Author: Jeff Matura
Without a doubt live bait has always been and always will be a very effective presentation for all species of freshwater game fish. As a bonus such presentations are also quite easy to implement and simple for fisherman of all ages.
Night Crawlers are the probably the most common live bait used by fisherman. Crawlers are effective for about every freshwater game fish with the crappies being one exception. Typically crawlers work best during warmer water periods. Crawlers can be simply fished under a bobber for bluegills, trolled on a Lindy rig for walleyes, or fished on a plain hook with a few split shot for just about any specie of freshwater fish. The rigging options for this bait are almost endless. Night crawlers are best stored in a refrigerator or a cool basement floor.
Minnows are another versatile live bait option and are effective for crappies, bass, and walleyes. Minnows can be fished underneath a bobber also and this technique can be very effective for crappies and walleyes. When hooking a minnow to be fished under a bobber hook the minnow right under the dorsal fin. Minnows can also be trolled using a Lindy rig or a three-way. A small one to two inch minnow is best for crappies while a 3 inch minnow works better for walleyes. When hooking a minnow to be trolled lightly hood the minnow just behind the lips as you want the minnow to stay alive for it’s natural action as long as possible. Do not hook a minnow through its eyes as that will result in a lifeless minnow with no action.
Shad and creek chubs are an excellent live bait choice for northern pike and larger bass. Both baits can be fished under a bobber and hooked just below the dorsal fin or fished on a jig in which case they should be hooked just behind the lips as with a minnow. Using a 5-7 inch creek chub is common when fishing for large pike.
Leeches are another popular live bait option for walleyes and panfish. Like a night crawler leeches are most effective during warmer water periods. Healthy leeches produce a tantalizing action when either fished below a bobber or trolled on a Lindy rig. Leeches should be hooked through their sucker for wither bobber fishing or trolling. Leeches are best stored in a refrigerator and will live for weeks.
Leopard frogs are a good for summertime catfish, bass, northern, and fall time walleyes. These frogs can be found in taller grass along a creek bank and marshy areas. Frogs are typically fished on the bottom with just a plain hook and casting weight a foot or so above the hook. Frogs are best hooked right through the lips.
Crawdads work well for summertime catfish, smallmouth bass, and even walleyes. Crawdads are typical fished on the bottom with a plain hook and anchored with a sinker such as a rubber core sinker. Crawdads are placed on a hook by threading a hook through its tail. Star the hook at the end of the tail on the bottom of its tail. Large pinchers should also be removed right before using a crawdad for fishing.
Crickets are another live bait option for panfish such as bluegill and crappies. This live bait can be fished on the surface with just a plain hook or a hook and split shot on the bottom. To hook a a live cricket just barely hook the top corner of its body.
Good Luck fishing this season and always remember to fish safe!
About the author: Jeff Matura has been fishing during the open water season and through the ice for over twenty years. The majority of his time fishing has been spent in the Midwest on lakes and rivers including the Mississippi River for crappie, walleye, and bass.
Be sure to visit his latest site to find the best deals on portable depth finders.
