FISH ON LIVE BAIT SELECTOR GUIDE

Back to Main Page

 
Bait Type   Target Fish Usage Notes
       

Bass Minnows

bass minnow Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Pike, Walleye, Crappie, Striper, Trout, Catfish Best used when water temperatures rise, after ice-out.
Crappie Minnows crappie minnow Crappie, Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Catfish An all-season bait for smaller predatory firsh. Highly effective for cold water fishi.ng.
Shiners
(Fathead Minnows)
shiner Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Trout A larger bait for larger fish, Bass can be expecially aggressive towards them in the Spring, during breeding season..
       
Nightcrawlers
(Earthworms)
nightcrawler Bluegill, Crappie, Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Trout, Catfish, Carp Universal appeal to a wide variety of fish species. Nightcrawlers can be rigged in several different styles to be effective in many different situations.
Red Worms redworms Bluegill, Crappie, Panfish, Trout Appeal to a large variety of smaller species. Effective for trout in moving streams.
Wax Worms
(Bee Larva)
wax worms Crappie, Bluegill, Sunfish, Perch, Trout Soft texture makes them irrestible to many panfish. Popular for ice fishing. Better action than spikes. Effective in weedy areas.

Spikes
(Bottlefly Larva)

spikes Crappie, Bluegill, Sunfish, Perch, Trout Tougher than wax worms, hold onto the hook better than waxies. An ice fishing staple. Must be kept refridgerated.
       
:Leeches leeches Bass, Walleye, Bluegill A valuable food source for many predatory freshwater fish. Bass are particularly fond of leeches and actively hunt them.
Shrimp shrimp Catfish, Bass, Walleye, Pike Excellent catfish bait. Work best in water temperatures below 70 degrees.
Liver
(Chicken Liver)
chicken liver Catfish, Striped Bass Strong scent makes it a popular catfish bait. Important to secure the liver to the hook using basket method or pantyhose so that it is not easily sucked off the hook.