New to bait fishing

[medicineman]

Just joined. Been fishing for several years on the lake, but always just threw flukes to points and topwater in the spring. I am ready to try to expand my options and my season by learning about jigging and bait fishing. I read the Jigging 101 in the "How To" section- it was really informative !  I will be reading and asking advice on everything from which electronics to purchase, to which lures to use, and how to find bait.

Thanks in advance for all the advice and help !

[CorneliaGale]

Welcome, there is a wealth of information on this website, take some time and go back through the old posts and articles. Might want to hire one of the guides to take you out and learn from them. Join in here and ask questions.

[FishON]

Dec 24, 2014 12:26:21 GMT -5 medicineman said:

Just joined. Been fishing for several years on the lake, but always just threw flukes to points and topwater in the spring. I am ready to try to expand my options and my season by learning about jigging and bait fishing. I read the Jigging 101 in the "How To" section- it was really informative !  I will be reading and asking advice on everything from which electronics to purchase, to which lures to use, and how to find bait.

Thanks in advance for all the advice and help !

The most important things will need is: Casting net, Bait tank ,Trolling motor and Electronics..

I have a 19' foot boat and here are a few items I use:
~ Cast net- When it comes to a cast net an 8' 3/8 mesh old salt is good for throwing at lights. Plus, it would be a good net to learn to throw with as it isn't to heavy. If your going to go after bait during the day sometimes bigger is better when is comes to cast nets.
(I have two nets: A 8' 3/8 mesh old salt for throwing at lights and a 8' 1/2" cracker that I use when bait is tough or during daylight hours.
~ Bait tanks- This is a easy one, get a Super bait tank II. (Bigger is better) I have a 30 gallon SBT II that works great!
~ Trolling motor- I have a 24v minn kota trolling motor with i-pilot.. The anchor feature is like having a first mate on board. It rocks!
~ Electronics- I have two HDS 7"...(I use one of sonar and one for side scan.. I HDS 7" works fine for sonar but it is a little small to use as side scan.. When it comes to Electronics it is all about your budget.
~Rod holders- I really like my cabelas quick draw rod holders but, the drift masters are nice as well..
Rods- I like the 7' ugly stick fishing rod.. They are super cheap so you can buy a bunch of them.. I use the white M/L Striper rods and the black medium ones. (Maybe some one can help me out with what the model number is on the Black medium Ugly sticks?)
Reels- I use line counters.. They work great when the fish are deep..

Just my two cents on a few live bait must have items..
Good luck, and if you have any questions feel free to ask.

[medicineman]

Thank you for all the advice. I have an 8 ft cast net that I can throw "okay". I am getting ready to purchase some electronics. I was planning on getting the Lowrance HDS-7. My budget will only allow me to buy one of those- and I really like the sidescan function. I hear what you are saying about the small screen, but I think I will just have to manage the best I can.

A friend has lent me a 26 gallon Grayline bank tank. I am going to try it out and see how much he wants for it. Those Super Bait Tank II's look really good- once I get my electronics in place and have some success I may upgrade my tank.

Just installed some Baitmaster Duo rod holders.

I think I can find the fish- my concern is finding the bait- especially at this time of year. Do most guys catch them under lights ?  And if so, how long can you keep them alive ?  I MIGHT be able to convince a friend to let me put a shad  cage at his dock so that I can catch some and leave them there for a while.

Thanks again !

[FishON]

If you can get on the water at night then bait should be pretty easy for you to get... Right now you could probably go in the back of most of the major creeks and catch juvenile gizzard shad during daylight hours.. (Im not 100% sure as I having been out on the water since August.)

For the most part:
~ You can catch juvenile gizzard shad in the back of most creeks during the spring in fall just by using your eyes and watching the water, for flipping..

~ You can basically catch alewives year around under deep water lights.. But, it will get harder during the hot summer months..

Catching bait isn't really that hard unless you are very particular about what bait you have in your bait tank.. For the most part I just fish with whatever bait is under my dock light or whatever bait is in the back of the creeks.

As a general rule: Alewives work better, when the fish are deep and Juvenile gizzards' and big bait work best during the spring and fall..

- The grayline tank should do well. But, just be careful you don't have to much water current in your tank... My first tank was a grayline and it would kill all my bait within 12 hours.. It took me awhile to finally figure out that there was way to much water current in my tank.. After I fixed that the tank did pretty well.

[medicineman]

Thanks for all that advice !  I may get out next weekend- we'll see how it goes ..