Whether you’re fishing in freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia, live bait is one of the best options to catch fish. Predator species rely on bait-sized fish for survival, so therefore they have a more natural tendency to bite it. Although bait can be purchased, they can also be caught. Why should you fish with live bait?

Catching Live Bait Can Save You Money

Whether you invest in a minnow trap or a cast net, catching your bait will save a substantial amount of money, especially for the avid fisherman. Purchasing lures, soft plastics, jigs, and other artificials add up quickly.

Deploying a minnow trap in freshwater or saltwater can lead to a bucket full of live bait without hardly any effort at all.

When schools of bait gather together, the single throw of a cast net can also lead to more than enough bait for a day or two of fishing.

Investing in equipment such as a cast net or minnow trap costs far less than buying bait from a live bait shop week after week.

What Is A Cast Net

A cast net is a throwable mesh net with weights. The net consists of a long rope attached to the mesh on one end, and the other secures to the fisherman’s wrist. When thrown correctly, the net opens in the air to drape over the fish and sinks quickly due to the weights.

To use a cast net, it should be thrown in a circular motion causing it to open. If it does not open to its fullest potential, the amount of bait that can be trapped will be limited. Allow the net to sink and quickly retrieve it, so the bottom closes, preventing the live bait from escaping.

What Is a Minnow Trap

A minnow trap is a torpedo-shaped trap that is typically made of mesh or galvanized steel. Bait such as bread in freshwater or cut-up fish in saltwater should be placed inside. Tie a line to the trap.

The minnow trap should be used in areas with a low current to avoid it from being pulled. Add the bait, drop it in the water, and tie the line to a secure object. Return after a few hours to see how many baitfish have been caught.

How Do You Keep Live Bait Alive

The purpose of live bait is to keep it alive. Once the bait is caught, store it in a bucket with an aerator to allow oxygen to be fed into the water. Avoid storing the fish for more than a day.

Why Is Live Bait Better

To entice a fish to bite, they prefer something that is the most lifelike. A baitfish, when rigged adequately on a hook, will be as natural as it gets. The movement, smell, and familiar appearance will remove the weariness that a predator fish may have to strike the baitfish. A live baitfish will create vibration in the water that is familiar to gamefish and may appear in distress and an easy meal.

Catching Live Bait Takes Time

Sometimes time does not allow for catching baitfish. Whether you freshwater fishing and in need of shad or shiners. Saltwater fishing plan to fish with finger mullet, mudminnows, or goggle eyes live bait shops are always an option.

Search the internet for bait shop near me or bait store near me. A list will pull up with all of the options available. Make sure to call ahead and bring a bait bucket and air pump.

Give Live Bait A Try On Your Next Fishing Trip

It is hard for a saltwater gamefish like sea trout, redfish, or flounder to pass up a live bait just like much freshwater fish, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, or striped bass. The naturalness and motion will lead to more strikes than artificials. Save money by catching them or visit your local bait store when you’re on a time crunch.