Every angler has their go-to power bait or lure; however, not many realize the true power of fishing with live bait. Not only are live baits cheaper, but they can also help you catch bigger fish!
Before setting out on your next fishing trip, be sure to stock up on live bait. But wait! Which live baits should you take with you? Below you will learn about the best types of live bait for freshwater fishing and which ones you should bring on your next trip. Let’s get started!
BEST LIVE BAIT
1. Worms
Worms and nightcrawlers are every fisherman’s go-to live bait option. Worms and nightcrawlers are usually the first type of bait we all used when learning to fish. While fishing with worms may seem mundane or childish even, there is a reason it is so popular. Freshwater fish love to eat worms!
Bring worms on your next fishing trip if fishing for trout, bass, or bluegill. Pretty much any type of fish will take a snap at a worm though.
You can purchase worms at a tackle shop or even at your local Walmart. Run the hook through the worm (you only need to use about half of the worm) and cast!
2. Minnows
Fishing with fish?! That’s right.
Minnows are one of the best live baits you can use while freshwater fishing. Fish have their food chain. Small fish get eaten by bigger fish, and the big fish get eaten by you–but only if you catch them.
You can get minnows for your fishing trip at a tackle shop, or you can catch some of your own. Never caught minnows before? Watch the following video to learn how!
Once you have collected your minnows, it is time to go fishing.
When fishing with live minnows as bait, you want to use a thin hook. Too large of a hook will damage the minnow too much. You want the minnow to remain alive for as long as possible. A live minnow will swim around and attract the attention of larger fish.
There are several ways you can set up your minnow on the hook. Either run the hook through the top of the back or the back of the tail. These methods will keep the minnow alive longer and allow them to move more freely.
You can catch bass, pickerel, bluegill, catfish, pike, crappie, perch, bullheads, and trout. There are many more species you can capture with this method.
3. Grasshoppers (and other insects)
One of the fish’s primary food sources is insects. Among their favorite insects is the grasshopper. Grasshoppers are bigger insects that contain lots of protein. This extra boost of protein makes them a desirable meal for many fish.
Catch grasshoppers while walking through a grassy field slowly. Once you have caught enough grasshoppers, put them on the hook. You can either run the hook through the shoulders or the body. You should use a smaller hook for grasshoppers as well. After casting your grasshopper, let it sit just below the surface and no lower.
Other insects you can use for live bait are stoneflies, mayflies, caddisflies, crickets, and even regular flies! As a rule of thumb, if you can find the bug near the river, you can fish with it.
4. Frogs
Fishing with live frogs may be illegal, depending on the area you are fishing in. Before catching any frogs to use as bait, check your local restrictions.
Catching live frogs will be an excursion on its own. Catching frogs is much like catching fish. A single spin rod with some live bait will allow you to capture plenty of frogs. You can even use some frog-specific lures. Keep your cast moving to entice the frogs to bite.
If you are not having any luck with “frog fishing,” jump in the water and try your luck catching them by hand. Use frogs when fishing for catfish, bass, or pike. You’ll attract fish that are capable of handling large, meaty, and feisty prey.
5. Leeches
While we typically try to avoid leeches, fish enjoy leeches as a snack. Check your local restrictions to see if the body of water you want to go to permits using leeches as bait.
You can purchase leeches at tackle shops in a variety of sizes. The larger the leech, the larger the fish you can catch.
Hook your leech through the suction cup located on the back of the leech. The leech will attempt to swim away from the hook attracting the attention of surrounding fish. Leeches are best when fishing for walleyes, bass, and catfish.
6. Maggots
Maggot fishing is a bit more difficult due to the bug’s small size.
Many use either a bait rocket or Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) to attract fish to the maggots. Others use maggots to create what is known as a Swedish pimple.
While more commonly known as a lure, a Swedish pimple can be made from live bait as well. A Swedish pimple is a maggot with a salmon egg and is primarily used for ice fishing.
Ready to fish with maggots? Watch the following video to learn how!
7. Crawdads
Crawdads are known by many names. Whether you refer to it as a crawdad, a crayfish, or a crawfish, it can be used as live bait while fishing. Crawdads, like frogs, can be caught by hand for fishing. Once your crawdads are in hand, it is time to set the hook.
Crawdads can be used when fishing for bass, catfish, or larger trout species.
Learn how to set a crawdad on your hook in the video below!
8. Clams and Mussels
Clams and mussels are an irresistible meal to most fish species. However, you should only use clams and mussels as live bait in bodies of water where they are native. Fishing with clams or mussels in other bodies of water could introduce them to the habitat and push out other fish species.
Gather your bait from the body of water you are fishing in (not only will this prevent introducing a non-native species, but it will ensure you have fresh bait). Crack the shells and let the bait harden in the sun. If the bait is still soft when you put it on the hook, chances are it will fall off.
Many fishermen suggest salting your clams before fishing with them so they will open up and be a more tempting target.
