For many anglers live bait is the bait of choice for fishing. In most cases live bait is the best bait option for a variety of fish species such as: trout, small and largemouth bass, crappie, walleye, and even catfish to name a few. In this article I'm going to provide you with some time tested tips to help you catch more fish when live bait fishing.
It's also worth noting that the Berkley Company has made some incredible breakthroughs in synthetic baits. These baits are called Berkley "Gulp" and these baits perform as well, or better than live bait in many situations. "Gulp" baits come in every type of bait imaginable from minnows to earthworms and they are all quite effective. The "Gulp" products are so effective that I consider them another form of live bait. In any case the "Gulp" products are rigged in the exact same ways as any live bait, and the tips in this article are effective with either type of "bait".
Shall we get down to business and reveal the tips for live bait fishing?
Always Clean Your Hands - When fish are considering eating something, they smell it first. If the fish detect any unnatural odors such as nicotine, gasoline, or humans they will tend not to bite. This is especially true with larger and more experienced fish. For this reason you always want to clean your hands and make sure that your hands are free from unnatural scents. The easiest way to accomplish this task is to grab a handful of grass or dirt and rub it into your hands before baiting up. This will effectively "wash" your hands of any unnatural scents.
Use Sharp Hooks - This is accomplished by either changing hooks frequently or sharpening your hooks often. Hooks become dull fairly easily, and the sharper your hooks are the more hook ups you will see. Either sharpen or change your hooks when live bait fishing after you catch a couple of fish, get snagged, or just fish for an hour or so. The sharper your hooks are the less "misses" you'll have to deal with.
Use Gang Hooks - When live bait fishing, gang hooks are always a great idea. This is especially true in the case of worms (either live or synthetic). Gang hooks are simply a pair of small hooks tied in tandem that enable bait to be presented in a completely natural and realistic manner. Gang hooks are a "must have item when live bait fishing. Gang hooks are effective for many different types of bait from worms to minnows to crayfish. Gang hooks and bait fishing go together like a hand and a glove.
Begin using one or all of these tips when live bait fishing and you will almost immediately begin catching more fish. Samuel Johnson once said, "A fishing rod is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool at the other". The tips in this article will help you avoid the "fool" part of this very funny quote.
Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 20 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.....Montana!
Gang Hooks Tied & Ready To Fish: http://www.jrwfishing.com/gang_hooks.asp
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