes in Md, where they became a nuisance rather quickly.. So take them with you when you're... No need to screw up someone's fishing hole with a dang weed eating carp > !!!

RoLo reply :

If your state condones the use of goldfish for bait (that's a big IF),

I see no reason why goldfish would not make excellent baitfish.

It goes without saying, bass aren't into the taxonomy of forage species,

and that might explain why a bass would actually chase the likes of a "spinnerbait" :-?

So a goldfish on a hook that's an appropriate size, and moves real nice is probably living on borrowed time.

Roger

.dsaavedra. reply :

well see....this pond has a weed PROBLEM!!!!! the weeds are crazy in there. it'd be nice to have them cut back. but i wouldnt be releasing any leftovers into the pond cuz i am aware of the damage they can do. i'd probly either fish till im out of bait, or i'd take my leftovers and put them in a holding tank at home. and even if it turns out that i dont use them....i make a certain kind of lure (i am into fly tying) that looks JUST LIKE A GOLDFISH!!! only problem is that i cant realy fly cast it well.....i suppose i could put it under a bobber and do like a float and fly rig...cuz the old guy was using the goldfish under a bobber when he was there. here is a pic of the lure i made:

Other. reply :

Quote
yeah it is illegal but it doesnt really matter because this pond is very unpublicised( <---is that a word?) so i would definitley not get caught.

Well If it is illegal DON'T DO IT! It will ruin the pond you fish if any are dumped in the pond. One of the last things you would want to do if you are a fishermen is to ruin the fishery. If you happen to get caught the worst case scenario is that they fine you and take away your fishing tackle. It is a dumb thing to do and I would not do it.

.dsaavedra. reply :

well im not sure if it is illegal...i just always thought it would be.....anyone know where i can go to find out if its illegal?

guest reply :

Quote
yeah it is illegal but it doesnt really matter because this pond is very unpublicised( <---is that a word?) so i would definitley not get caught.

Since when does "not getting caught" mean that doing something wrong is ok.

There are documented cases of idiots bringing non native species to a lake for bait and wiping out the fishery because the "bait" that escapes reproduces and overtakes the system.

Son, your in the wrong place if you expect advice on how to get away with breaking the law.

Fish and game departments don't create regulations because they got bored one afternoon. There are important reasons why size limits, bag limits, and other regualtions are in place.

And don't be sure that you won't get caught. I and many others on this site consider it our duty to report violations to the local game wardens. Violators in Florida risk loosing thier right to fish, fines, jail time, and confiscation of all equipment, including the vehicle that got you there.

Let me suggest that you take the time and effort to develop skills so using illegal tactics is no advantage.

Let me further urge you to develop a true sportsman's mentality that is characterised by appreciation of the beauty and bounty of nature.

You will find this to be the "ultimate" resource. We will, and do assist new anglers to become responsible, and highly productive anglers who often outfish the poachers and low life's who break the law's.

We all will be happy to assist you in this endeavor.

.dsaavedra. reply :

ok. but i wasnt even sure if i was gonna use them in the first place. so i never thought of it "ok" and do you know where i could find out if it is legal in maryland? cuz i'd really like to know. if it is not legal then i wont use them and ill just use that fly under a bobber.

guest reply :

Quote
It is illegal to Introduce (stock, release) or import or possess for introduction any live fish not indigenous to the waters of Maryland. (This includes dumping the remnants of your bait container when you are done fishing.)

It took me under 2 minutes to locate this information from the Maryland department of natural resources.

I googled "Maryland fresh water fishing regulations" and the rest was just clicking on links.

You sound like a decent young man. It is up to you and me and the everyone else who loves to fish that we make the effort to find out what is legal, and beyond that use places like BassResource.com to learn about ethics.

Do the right thing, good luck, and have fun.

avid

Other. reply :

I live in Maryland and I believe it is Illegal.

T-rig reply :

Just use one of these! This way you wont have any problems doing anything illegal!

Lucky Craft Real Vib

.dsaavedra. reply :

alright aivd, thanks for the info. i looked on the DNR page and couldnt find that. under fishing regulations all i could manage to find was sizelimits.

and t-rig...NO THANKS!!!! lol...lucky crafts are wayyyyy too expensive and this lake is full of thick thick weeds...perfect for loosing lures :-/ i think ill stick to my flies :

flyphisher # reply :

If its legal go for it....Expensive though....Private pond i dont think it matters......

Here in Ga, There is actually one public lake(few thousand acres) where goldfish are perfectly legal and can be bought at a bait shop near the lake for $7 a dozen. It has alot of vegatation, large catfish and stripers, which may explain why they are legal bait there and in no other public Ga water.

Big shiners will work just as well if no better most places though.

snapperd1 reply :

Directly from the DNR web site.

Import of Fish for Stocking

The Fisheries Service is responsible for the protection and management of fish populations across the

state. To prevent the introduction of fish that may compete with native or naturalized species, it is

unlawful to introduce any fish species except bluegill sunfish, golden shiner, fathead minnow, channel

catfish, and bait fish on a hook for the purpose of angling without written approval of the Freshwater

Fisheries Division.

In order to import fish to Maryland, out-of-state suppliers

must be registered with the Department. Companies

must comply with the Maryland Fish Health

Requirements to ensure that aquaculture

operations do not adversely impact wild stocks

of fish. Please do not release aquarium fish to the

wild.

To obtain information pertaining to permits, please

contact the Annapolis office at 410-260-8317.

I assume goldfish fall under aquarium fish. I would not do it if I were you. You would probably have the same luck fishing with minnows as goldfish.

guest reply :

Hey T-rig.

You sure that bait is from Lucky Craft?

It looks more like it came from a Mickey Mouse tackle box?

Talk about hooking fisherman..........I'll bet it cost a bundle too.

.dsaavedra. reply :

Quote
Hey T-rig.
You sure that bait is from Lucky Craft?

It looks more like it came from a Mickey Mouse tackle box?

Talk about hooking fisherman..........I'll bet it cost a bundle too.

yup that is by lucky craft. i did a search and found this website: http://www.ichibantackle.com/showproductdetail.asp?productid=1320&name=REAL%20VIB%2060&manufacturename=LUCKY%20CRAFT

it isnt really to catch fisherman because that goldfish isnt the only color. some of those colors look nice! i really like that aluminum gill!!!!

T-rig reply :

Quote

Quote
Hey T-rig.
You sure that bait is from Lucky Craft?

It looks more like it came from a Mickey Mouse tackle box?

Talk about hooking fisherman..........I'll bet it cost a bundle too.

yup that is by lucky craft. i did a search and found this website: http://www.ichibantackle.com/showproductdetail.asp?productid=1320&name=REAL%20VIB%2060&manufacturename=LUCKY%20CRAFT

it isnt really to catch fisherman because that goldfish isnt the only color. some of those colors look nice! i really like that aluminum gill!!!!

Thanks for the details!

Avid, once you have one of those baits in your hands you won't think that it came out of a Mickey Mouse tacklebox anymore !

guest reply :

Quote
Avid, once you have one of those baits in your hands you won't think that it came out of a Mickey Mouse tacklebox anymore

Well, just glance at my sig line and you KNOW that I'll be getting one sooner or later. It's just that the photo of it really looks like a cartoon bait. But, I'm a cartoon basser so it all works out

Avalonjohn44 reply :

Here are a couple of goldfish from River2Sea lures, awesome baits. My buddy got the top one at a fishing show and slays them on the rivers in southern VA.

T-rig reply :

I wonder who's imitating who?

Lucky Craft Kingyo Kashira:

.dsaavedra. reply :

those are pretty nice but i'd need something like that real vib that is orange and yellow. also the old guy was using the goldfish udner a bobber, so im gonna try my fly under a bobber and just jiggle it around.

David P reply :

Quote

Quote
yeah it is illegal but it doesnt really matter because this pond is very unpublicised( <---is that a word?) so i would definitley not get caught.

Since when does "not getting caught" mean that doing something wrong is ok.

There are documented cases of idiots bringing non native species to a lake for bait and wiping out the fishery because the "bait" that escapes reproduces and overtakes the system.

Son, your in the wrong place if you expect advice on how to get away with breaking the law.

Fish and game departments don't create regulations because they got bored one afternoon. There are important reasons why size limits, bag limits, and other regualtions are in place.

And don't be sure that you won't get caught. I and many others on this site consider it our duty to report violations to the local game wardens. Violators in Florida risk loosing thier right to fish, fines, jail time, and confiscation of all equipment, including the vehicle that got you there.

Let me suggest that you take the time and effort to develop skills so using illegal tactics is no advantage.

Let me further urge you to develop a true sportsman's mentality that is characterised by appreciation of the beauty and bounty of nature.

You will find this to be the "ultimate" resource. We will, and do assist new anglers to become responsible, and highly productive anglers who often outfish the poachers and low life's who break the law's.

We all will be happy to assist you in this endeavor.

Avid hit the nail on the head. This is a TRUE STORY:

I have fished a local Reservoir for the past 7-10 years. The looks of the reservoir out of water, and in the water have changed ENTIRELY.

The reservoir used to be filled with blue gill, crappie, bass of good size, and everything was "perfect". About 3-5 years ago, some guy came to the reservoir, and used yellow perch for bait.. A few escaped, or he dumped the leftovers in the water, and BAM - no more blue gill, no more crappie, and thus, the population of good size bass declined dramatically.

The perch were eating blue gill eggs, crappie eggs, bass eggs, and with no blue gill and less bass then before, it was a disaster.

They are slowly planting bluegill back in the waters, but it's been a tough few years..

Hope that helps.

BloomfieldBullitt reply :

its legal in Indiana

Big T reply :

According to the Wildlife officer I spoke to it is legal in North Carolina as well.

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Goldfish Bait 2025

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