How to Bait a Saltwater Minnow Trap

Catching your own minnows is a great way to save money on bait and have fresh minnows at your disposal. Saltwater minnows such as pinfish and mullet have a strong sense of smell and will home in on your minnow trap if properly baited.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Baiting the Trap

Things You’ll Need:

Minnow Trap
White Bread
Pebbles
Squid Oil
Shrimp Oil
Mixing Bowl

Step 1

Saltwater minnow traps allow minnows to swim into a holding tank without letting the minnows swim back out. A strong smelling bait will lure the minnows in the trap and keep them there until it's time to fish.

Step 2

Tear the crusts off the pieces of white bread and break the pieces down into smaller chunks. Put the pieces of bread into the mixing bowl and moisten with some water.

Step 3

Add enough shrimp and squid oil to coat the moist bread mixture. Then add a handful of pebbles to the mixture, this will add weight to keep the bait down in the minnow trap.

Step 4

Roll the mixture into small balls and place these in the minnow trap. As the bread begins to dissolve in the water, the scent from the shrimp and squid oil will disperse in the water causing a slick that will fill your minnow trap in a matter of hours.

Tips & Warnings

Add fresh pieces of shrimp or squid to the mixture, this will enhance the scent trail and make the bait even more effective.

Check your trap every couple hours and re-bait as necessary.

Resources

Cabelas

Article Written By Brian M. Kelly

Brian M. Kelly has been freelance writing since 2003. His work has been published in respected outdoor magazines such as Outdoor Life, Great Lakes Angler and Salmon Trout Steelheader. He holds an associate's degree in automated machine design from Macomb College.

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