bluesfish Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 hey I've got this minnow trap cause I've been trying to catch some minnows for bait. Thought i can't figure out which bait works best I've just been using bread and tossing it in next to the dock but i'm not getting anything. does anyone know any other baits that work work really well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diemai Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 (edited) @ bluesfish I am not very fond of such minnow traps , simply because they have one big drawback ,........the minnows need to come by and find the bait inside:huh: ! I catch my bait minnows with a seine(preferably) or even 10 , 13 and 17 feet pole rods(depending on location and situation) . Always carry these along , when I intend to to nightfishing with minnow bait , since I never know about the present conditions and where the minnows would be located ! Prefered places to sink the seine are below overhanging bushes or pontoons and platforms ,.... one has to try different places to search for them , that is the big advantage against a trap ! But on some days the seine also won't get them , than I need to use the pole rods , chum with scented oats/breadcrumps(sweet vanilla , curry flavour , etc .) , bait is a single maggot(try these as bait in your trap as well) on a very tiny size 18 or 20 hook , thinner line and leader , a small bobber and some lead shot completes the set-up . Because in entire Europe live bait minnows are illegal nowadays , I always take my minnows home to freeze them , since as the cold season approaches , its getting harder to catch them , anyway ! Local zander(walleye) and eel also take these , whole or chops . Only with pike its a little problematic using motionless dead minnow bait ,..... but if rigged onto a special harness and fished like a plastic lure , the frozen minnows also become a sure-fire weapon for pike ! good luck , diemai:yay: Edited May 29, 2009 by diemai Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KcDano Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 You will have much better luck with a minnow trap if placed in a stream with a population of minnows. The scent of your bait will travel a significant distance down stream from the trap. You can use bread mixed with a small portion blood bait or any other commercial fish bait to lure the minnows to your trap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redg8r Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 (edited) A fundamental improvement in your catch rate would be to put the bait inside the trap rather than spreading it around the trap. I might have misread your process? I used to wad up bread slices, but in a previous thread someone mentioned dry dog food, which sounds like a great idea. Good luck! Edited May 30, 2009 by redg8r Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesfish Posted May 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 the minnow trap i use has a minnow bait trap built into it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted May 30, 2009 Report Share Posted May 30, 2009 I have an article somewhere on some studies conducted on this very topic. Beef liver was the best in catching numbers and species. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROWINGADUBAY Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 I would agree that catching minnows is easier in a stream I have had good results with canned cat food with a couple of holes poked in it. If you do move it to a stream place the trap in the middle and place rocks to funnel the minnows into the trap just make sure to tie it up with a rope for raising water levels If bread is all you have you may want to place it in a old nylon stocking or something so it doesnt wash away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazmail Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 (edited) Pardon my ignorance BUT I'm just wondering, what are what you call "minnows" there, small bass, walleye, bluegill, white bait, (shiners/glassies)?????. Here they would usually be small Mullet (Poddy Mullet) from about 2"- 5", we normally use various Perspex traps and PET juice bottles with bread crumbs ('whole meal' of course), some states allow throw nets, of course they are only in brackish salt water not fresh.pete Edited June 1, 2009 by hazmail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted June 1, 2009 Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 In the UK, the minnow is a small fish 2" to 3" in length, that lives in streams and lakes. Fresh, clean water only. I used to live bait them for trout and perch in the lakes, using a single hook through the bottom lip. Could always guarantee a larger fish than using regular bait, like worm or maggot. I would catch the minnows on a single maggot on a size 20 spade hook, small lead shot, 1 Lb line, tied to a rod tip. Just swing it out and swing it in, every few seconds. Minnow fish facts at Get Hooked On Fishing Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesfish Posted June 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2009 i was originally going to wither place them in a stream or next to a pier in the lake. i would still like to know some more ideas about baits to catching minnows, other ways of catching minnows, and how you catch a minnow with a fishing pole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROWINGADUBAY Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 I would say the best way to catch minnows in wisconsin is to use a siene thats how the guy supplies the minnow shop up here catching minnows on a pole is pretty simple but you have to go after the right minnows I have only caught two types, golden shiners and creek chubs all you have to do is go to most trout streams with a very small barbless hook and a small piece of worm or bread ball when I trout fish I catch them all the time it gets frustrating when your after trout. Remember to check laws about trapping minnows or using live bait in trout streams George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bladesandbaits Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Sabiki Rig's work good especially at night with a light. I have caught as many as 1000 Juvinile Blueback Herring as well as Threadfin Shad in a short time at night with this rig. Cabela's -- Daiichi Bleeding Bait Sabiki Rig - Per 3 Crook & Crook Tackletogo.com Sabiki Rigs - Fluorocarbon Line Bait Catching Jigs Here's a little How To: Tips for Catching Live Bait How to Use a Sabiki Rig to Catch Baitfish | eHow.com Regards, Blades Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wavewalker2006 Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 try little strips of white bacon not the meat the. fat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatman Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 I use an umbrella net and before putting it in the water toss some cornmeal in the water to see if any are there Believe me You'll know, If there put the umbrella net in and then a medium size handful of cornmeal and when they hit the center of the net lift it quick!!!!!!!!!! I usually end up with 3 different size's of minnow's Fatman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB GONE Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 I have been trapping minnows for years in Wisconsin. Streams are best for sure as the old glass traps we use have a hole at one end for the minnows to swim in. The other end has a cap with holes to allow current to flow through and to add bait. We always use smashed up crakers. They are cheap and the minnows will come get them from down stream. A trap can also be set up near a dock in a lake. Just be sure to point the end that the current can flow through towards the deep end of the dock. When boats go by, current will be created and the minnows will swim into the hole attempting to get a piece of cracker.... Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shade_skyhi Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 i would recomend cutting the top of a soda pop plastic bottle forming a funnel place into a jar top of bottle inside jar until it meets the lid area of jar screw lid on or hot glue it in place remember to cut a hole extra large in jar lid sprinkle crackers or prtezels and lay in water where minnows are and get ya some hope i explained this thorughly........al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
