Live bait fishing
Live bait fishing plays on a predator's instinct to eat exactly what it is already hunting. A frisky baitfish swimming naturally is irresistible, which is why live bait so often out fishes lures when the bite gets tough. The craft lies in catching and keeping your bait lively, then hooking and presenting it so it swims like it should.
Effective year round when live bait is available
How it works
- 1Catch or buy lively bait and keep it healthy in an aerated well or bucket with fresh water.
- 2Hook the bait to keep it swimming naturally, through the nose or lips for casting or in front of the dorsal for free lining.
- 3Match your bait to what the fish are feeding on locally for the best results.
- 4Free line, float under a cork, or fish it on a weighted rig depending on where the fish are holding.
- 5Use a leader and hook sized to the bait and target so the presentation stays natural.
- 6Let a fish take the bait fully before coming tight, especially with circle hooks that set on steady pressure.
Gear
Match your rod and reel to your target, from light spinning gear for shrimp and small baitfish to heavy tackle for big live baits. Use a fluorocarbon leader, appropriately sized hooks, and keep an aerated bait well or bucket running.
Tips
- • Healthy, lively bait catches far more than sluggish bait. Keep your water cool, aerated, and not overcrowded.
- • Hook baits lightly and in the right spot so they swim freely and naturally.
- • Circle hooks work well with live bait. Let the fish eat and simply come tight rather than swinging for a hookset.
Knots to know
FAQ
How do I keep my live bait alive longer?
Keep the water cool, well aerated, and not overcrowded, and change it if it gets warm or dirty. An aerated bait well or a bucket with a battery pump makes a huge difference, and handling bait gently keeps it lively.
How should I hook a live baitfish?
It depends on the presentation. Hook through the nose or lips when casting or trolling so the bait tracks straight, or just in front of the dorsal fin when free lining so it swims away naturally from the boat.