How do I Catch Live Bait for Fishing?

larvae 21. image by mdb from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Fishing with live bait often produces good results, especially if the angler can present prey that fish typically see in the course of their feeding. These creatures include worms, insect larvae, adult insects and minnnows. While you can opt to purchase many kinds of live bait at your local tackle shop, you can also save money, get some exercise and have some fun catching it yourself.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Flashlight
Plastic containers
Fine mesh net
Fishing tackle

Step 1

Shine a flashlight on the ground during a warm damp evening to locate and catch night crawlers. Bend down as you walk with your light shining directly in front of you. Grab any night crawlers you spot quickly, using your thumb and first two fingers to pin the large worm down until you can get a better grip. Apply steady but gentle pressure to bring the night crawler out of its hole. Place it in a container after you catch it.

Step 2

Dislodge rocks from the shallows of rivers, brooks and streams to catch crayfish. These small crustaceans typically hide under rocks underwater during the day. Look for them to be more active at night; they will often be close to shore in less than 6 inches of water. Catch the crayfish by putting a large plastic container or a fine mesh net behind them and bringing your other hand toward the crayfish. Crayfish move backward in the water, so this will usually cause the crayfish to swim right into the container or net where you can scoop it up.

Step 3

Tear apart rotted logs and turn over downed tree trunks and large rocks to catch insect larvae. Walk through woodlands after a rain when the moisture will make ripping open stumps and logs less problematic. Kick at stumps and logs to see how rotten they may be. Have a container at your disposal for the grubs you discover. Look in vegetable gardens and under the leaves of low hanging branches for insect larvae feeding on vegetation.

Step 4

Walk through the tall grass of meadows and fields to scare up grasshoppers. Look ahead as you walk for any jumping insects and follow their flight as they escape in front of you. Cup your hand and swipe rapidly at grasshoppers as they cling to the blades of grass before they get the chance to jump away. Use a thin mesh net if one is available to increase your chances of corralling these bugs.

Step 5

Catch smaller fish such as dace and pumpkinseeds using a piece of worm suspended beneath a fishing float. You can cut fish such as these up into chunks and smaller pieces to tempt larger species, including catfish. Use a No. 4 hook tied beneath a fishing float about 18 inches from the hook and cast close to shore. Watch the bobber closely and hook the fish when you see the float begin to go down in the water. Place the baitfish in a pail of water until you are ready to use them.

Article Written By John Lindell

John Lindell has written articles for "The Greyhound Review" and various other online publications. A Connecticut native, his work specializes in sports, fishing and nature. Lindell worked in greyhound racing for 25 years.

Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
More Backcountry Camping...
Popular Article

Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
More Beach Camping...
Featured Video

Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
More Camping Basics...