As an angler, you have the choice of selecting different bait to match the fishing conditions. One of the most popular bait choices is live bait, including minnows, shad or shiner, as it provides the most realistic bait presentation. Using live bait requires special techniques and strategies to be effective. Following a few tips and tactics can help improve your fishing success while using live bait.
Watch the Eyes
Keep your bait alive as long as possible. A natural presentation is a key to successful fishing. Steve Taylor from Outdoor Services of Oklahoma recommends using a set of gang hooks to help keep a natural bait presentation. Another way to maintain the lifelike presentation after you hook the live bait is to resist hooking the bait directly through the eyes. When game fish sees the eyes of the bait fish, they will become more aggressive and bite the hook. If you do hook the bait through the eyes, they will be more likely to fall off the hook while casting.
Mix Up the Size
Use the right sized live bait. The size of the live bait is crucial to successful fishing. As a general rule, big bait will catch big fish and small bait may catch more fish. Taylor suggests mixing the size of the bait from live shad, shiners or minnows to attract bites from different sized fish. Always select a hook size that is proportional to the size of the live bait. Using a hook that is too big will prevent the bait from swimming naturally through the water.
Go Fresh
Always use fresh live bait. Using the freshest and healthiest bait will result in more strikes from surrounding fish. Taylor suggests passing up weak, unhealthy live bait. Use ice, such as a frozen 2-liter plastic bottle, during the summer to keep the bait tank water cool. Make sure the water is free from impurities, chlorine or heavy metals. Using an aerator will help to keep the water fresh and the live bait alive.
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