Save Money With Your Own Bait

Tough times have fishermen looking for different ways to save money.   Combined with high gas prices and other costs, the rising price of live bait has put a pinch on many an angler's wallet.  Artificial lures are one alternative to using live bait.  They are durable and you can throw them in the tackle box to use another day.  However, there are just some days when finicky fish won't accept anything but the real thing.  Many anglers now are exploring ways to catch their own bait, saving money in the process.

    Live shrimp is by far the most popular saltwater bait in coastal Georgia and South Carolina.  Depending on the season, live shrimp can sometimes cost upwards of $20 a quart.  A good cast net is a great investment for anyone looking to catch their own shrimp.  Georgia law requires a cast net with a minimum mesh size of 3/8 inch if catching bait shrimp, up to two quarts.  If catching more than two quarts, or if casting for food shrimp, a 5/8 inch mesh net is required.  A large net is not necessary for bait-catching.  A six to seven foot net is a perfect size for catching a couple of quarts of shrimp.  If you are new to cast netting, practice makes perfect.  Learning to use one can be difficult, but it is very rewarding.

    A cast net is also one of the best tools for catching bait fish in both fresh and saltwater.  A 1/2 inch mesh monofilament net is perfect for finger mullet, small pogys, or pilchards in saltwater, and shad, shiners, or herring in freshwater.  A bigger 1 inch mesh may be needed for catching larger mullet or bigger "bunker" pogys.  Offshore baits like cigar minnows and Spanish sardines are easily caught on a Japanese bait rig, called a Sabiki.  This rig is a long string of small hooks with small pieces of fish skin or mylar attached.  One end of the rig is tied to your fishing line, the other end is clipped to a one or two ounce sinker.  Drop the rig down over artificial reefs and live bottom, and you'll quickly catch a number of fresh baits.

    Traps can be used for some types of baitfish.  A cylindrical minnow trap is a popular tool for catching mud minnows (locally known as polywogs) and killifish.  These small baits are popular for inshore fishing and are a good alternative to live shrimp.  Mud minnows are also very hardy baits, and can even be kept in freshwater aquariums for extended periods before use.  The minnow trap is made of two mesh halves which clip together and are attached to a rope or line.  Wet or dry cat food is a good bait for these traps, which should be set in a small tidal creek at low tide to make sure your trap doesn't end up high-and-dry.  Minnow traps shouldn't be left out for long periods of time; a couple of hours is usually plenty to catch several dozen minnows.  Otherwise, small crabs can invade the trap and kill off the minnows. 

    Experienced anglers know that good live bait is often necessary for a good day of fishing.  If you find that live bait from a shop is too expensive, or if you simply don't have the time to drive to a bait shop, catching your own baits can be a simple, but fun, alternative.