Some of the most effective baitfish aren’t readily available at bait shops. It could be because they’re difficult to catch, or hard to keep alive in a tank. Fisherman who want to use these species are going to have to catch them themselves. You can use a variety of techniques to quickly catch loads of live bait. So how do you catch baitfish?
Check Out my other posts to learn how to store and keep your baitfish alive.
Choose The Right Time and Location
The best times to catch baitfish are in the early morning and late evenings. That’s when bait fish are most likely to be in the shallow waters. Catching them becomes much more difficult at midday when the hot sun forces them to deeper waters. Some fish like smelt are best caught in the middle of the night. Like most other fish, bait fish are most frequently found near structures. They have to hide behind structures, because they’re easily eaten when out in the open. To fin fish look under docks, near large overhangs, around fallen timber, next to large rocks and around just about any other structure.
The fisherman that’s alert to the signs of baitfish are most likely to catch them. Most small baitfish swim in schools, so they’re sure to leave a trace. Watch out for schools of minnows dimpling just above the surface. Look for large swirls and splashes made by predators attacking in the shallows. If you stand motionless on a peer you’ll most likely see schools of bait. Polarized fishing glasses should help you see into the water below.
Trapping Baitfish
Trapping is an easy way to catch baitfish. I like to set up one of the Gee-Feets Minnow Traps the night before I go fishing. It costs a few bucks and almost pays for itself on the first day of use. All you need to do is bait the trap and set it in the shallows of any lake, stream or pond. You can bait it with just about any type of crackers, but I like those cheap oyster crackers you get with soup.
How to Set Your Trap
- Snap Open the Trap and fill it with a few pieces of bread or crackers
- If you’re trapping in a stream place a few rocks in the bottom so the current doesn’t blow your trap away.
- If the water is muddy you’re going to want to attach a small marker to keep track of your trap.
- Set the trap in shallow water and wait for fish to come. In rivers you’re going to want to place the opening downstream so it catches minnows moving upstream. Bait-fish funnel into the coneshaped tube and can’t escape the other side.
- Leave the Trap several hours or come back the following morning
Important Tip If you trap in a pond or lake with a lot of algae make sure you remove the trap before dark. Algae produces oxygen during the day but consumes it at night. Baitfish entering the trap during the day will most likely die throughout the night.
Seining Fish
A single Seine haul will catch enough minnow for more than a month of fishing. If you fish daily or need a lot of fish it’s the best method for catching fish. You’ll be able to quickly catch large groups of baitfish that school around lakeshores and large stream pools.
You don’t have to spend a lot to buy a decent seine. You can find an inexpensive minnow seine online or find them at your local tackle shop. The most popular size is going to be 4 feet deep by 20-25 feet long. For added durability look for seines made out of nylon and other synthetic materials. Old cotton models are still floating around flea markets, but they tend to quickly rot if stored wet and deteriorate in bright sunlight.
Catching Minnows With a Seine
- Two people should hold the seine on each end with one man going out into the water. The person in the water should pull the seine with the outside seiner moving ahead of the person near the shore. The outside person moving faster will help stop fish from swimming around the net.
- Keep the lead line on bottom and the floats on the surfaces. Pulling the line net too fast will raise the lead line allowing the fish to escape.
- Trap fish by swinging the outside pole towards the shore without lifting the net. Once the lead line has been pulled to shore you can lift the net trapping fish.
Cast Netting Baitfish
A cast net will allow a single fisherman to quickly catch baitfish in open water. You most likely won’t get as many fash as with a seine, but it’s much easier. Cast nets work best for baitfish that school near the surface. Fish near the bottom will most likely scatter before the net reaches them. Try and concentrate the fish before throwing using some type of bait. I like to throw in a couple pieces of bread and wait a few minutes before casting my net.
At first throwing a cast net can be a little bit difficult. But with a little practice you’ll figure out how and when to throw your net. When thrown the net will open into a large cone catching a ton of minnows. Weights fastened around the open end will strike first and sink faster then the rest. Once the net drops pull your line to close the net and retrieve your baitfish.
Which Size Net: Most commercial fishing stores will carry some type of net, but you normally don’t have a lot of options. If you can’t find what your looking for in store you can always find different sizes online. For personal use you’ll most likely want a 5 foot net. You can go a little bit bigger, but you’re going to need to do a lot of fishing. Commercial operators should choose something like this 9 foot cast net
How to Throw a Cast Net to Catch Minnows
- Tie the line to your wrist. With the same hand grasp the net where it’s attached to the line. Hold the lead line with your other hand and teeth.
- Twist at the waist and throw the net spinning it with your arms and shoulders. Make sure the nets completely open when it hits the water.
- Allow the net to sink until it completely surrounds the fish. Quickly pull the retrieving line drawing the net shut. Retrieve your net slowly to avoid injuring the fish.
Use an Umbrella or Dip Net
Umbrella and dip nets work best when fish are crowded together in tight schools. Umbrella nets which are also called drop nets are available online and at any commercial fishing store. I really like the affordable Ranger Umbrella net, but there are a ton of great options. Most umbrella nets are made out of 3-4 feet of square nylon netting. The metal frame keeps the net open for easy trapping.
How to Use an Umbrella Net or Drop Net
- Lower the net with a rope attached to the center of the frame.
- Pull the net straight up from a dock pier or boat.
- If possible leave the net partially submerged and remove the baitfish with a small hand net
Catch Minnows With a Dip Net
You most likely have a dip net somewhere in your garage, but they can be find at any fishing store. Many different kinds of dip nets are sold at tackle shops. Nylon nets have long been a popular choice, offering extreme durability. Nylon nets are easy to pull through the water quickly catching fish. You should aim for a 1-2 foot diameter dip net that’s at least 2 feet deep. Dip nets are available online, but they tend to be cheaper in your local store.