The most natural presentation in fishing — a live, kicking bait outperforms artificial lures in countless situations.
Best For
Beginners learning to fish, targeting catfish, walleye, striped bass, trout, and any species where a natural presentation outperforms artificials
Select bait that matches the forage in your water: nightcrawlers for panfish and bass, minnows for walleye and crappie, shiners for pike and big bass, crayfish for smallmouth
Hook nightcrawlers through the thick collar (band) near the head — it stays on the hook better while leaving the tail to wiggle freely
Hook minnows through the lips (both) for casting and bottom rigs, or just behind the dorsal fin for live-lining and float fishing — lip hooking kills the bait faster
Under a bobber: set the float depth so the bait hangs 6-18 inches above the bottom, or at whatever depth fish are holding
Bottom rig: use a Carolina-style setup or sliding egg sinker with a short leader — the bait rests on or just above bottom, perfect for catfish and walleye
Keep bait alive and fresh — use an aerated livewell or bait bucket with fresh water. Dead bait still works but live bait moves and produces more strikes
Give fish time to fully take the bait before setting the hook — especially with larger baits on circle hooks, which set themselves when you reel tight
🎣 Pro Tip
Match bait size to your target species. A 3-inch shiner will catch 2-pound bass all day long, but a 6-inch golden shiner is what produces the 8-pound bass of your life.