Live Baitfish 2025
wuchr20 reply :
Does anyone know how to catch live bait that is not perch? I've tried using worms but the only thing I could catch is perch.
WRB reply :
Nets and traps.
Tom
Scott F reply :
When we're in the mood for something different, we find a small creek, use very tiny hooks, and tiny pieces of night crawler to catch some bait. A creek may have the minnows you might be looking for.
riverbasser13 reply :
Bread balls and tiny trout hooks.
Under the Radar reply :
On 12/13/2014 at 1:22 PM, wuchr20 said:Does anyone know how to catch live bait that is not perch? I've tried using worms but the only thing I could catch is perch.
it would help to know where you are located.
Alonerankin2 reply :
Yea , what type of baitfish?
Creeks? Lakes? Rivers?
Cast net & chum.. ( ground dog food or chicken feed works in some places.. Bait balls for shrimp..
More info gets a better answer for you..
Bassguytom reply :
Try an umbrella net throwing bread balls in it. A lot of places you are not allowed to use cast nets like here in PA.
fisherrw reply :
A long bait net can catch you all the shad you need.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I use a cast net to get most of my bait that I can't catch on a hook.
bassh8er reply :
On 12/14/2014 at 3:10 PM, Bluebasser86 said:I use a cast net to get most of my bait that I can't catch on a hook.
Just check your regs to make sure that is a legal opuion; it's not in just about everywhere in Nebraska.
Fish'N Impossible reply :
Seining net is how we always did it. We would head to a creek or feeder channel and cast a net. Seemed to work well for us, just check your local regulations to insure you're not violating any local laws.
hatrix reply :
We'll it depends on what your trying to catch. If it is minnows you can cut the top off a 2 liter and put it on backwards. Put some tasty treats in there for them along with some rocks or somethng to hold it down. I only tried it once with the kids and it worked but it didn't catch a lot.
Chris S reply :
On 12/14/2014 at 9:35 PM, bassh8er said:Just check your regs to make sure that is a legal opuion; it's not in just about everywhere in Nebraska.
Its legal in Kansas just cant transport from one Lake to another including minnows you have purchased
wuchr20 reply :
On 12/14/2014 at 2:37 AM, Under the Radar said:it would help to know where you are located
Seattle Washington
smallies24/7 reply :
I live in Seattle too. What baitfish are you looking for? Perch make up most of the fishes diet, followed by crawfish and bluegill and sculpin. Perch are by far the number 1 baitfish.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 12/17/2014 at 11:42 PM, Chris S said:Its legal in Kansas just cant transport from one Lake to another including minnows you have purchased
That's actually changed to my understanding. Now it's okay from non ANS bodies of water except you can't move them upstream past a dam on a river or stream. I could be interpreting completely wrong but I know it's changed.
Chris S reply :
On 12/18/2014 at 2:47 PM, Bluebasser86 said:That's actually changed to my understanding. Now it's okay from non ANS bodies of water except you can't move them upstream past a dam on a river or stream. I could be interpreting completely wrong but I know it's changed.
- Wild-caught baitfish may be used as live bait only within the common drainage where caught and shall not be transported upstream across any dam or barrier that prohibits the normal passage of fish. Bluegill and green sunfish collected from non-designated aquatic nuisance waters may be possessed or used as live bait anywhere in the state. No person may possess any live fish upon departure from any designated aquatic nuisance species water
- http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/Fishing-Regulations/Bait-Fish
I only use crawlers at Hillsdale for Mr Eye so no worry on my part 
teamtrout reply :
On 12/13/2014 at 1:22 PM, wuchr20 said:Does anyone know how to catch live bait that is not perch? I've tried using worms but the only thing I could catch is perch.
On 12/18/2014 at 7:12 AM, smallies24/7 said:Perch make up most of the fishes diet, followed by crawfish and bluegill and sculpin. Perch are by far the number 1 baitfish.
Yeah, don't look past perch: they're great bait. In fact, 90% of the time when I am using minnows, I have a perch hooked with a big 'ol circle hook. I caught my biggest bass on a perch. Out here, we use them from 1-3 inches for trout and salmon (especially for ice fishing), and 4-8 inches for bass. Bigger is better, to an extent.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 12/19/2014 at 12:37 AM, Chris S said:
- Wild-caught baitfish may be used as live bait only within the common drainage where caught and shall not be transported upstream across any dam or barrier that prohibits the normal passage of fish. Bluegill and green sunfish collected from non-designated aquatic nuisance waters may be possessed or used as live bait anywhere in the state. No person may possess any live fish upon departure from any designated aquatic nuisance species water
- http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/Fishing-Regulations/Bait-Fish
I only use crawlers at Hillsdale for Mr Eye so no worry on my part
That's the only part I care about since they're the only live bait I really ever use. When I use them it's almost always taking them from a lake to the river for catfish anyways. Not anything in the lakes that aren't already in the rivers.
Jar11591 reply :
What's wrong with perch as bait? They're a great bait. Easy to catch and usually the perfect size.
blackmax135 reply :
I like using a cork, split shot, and small hook catch some bream.
blackmax135 reply :
and a cricket
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 12/23/2014 at 7:15 PM, Jar11591 said:What's wrong with perch as bait? They're a great bait. Easy to catch and usually the perfect size.
If you're talking about yellow perch, they're illegal to use for bait anywhere I've ever been that has them. Bluegills and green sunfish (also commonly called "perch" even though they're not related) are legal to use in some areas and not in others.
Jar11591 reply :
On 12/23/2014 at 7:51 PM, Bluebasser86 said:If you're talking about yellow perch, they're illegal to use for bait anywhere I've ever been that has them. Bluegills and green sunfish (also commonly called "perch" even though they're not related) are legal to use in some areas and not in others.
I was referring to yellow perch. I believe in NY they are legal to use as long as it's the same body of water they were caught from and you don't go over the daily limit which I think is 50.
teamtrout reply :
Yeah, they are legal in MA, and can be transported as they are on the bait fish list.
WRB reply :
California cast nets are illegal in fresh water.
Dip nets are legal if the hoop diameter is under 28" for fresh water.
Eagle Claw makes a good minnow trap, crawdad traps are availble from several stores including BPS and Cabela's.
Tom
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