Freshwater Fishing News

A variety of equipment is available for catching, holding and using live minnows and other freshwater fishing baits.

Equipment for Catching Wild Baitfish

Depending on the area, species, local regulations and other factors, minnows and other baitfish may be caught with cast nets, seines, minnow traps, fish traps, lures or by other methods.

Before harvesting baits such as minnows, suckers, shad or other forage species, it is imperative that anglers check with local regulations. In some areas such as the Great Lakes region, the harvesting and relocation of baitfish has been strictly regulated in order to curb the spread of dangerous diseases and aquatic invasive species.

Live Bait Tanks – Containers

Containers are important when storing minnows or other live baits for long periods. In most cases, anglers must keep minnows in closed systems such as live bait tanks, large aquariums or other containers. Regardless of the type of container, minnows and other fish require a clean, oxygen rich environment to remain healthy.

Some anglers have shoreline access to freshwater ponds, lakes or other bodies of water. In some cases, live baits can be stored in these areas, through the use of in-water pens or cages.

Live bait cages can be constructed by hand or purchased from aquaculture supply stores. Most models are designed to float and are often anchored to a dock or pier. Other designs lie on the bottom with a line attached for retrieval.

Live bait pens offer several advantages. Holding pens usually do not require aerators. Problems associated with feeding fish and waste are also reduced. Disadvantages of live bait pens includes their susceptibility to predators, theft and weather damage.

Aerators and Live Wells

Live wells are essential for live bait fishing. These containers are designed to keep fish alive and healthy while out fishing. Most designs incorporate some form of aerator. The simplest aerators use an air pump and bubbler stone to saturate the water with oxygen. Aerators can be either battery powered or powered by a boat’s electrical system. For containment systems, aerators are available that are powered by standard electrical outlets.

Other models of aerators use a flow of water, rather than pressurized air. These are often the best choice for larger applications. Smaller units simply pump water to a short outlet, which sets up a swirling current in the container. More elaborate designs sometimes use a bar with a series of holes to spray multiple streams on water down into the container.

When choosing a system for maintaining baits, the angler should consider the length of time it will be needed, amount of bait that must be kept healthy and other factors. For anglers that fish only occasionally, a simple battery powered aerator and 5 gallon bucket may be all that is needed. Other anglers might go a step further and maintain a dedicated live bait system on their boat.

Although most anglers simply visit their local bait and tackle shop to purchase baits, this option is not practical for everyone. In some areas, live baits are not available locally. In other cases, cost or convenience warrant the construction of a long term bait storage system. These are especially useful for fishing guides, tournament fishermen or other anglers that need a reliable supply of minnows or other live baits.

A pre-dawn bluegill sunfish

For panfish fanatics, having an arsenal of techniques can make the difference between success and disappointment while fishing for bluegill, pumpkinseed and other sunfish species.

As sunfish are members of the same family as largemouth and smallmouth bass, it’s not surprising to learn that many of the same tactics that fool trophy bass will also catch sunfish. The lures or rigs may be smaller, but the basic concepts apply.

When targeting trophy sized sunfish, try fishing as early as possible in the morning. In some locations the bite can be incredible during the first hour of daylight. The same goes for late evening, a time when sunfish often feed heavily.

Sunfish often exhibit territorial behavior that is nearly identical to largemouth bass. Recognizing structures that sunfish orient to and defend can be extremely effective. Casting to these structures requires accuracy as bluegill, pumpkinseed and other sunfish sometime hold tight but will attack any small object that enters their territory.

Areas where sunfish feed are often overlooked. The fish may be practically at your feet. When fishing from boats, cast as close to shorelines or cover as possible. Fishing kayaks offer access to many of the best panfish habitats where traditional boaters cannot fish.

Experienced sunfish anglers pay attention to seasonal food sources and switch lures or baits to take advantage of fish behavior. Sunfish are cunning, opportunistic feeders that quickly develop feeding patterns, when insect or other invertebrate populations increase locally. Among the most well known seasonal baits are grasshoppers and crickets, both of which sunfish quickly learn to gorge on.

Target areas of water flow such as natural springs, culverts, dams, channels, and intersections of creeks. In tidal areas, sunfish anglers should pay attention to tide states, following movements of fish and learning which tidal states result in the best fishing.

Keep essential fishing gear handy, including line cutters, pliers, bait knife, camera, etc.

The largemouth bass, one of North America’s most popular freshwater fish, is an opportunistic feeder. Adult bass are voracious, eating nearly anything that they can swallow, including fish, crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and even members of their own species.

Young bass begin feeding on plankton soon after birth. They eventually leave the nest to seek cover and find food. Although newly hatched bass are vulnerable, they feed heavily, growing quickly during the Spring. Within a few months they have become skilled predators, gulping down young bluegill sunfish, small minnows, tadpoles, invertebrates and practically anything they can catch. Depending on their geographic location, water temperature and food supply, they may reach lengths of 4-8 inches in the first year.

Adult largemouth bass often feed on other members of the sunfish family. In many locations, bluegill sunfish are the main food source for bass. Other favorite meals include pumpkinseed and redear sunfish.

Largemouth feed heavily on non-native species in some lakes and rivers. They often gobble up young rainbow trout or other stocked species of fish that come within range. In some lakes, forage species such as gizzard shad or alewives have been introduced and make up a significant part of largemouth bass diets.

Another favorite meal of adult largemouth bass is the American bullfrog, a large aquatic frog, usually found along the water’s edge. Bullfrogs live in freshwater ponds, lakes, and marshes from Canada, southward throughout the continental United States and into Mexico. Their large webbed feet make them excellent swimmers but when caught in open water, they are no match for a trophy bass.

Crayfish are a favorite food of bass. Also known as crawfish or crawdads, these freshwater crustaceans resemble small lobsters. About 390 species of crayfish are found in North America, most ranging from 1-4 inches in length. They hide under rocks or in vegetation along the shoreline, occasionally stumbling into open waters where largemouth can feed on them.

Experienced fishermen often pay close attention to habitat and structure before and while fishing, looking for clues about what types of forage are available for largemouth bass. In some cases, matching the predominant food source can pay off.

All along the Mid-Atlantic Coast, anglers were kept inside for much of January and February of 2010 due to bitter cold and snow. Fortunately, March has been nicer and fish have begun to feed on warmer days.

In much of the country, crappie are among the first species that anglers target in the late Winter and Spring. In ponds, lakes and creeks, crappie move into the shallows on sunny days, feeding aggressively in the warm water.

To prepare for a late winter or early season crappie trip, anglers have a variety of things to consider. First is a trip to the local tackle shop, as many of us will need new fishing licenses, fresh line, bait and perhaps a few lures. Crappie tackle is affordable and simple to find. A few basic lures will usually suffice.

For starters, most anglers find that a small selection of jigs and soft plastic bodies to be productive. Jigs in the 1/16 to 1/4 oz. range usually work well, with curly tail bodies in chartreuse, white and motor oil being popular colors. Other soft plastic body styles may be used with size, shape and color open to experimentation. Traditional crappie jigs are also essential, with a few patterns being the most popular. Small jigs are fished alone or sometimes with a spinner blade, depending on conditions and angler preference. For an entire season of crappie fishing, a more extensive selection of lures might be necessary, but in the cool waters of spring, simple jigs are often all that is needed.

Rather than use artificial lures, many anglers will fish for crappie with live bait. Common crappie baits include minnows, nightcrawlers, bloodworms, maggots, grass shrimp and small crawfish. Live baits can be fished under a bobber or on a 2 hook bottom rig. Another popular crappie rig uses a small jig head in combination with a live minnow.

Weather conditions are important for early season crappie fishing. Depending on factors, crappie may suspend in deeper areas or move into shallow flats to feed. In late winter thru early spring, anglers sometimes achieve excellent results if they are able to catch a sunny day with calm or moderate winds. In these conditions, anglers can scout the body of water, looking for areas of flat, shallow water that are exposed to direct sun. Water temperature often rises considerably in these conditions, triggering fish to feed.

Casting jigs is a good way to locate early season crappie. A slow retrieve, combined with occasional twitches of the rod are known to be effective. Once crappie are located, anglers can continue to cast or switch to live baits. If the weather does not cooperate, other tactics may be necessary.

Late Winter and early Spring weather can be very unpredictable and subject to change at a moment’s notice. Sunny days are not a sure thing and in some areas, rain and even snow are constant problems. Not only does rain and snow hamper immediate fishing, but excessive runoff can shut down fishing for days. Storm water may carry silt and debris which hamper visibility and rising water levels scatter crappie and baitfish. Anglers can do little but wait in these situations.

Once things settle down, crappie enthusiasts may find fish suspended near channel edges, waiting to move when conditions improved. If the fish remain in this holding pattern, their suppressed appetite may be triggered by being very patient and vertically jigging with crappie jigs, soft plastics or small metal jigs. As with other situations, a live minnow or other live bait may also incite fish to strike if fished at the correct depth.

As the weather cycles thru periods of warm clear days mixed with storms, anglers can switch tactics as necessary, watching for changes in behavior. Eventually warm weather will dominate the season and crappie will begin the spawning season.