Fishing Bait Tips

The options

The three most commonly used types of bait are minnows, leeches, and nightcrawlers (worms). Their sizes range from small to large, and beyond, and can be used to catch nearly any fish that swims. Other bait options include crickets, crayfish, frogs, and grasshoppers. Some of the most sought-after game fish, and the bait options to lure them, are: Sunfish (small minnows, leeches, worms, and insects); walleyes (leeches, minnows, nightcrawlers, and frogs); bass (crayfish, minnows, leeches, frogs, and nightcrawlers); pike (large minnows and frogs); muskies (large minnows and frogs).

Keep it fresh

Live bait is so effective at tempting fish to bite is because it looks and behaves naturally, even when it is impaled on a hook. But anglers must take care of their bait in order for it to be effective. All bait should be kept in cool, shaded areas that are not in the direct sunlight. Leeches and minnows must be kept in cool water with plenty of oxygen. Worms also should be kept in cool temperatures, and in moist soil or in newspaper that is moist and torn up. Keep frogs and crayfish in boxes or crates with a little bit of water. Insects can be stored in boxes. Whatever the type, it's a good idea to use the bait as soon as possible after buying or catching it.

Rigging

There are generally two rigging methods for bait: fishing it on a live-bait rig or underneath a bobber. A live-bait rig generally consists of a walking sinker, swivel, leader, and hook. Those types of rigs are especially effective for walleyes, northern pike, and bass. Some baits, especially frogs and crayfish, can be fished on a hook and nothing else. With the exception of frogs, which need air to remain active, any bait can be impaled on a hook and fished beneath a bobber. That rig, includes the bobber, a split shot sinker or two and a hook. Just make sure the bobber is big enough so the bait itself does not pull the bobber underneath the water.

Active and alive

Whenever you are fishing with bait, and no matter what type of rig you are using, make sure your bait stays alive and active. While a leech that hangs limply off the end of a hook likely would not tempt any fish to bait, the same leech, if kept fresh, would swim seductively and be far more likely to cause a fish to bite. Check your bait every so often to make sure it is fresh. To do so, hold it in your hand and see if it moves, or put the bait, with the hook still in it, in the water just off the side of the boat and make sure it swims and is active. If your bait is not active, change to one that is.