Fishing with Piotr

If you plan to go fishing at any time be sure to get your fishing license!!! In Ontario fishing licenses come in two varieties, there is the Sport Fishing License and the Conservation Fishing Licence and both are simply tags/stickers that you attach to an Outdoors Card. Whether you plan on fishing just for a day, a week, or the whole year you need to have a license at all times even if you are visiting from another country.

Sport Fishing License: The basic difference between the sport and the conservation license is in the amount of fish you can keep. As I mentioned in previous articles I am more of a catch and release angler, but will keep the occasional fish for a shore lunch. If you plan on eating a lot of the fish you catch then the sport license is for you. The amount of fish you can keep on this license differs based on what region of Ontario you are fishing. Be sure to check the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) website to see what you can keep, how many you can keep, and at what times during the year you can fish for a specific species. The Sport Fishing License is available in three basic ways:

1. You can purchase the Outdoors Cars with a three year Sport Fishing License tag

2. You can purchase the Outdoors Cars with a one year Sport Fishing License tag

3. If you have an Outdoors Card, that is not expired, you can simply get a Sport Fishing License tag for that year

The Outdoors Card is just a general card that is used for both fishing and hunting licenses, hence its generic name. This way the MNR saves on costs for producing the cards. On the back of the card are divided rows where upon purchase of your tag (the license for the year) the salesman/woman will put a sticker in one of these rows, or if you purchase a brand new outdoors card you will be mailed it and will have an imprinted tag on the back. If you purchase a brand new Outdoors Card it is usually valid for three years and all you have to do is get a new tag each year. You can get these renewal stickers at most Canadian Tires, Bass Pro Shops, online at the MNR site, and at many of the smaller bait and tackle shops.

The prices for the three basic Sport Fishing Licences differ and change from year to year so check the MNR site for details. License are not too expensive and are a small price to pay just in case an officer from the MNR checks to see if you have one. If you are caught without a license the fines can be quite large, they can even keep your car or boat until you pay the fine which can go as high as $5000. So be sure to get a license and play it smart.

The Outdoors Card is issued provincially so be sure to get the proper license for where you plan on doing most of your fishing.

Conservation License: As I mentioned the only real difference between the Conservation and the Sport Licenses is in the amount of fish you can keep. Again, check the MNR site for regulations on this. Just like the Sport License, the Conservation license is available in the exact same way but is a little cheaper. The three ways are:

1. You can purchase the Outdoors Cars with a three year Conservation Fishing License tag

2. You can purchase the Outdoors Cars with a one year Conservation Fishing License tag

3. If you have an Outdoors Card, that is not expired, you can simply get a Conservation Fishing License tag for that year

If you are not an avid angler then you can even purchase a license just for one day. The price also varies from year to year but it may be a good idea if you are thinking about getting into fishing or can only get out one day a year.

If you have guests from out of the country and plan on taking them around Ontario to see the beautiful sites here and to show them some of the best fishing in the world, then they too need a licence. These are temporary licences and can be good for up to a week. You can purchase these from anywhere where you can get your license tags or Outdoors Card.

The Outdoors Card does not require any special id and can be easily purchased. All you have to do is give your name, address (so they can send it to you), your height in centimetres, and your eye colour.

BE SURE TO KEEP YOUR LICENSE ON YOU AT ALL TIMES WHILE YOU ARE FISHING!!!!!!!

Even if you are fishing at the end of your dock at your own cottage and have the license inside the cottage then an officer from the MNR can give you fine for not having the license on your person. If you just purchased your license and have not been mailed you official card, then you must make sure that you have the piece of paper proving that you have purchased your card. This must be on you at all times as well.

If you’re heading out for a day of fishing be smart and get your license. The officers may check your license only once in your lifetime, but this will save you a ton of hassles and a ton of money in fines.

Outdoor Card

Trolling is a method used by many anglers to cover a lot of water in hopes of catching one of the larger species of fish such as walleye, musky, or pike. Trolling involves casting your bait and letting the line go out as you slowly putt your boat through the water. By casting your bait out and keeping your bail open you will allow the bait to move out a safe distance away from the wake of your boats motor so as not to spook the fish. Of course, once your bait is about 50-60 metres away you should close your bail just in case a fish bites and to begin your troll. Once your bait is out in the water you can hold your rod or use a rod holder and simply manoeuvre your boat through canals, around structure, or through open waters in hopes of catching a hungry monster. This method is very successful when using larger baits such as large crank baits, large spinner baits, or big spoons. As larger fish species tend to cruise around looking for a quick snack, a well presented bait that is moving through the water with a bit of speed can entice them to bite. By trolling you may not put as many fish in your boat as you would when you are fishing for pan fish but when you do catch a fish using this method it is usually a trophy.

The other method of trolling is to use a trolling motor. Now this method is not “really” considered trolling but it also allows you to cover a lot of water and get into some tight places where fish may be hiding. A trolling motor is an electric motor that attaches either to the bow of your boat or the stern. You will see many professional bass anglers using their trolling motors once they find a place where the fish are biting. By using the trolling motor you can pull up your main engine so that it does not get snagged or damaged on anything and then you can simply manoeuvre your boat in and out of weed pockets or shallow areas, the places where the monsters like to hide. When using a trolling motor you will usually be casting your bait and retrieving it making it a quite different method from the traditional trolling method described previously. The electric trolling motor is also whisper quiet which does not spook the fish and allows you to creep in on them as if you were stalking your prey.

For the traditional trolling methods you can use a trolling plate or even a drift sock on your boat to slow down the speed at which you are travelling. When your main engine is on, even if you are going at a slow speed, your propeller will still create a tunnel of water behind your boat. By using a trolling plate you disperse this “noise” from your propeller and help maintain a calm water zone behind your boat which in turn will not spook the fish. Secondarily the trolling plate allows you to slow your boat down even more so that you can slow the presentation of your bait if the fish are proving to be a bit sluggish. A trolling plate simply attaches in and around your propeller and can be lowered quite easily when you desire to do some trolling or can be easily raised when you wish to get under way. They come in a variety of sizes and materials but it is best to get the largest trolling plate you can afford and one that is made out of metal, not plastic, as the plastic ones have been known to easily break off.

A drift sock can also be used when trolling but it is not as effective as trolling under the power of your main engine. A drift sock is quite simply a large cone shaped device with a hole at the thin end to allow water to pass through. A drift sock is lowered into the water and adds more friction while you are getting pushed around the lake by the wind. This too will allow you to slow down your bait or will allow you to spend more time over certain structure, such as a sunken island or drop off, where the fish will be hanging out.

As mentioned you can troll a large bait behind your boat in order to entice to big boys to bite. Traditionally when trolling you will use a large crank bait that can be either deep diving or shallow diving depending on the depth of the water column that you are fishing and the fish you are targeting or a large spinner bait such as a Musky Killer. You can also use a swim bait or even a spoon when targeting the large fish you can catch when trolling. You would never use a worm and bobber when trolling and jigging is also a bad idea. You can easily get snagged up if you were to troll with any of these methods and it wouldn’t prove to be a very effective way of catching monsters. I will go in greater depth about trolling methods and baits to use in later articles but for now this is just to give you an idea of what trolling is all about and what to use.

Check out some of the maps I have posted and target some of the trolling lines I have outlined. Try your hand at some trolling and don’t forget to get some large baits to target the large varieties of fish you can catch using this method.

Perch

Characteristics: Perch can also go by the name Yellow Perch, and for good reason. They have a dark back, almost black, and their sides are a yellowish greenish colour. Along their body they also have vertical black bands. They are related to walleyes yet they are a quite different fish. In some perch their bottom fins have a very distinctive orange colour. If you see any hint of orange on the fins it is a dead give-away that you have landed a perch. They are usually considered pan fish so they do not grow too big. They can range from 6-12 inches and will usually weigh in at a pound or less, with anything over 2 pounds being considered a real trophy perch.

How to handle: Even though they may be a close cousin of the walleye they do not have sharp jagged teeth like them. Like the largemouth bass or smallmouth bass you can easily place your fingers in its mouth to release your hook. When you do catch one they are usually easily handled by grabbing them in the palm of your hand and gently squeezing them so that they don’t jump out while you are freeing your tackle. Make sure that before you grab them you retract their dorsal fin so as to not jab yourself on it. One big tip is to make sure you have pliers standing by in order to remove your hook. These guys are notorious hook swallowers and if you are fishing with a hook and bobber you can expect them to inhale your bait.

Where to find them: These guys are an abundant species and can be found in almost all bodies of water in Ontario. They prefer to hang out on the edges of weeds, but fairly close to an open clear spot where they can quickly swim out and grab a snack then hide back into the weeds. Since they are usually small fish they tend to hide in places where they can make a quick get away from large predators. They can hang around in anywhere from just 1 or 2 feet of water up to 20-25 feet of water once the ice freezes the lake over.

How to catch them: Perch are a relatively easy fish to catch. They are active all day long and can be caught right from morning into the late evening. They are a perfect fish to go after if all you want to do is have some action all day long or want to introduce a child to fishing. The best and easiest way to catch them in simply with a hook and bobber combo. You can simply cast out your line on the end of a dock or from a shore to locate these little fighters. Look for an open spot amongst weeds and just wait for them to come out and go after your bait. Like other pan fish they provide hours of fun and will almost never stop biting. Like rock bass they are not easily spooked by man-made structures such as docks or in and around docked boats. You can also get lucky and catch them using a small spinner or spoon. Once of the best ways to catch them is to go ice fishing. When the summer is gone I can’t wait until the water freezes over and I can land a few of these guys through the ice. With ice fishing they are best caught using a minnow. Usually during this time they have also fattened up so catching them is a lot of fun. On a good day it is not uncommon to catch upwards of 20 of them in once ice fishing trip. Like walleye these guys also make for excellent eating. Usually you can keep a lot of them for eating but again, make sure you check your local regulations as to what size and amount you can keep.

Perch

Perch 2

Walleye (aka Pickerel)

Characteristics: A walleye is quite a unique fish. It can easily be distinguished amongst all the other fish species that I will discuss in my articles. The walleye is an olive goldish colour but, its colour can become darker or more pale depending on its environment and what it eats. This fish have sharp jagged teeth and many of them so you want to be careful when handling them. They will range in size from 10-33 inches when they are fully grown and can weigh up to as much as 7 pounds. A very distinguishing characteristic of theirs is their opaque eyes, almost cat-like.

How to handle: As I said, these guys have teeth!!! So be very careful when handling them, especially if this is the first time you catch one. They are meat eaters and they are not afraid to use their teeth to protect themselves. When you are attempting to get your hook/bait/lure out of its mouth be sure to use pliers so as not to hurt yourself. You can usually grab them under the belly to hold them so that you can get your equipment out.

Where to find them: Walleye are an elusive fish and are sought out by many anglers. You can usually find them in large bodies of water that are turbid (cloudy looking water with many particles in it). They can be found both in shallow and in deep waters, but unlike largemouth bass they do not really hang out in the weeds. You can find them on rocky or muddy bottom lakes just cruising around in schools waiting to pounce on their prey.

How to catch them: There are a variety of ways to catch walleye but the most proven and effective way is to use a plastic grub with a weighted jig head. Once you locate a good area where walleye could be hiding you can simply cast your jig out into the water and just pull your rod tip up and down in short little bursts to try to lure these guys to bite. Try to make your rod movement sporadic so as to make your bait seem more natural. Walleye have cat-like eyes so they are able to see very well in the dark or in low light areas. Some anglers go out specifically in the middle of the night to target these bad boys. By jigging close to the bottom you can easily fool walleye into thinking that this is a leech or injured fish, a perfect little meal for them. The beauty of walleye is that once you land one you are likely to find others nearby as they tend to school together.  You can also get lucky with walleye by trolling a spoon at a low speed in deeper waters. These guys are like the panther of the underwater world and will stock their prey down. Jigs and trolling are definitely the most effective methods to land these guys but you can also use crank baits, usually deep diving ones, or even spinner-baits. Try fishing them when the water becomes a bit choppy as this breaks up the natural light that penetrates the water and fools walleyes into biting your bait. Walleye are a fish that can be fished both in summer and even in winter, so there is no excuse to try to get out there and catch some, plus they make for the best shore lunch you will ever have, just be sure to check your regulations on the size and amount you can keep.

Walleye

Walleye 2

Rock Bass

Characteristics: Rock Bass are close cousins to largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Like their cousins they are also a brownish green color but they have rows of dark coloured spots. One of their most definitive features is their red eye. They resemble smallmouth bass but are usually quite smaller. They can range in size but are usually anywhere from 6-8inches in size and will usually weigh in under one pound.  

How to handle: Just like the largemouth bass and smallmouth bass they too have no teeth so you can feel quite safe with putting your fingers in its mouth to pull your hook out. Since they are small fish you can usually put your whole hand around them, making sure to push their fins down as your grab them so as to not puncture yourself. Once they are caught they will not put up much a fight and if they are firmly grasped in your hand you need not worry that they will flop around.

Where to find them: Rock bass are some of the most abundant species of fish in North America. They can be found in almost all lakes and slow moving rivers. They prefer to hand out in rock piles, hence their name, and can be found in anywhere from 1’ to 10’ of water. These fish are very abundant and do not seem to be spooked by manmade structures. They can be often found just off shore, in and around docks, bridges, and in weeds. I have even seen them underwater while swimming in some of my local lakes. They are active during early summer to late fall, but will provide the most action in the middle of the summer.

How to catch them: Many anglers consider rocky bass to be a pest. Since they are so abundant and do not make for great eating, when anglers catch them they usually quickly get them off the hook and throw them back into the water. However, if you have never fished before or are looking to take some kids out for a day of fishing, rocky bass are an excellent fish to catch. They are active all day and you do not need to cast out far to catch them. They do not fight too hard so a child can easily reel one in. They eat insects, leeches, worms, and other small fish, but if you wish to simply target rocky bass for fun, a worm and bobber combo are the best option for a full day of catching these little guys.  

Rock Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Characteristics: A smallmouth bass is a close cousin of the largemouth bass. However, unlike the largemouth bass, smallmouth bass are usually a little more brownish greenish in color and they have vertical bands along their sides not a large long black band like the largemouth bass. Again, like the largemouth bass they can range from a pale brownish green to a darker brownish green based on their environment and their food source. One of the best ways to differentiate a smallmouth vs. largemouth is that in a smallmouth the upper jaw will not extend beyond its eye, when its mouth is closed. They can range in size, but a fully grown smallmouth can be anywhere from 10-20 inches long from head to tail and can be 1-6 pounds.

How to handle: Smallmouth bass are a great fighting fish. For their size they are one of the most exciting fish to catch. When they hammer your bait during their feeding season you will know that you have a fighter on your line. As you reel them in they will usually come up to the surface and jump out of the water, making for a very exciting fight. In terms of actually handling them once you get them in the boat or to shore, the can be handled the exact same way as a largemouth bass. They too do not have sharp teeth so you can easily pull your bait/hooks out of their mouth without the need for pliers. Again, be mindful of their fins as they can jab you in the finger. When you do have them in your hand make sure you hold them securely as they will continue their fight even when they are out of the water.

Where to find them: Smallmouth bass may be a close cousin of the largemouth bass, but they live in different waters. They prefer to hang out in deeper waters, streams, and rivers. Usually a rocky or sandy bottom of a lake will yield these little fighters and even sometimes they will seek shelter in amongst the structure of fallen trees. They prefer very clear and clean waters so if you catch one it is usually a good indication that the water you are fishing is very clean. Just like the largemouth bass their season is usually early summer to late fall. Check your local regulations to find out when smallmouth bass season is open in your neck of the woods.

How to catch them: Since they are similar to largemouth bass they will go after similar food sources. However, as they tend to live in deeper water top water lures are not very effective for these guys. The best method to catch them is by using a crank bait, spinner bait, or tubes and jigs that you bounce in and around the bottom of a lake. In recent years many fishermen are using tubes as their go to bait in the Great Lakes region to catch monster smallmouth bass. The reason behind this is due to the invasive species of the goby. Fishermen will usually match a tube that is similar in color and size to a goby and will just jig that off the side of their boat to target the smallmouth bass. This is one instance where the introduction of the goby has seen the native species of the smallmouth boom. Gobies help clean up the water but in doing so they also ingest a lot of pollution and in turn when the smallmouth bass eat them they too ingest this pollution. So it is not necessarily a win win situation for us anglers, but do yourself a favor and definitely get out there and try to land one of these monsters.

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass #2

Largemouth Bass

Characteristics: A largemouth bass will be a green colour with a horizontal black band stretching though the middle of its body. Depending on what they eat, how deep they live, the colour of the water, and the structure around them, their colour and range from a pale light green to a deep forest green. One of the best ways to differentiate a largemouth bass vs. a smallmouth bass is that in a largemouth the upper jaw will extend beyond its eye, when its mouth is closed. They can range in size, but a fully grown largemouth can be anywhere from 10-22 inches long from head to tail and can be 1-5 pounds. Anything larger then that will for sure be a trophy largemouth and will give you bragging rights for years to come. If you plan on keeping a few for a shore lunch make sure you check your local regulations on the size limit you can keep.

How to handle: I find that largemouth bass are usually pretty tame and for the most part will only put up a bit of a fight. They will attack a bait quite hard, but once hooked you can usually get them to shore or to your boat quite easily. When you land it make sure to watch out for its fins, as with any fish these can be sharp. Unlike many of the large predatory fish, largemouth bass do not have sharp teeth so you need not worry about sticking your fingers inside its mouth to unhook it. If you look at my pictures you will see that I am usually holding it by placing my thumb in its lip. This is by far the best way to handle these fish so as to not hurt them or yourself, but be sure to have a firm grip because if it is still lively it may try to break out of your hold.

Where to find them: Largemouth bass love to hang out in warm water usually where there is some cover or structure for them to hide out in. You will find them around tress, lily pads, and at the mouths of streams. Largemouth bass will live in anywhere from 1’ to 10’ of water for the most part. Quiet bays are a favourite hang- out for largemouth bass. The best time to fish them is starting in early summer to the middle of fall. As long as the water is warm these fish will bite all day long but mornings and evenings is when they are most active. Check when bass season opens up in your neck of the woods and get out there on day one, you won’t regret it.

How to catch them: If you fish around lily pads and other structure there is a variety of baits that the largemouth will go for, and I mean a huge variety. Anything from spinner baits, crank baits, top water lures, frogs, worms, minnows, and even mice. They really are the pigs of the fishing world as they will devour almost anything that moves. Since they are active for a short period of time it makes sense for them to eat anything they can and fatten up for the winter ahead, especially with the long winters we have here in Canada.  

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass #2

Reduce, reuse, and recycle have become common place concepts in our everyday lives. The same holds true when fishing. If we don’t look after our environment and take care of our fisheries then we may not see them in the future. I am lucky as I live in Southern Ontario so I have many clean and well stocked lakes. However, we all need to work together to keep our local fishing holes full of fish, no matter what part of the world we live in so that we can enjoy the fun of fishing for years to come.

One of the best things you can do is practice “catch and release”. This has grown to be an ever more popular way of conserving the fisheries for all. We all love the sport and the true fun lies in the fight that the fish gives you. Being able to find it, use the right bait, hook it, and then land it is what fishing is all about. When you do bring that big one in take a picture, measure it, weigh it, and then turn around and put it back into the water. No matter if it is a large fish or a small one, they are all necessary in maintaining the ecosystem. The small fish are necessary so that the big ones can eat and eventually the small ones will grow into the big ones, so it is imperative that we don’t keep every fish we catch. I am not saying that you have to throw back every fish you catch, I am just suggesting that we all have a part to play in conservation and it is a good idea to release the fish so that you or another angler can have the excitement of catching it again.

Personally I keep very few of the fish I catch and the only reason I will keep a fish is to have a nice shore lunch. Everyone likes a good fresh fish but realistically one fish per person is all you need. Taking a few fish is usually okay and will not stress the ecosystem too much. Check your local regulations on what fish you can catch and keep. The regulations will specify what time of year you can keep fish, the size limit, and the amount of fish you can keep.

When releasing a fish try to get it back into the water as quickly as possible. After you bring it ashore or into your boat unhook it and get it back into its environment. As we all know fish have gills so they can’t breathe when they are out of the water, they are slowly suffocating when out of their natural habitat. One way of assuring that the fish you caught goes back to its normal state is to revive it a little. What does that mean? No, don’t give it mouth to mouth resuscitation but place it back into the water gently. As you place it back in the water hold it by its tail and slightly move it back and forth. This allows the fish to get its bearings back and allows it to start breathing again. You will usually use this method only on fish that you have fought for a little while. These fish will be more stressed, tired, and will require extra attention so that they can return home and live to fight another day. For the most part pan fish or fish that you land quickly will be able to be placed into the water and will swim off with no need for this revival method.  If we release the majority of the fish we catch, the longer we will be able to go out and fish.

Another new factor in conservation is the introduction of invasive species. As massive container ships come into our harbours and release ballast water, small fish, bugs, and crustaceans are transported from over sea ports. These invasive species are introduced into a new environment that they have never seen before and for some of them our waters provide ideal living conditions. One of the major invasive species in my area of Southern Ontario is the Zebra Mussel.  These mussels are native to Southern Russian lakes but as container ships from that area have moved around the world, the Zebra Mussel has caught a free ride and become an invasive species in a variety of locations. One of the ways we can help lower the spread of these mussels is to inspect our boats when we remove them from the water. Make sure that no mussels are attached to your hull and if they are simply remove them. This will make sure that you do not introduce Zebra Mussels to any new lakes that you visit.

Another invasive species that has made some noise is the Round Goby.  The Goby family of fish is one of the largest in the world. However, these fish have not necessarily proven to be a huge detriment to the lakes in Southern Ontario. In Lake Ontario for instance many people are actually starting to use baits and tubes that resemble the Round Goby in order to land monster smallmouth bass. These fish which usually grow to be only about 10cm (4in) long make a perfect baitfish for the big predators. However, we should err on the side of caution because we do not know the long term implications of this invasive species. For now they haven’t proven to be as bad as the Zebra Mussel, but in a few years they may choke out our native species. Below is a picture of some of the major invasive species found in my area.

Help make fishing not just a pass time for today but something that we and the future anglers can enjoy for a very long time.

When you get by the water you’ll need to know where the fish like to hide and where they sit and wait for their prey. There is a lot of different structure, weeds, and rocks that you will have to learn to look out for if you want to catch the big one. As you read through and follow up with this site, this will become second nature for you.

For the most part if you are fishing a bobber and just looking to get those pan fish you can find them by docks, amongst weeds, and close to shore. Pan fish are small so they tend to hide in areas that will keep them safe from predatory fish such as in between weeds, behind rocks, or amongst tree stumps. That being said the big fish will also follow those pan fish into the shallows as they too need to eat, and pan fish can make a nice meal for a largemouth bass or a pike. My number one suggestion for fishing pan fish is to bait your hook and just cast it out there. What you will want to do, especially if this is your first time fishing a new body of water, is to locate just how far off shore the fish are hiding.

First cast pretty close, you’d be surprised how close to shore fish can tend to hide. If you think about it this makes perfect sense. Where do a lot of the insects, frogs, leeches, and other creepy crawly things that fish like to eat live, that’s right close to the shore! How close is close you ask? That depends on how quickly the water becomes deep, what we call the drop off point. If you come up to the shore to inspect your fishing locale look into the water, you can usually see right through the shallow water and see where the drop off begins from the shore. This drop off is where the fish cruise and peer into the shallows for a quick snack. It is also an excellent place for fish to run into deeper water or come up closer to shore depending on the time of day, how warm the water is, and where the food is. Fish the drop off and you won’t be disappointed.

Another favourite hiding spot for fish is structure. What we define as structure is a stump or tree in the water or even a pile of rocks. These offer fish a variety of places to hide from predatory fish but they also attract a ton of the bigger predatory fish. A tree in the water is a great place for fish to catch insects that slip off the tree and end up in the water. Trees and stumps are my favourite honey holes for fishing that never seem let me down. As you become a better angler you’ll be able to throw your bait right in and around these types of structures without getting caught in the branches. I find that with some practice and getting tangled a few times you will quickly learn just how to cast right into the sweet-spot of different types of structure. The picture below is an excellent example of the type of tree structure that I am talking about. If you look closely you can see the bottom of the lake so you know its shallow but yet I have fished this tree many times and have always been able to pull out a few nice largemouth bass. Throwing a lure or even a worm on a bobber can prove to be productive in this situation.

Fallen Tree Structure

Flooded Tree Structure

There is a variety of things these days that will catch fish and it all depends on what it is that you’re fishing for. Some people have their favourite lure that seems to catch fish all the time, but truth be told there is no one lure or bait that is best. It all depends on a variety of factors such as what fish you want to catch, the water temp, the clarity of the water, how hungry the fish are, etc etc.

1. Worms

This is the classic bait for pulling in the pan fish all day long and occasionally the big one. If you fish on a worm usually you are a beginner or just out to fish for fun with constant action all day long. Worms can be very productive in all types of water, all times of day, and for a variety of fish. Depending on what lake you’re fishing you can expect to pull in pan fish such as rocky bass, sunfish and perch. However, I’ve also caught largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, and one of my buddies even caught a pike on a worm to our surprise.

Tip: Keep the box of worms in a cool place. When transporting them keep them in a cooler if possible and when out fishing place them in some shade as direct sunlight will tend to dry them out and kill them, and believe me dead worms can really really stink.

2. Minnows

In terms of use, a minnow is often used exactly the same way as a worm is. You just place it on a hook, through its nostril, and cast it out using a bobber. The action of the minnow on the hook entices the fish to bite. Usually a minnow will yield you a larger fish such as a nice largemouth bass, pike, or walleye, but don’t be surprised if you pull in a rocky bass or two on a small minnow.

You can usually get minnows from a bait shop or you can catch your own using a minnow trap. I will guide you through setting up a minnow trap and the variety of ways you can hook a minnow in this article (minnow 101). You will also want to have a minnow bucket to keep the minnows in water. These traps can be purchased everywhere that they sell fishing equipment.

Tip: Minnows are often caught in streams or shallow water from a variety of lakes. As a result of this, the minnows you buy can be from a completely different lake then the one you are fishing. It is suggested by the Ministry of Natural Resources that if you have left over minnows at days end you shouldn’t just dump them in the lake as they could become an invasive species. Hopefully though you won’t have this problem as the fish love to eat minnows and if they’re biting hard then you’ll quickly run through all your minnows.

3. Lures

Now as I mentioned in my previous articles there is a variety of lures you can use whether you’re shore fishing or on a boat. Lures offer you the advantage of not having to store live bait and they will usually yield you larger fish as they are meant to represent smaller baitfish, frogs, insect, and even mice, the things that the big boys like to eat.

There are a variety of lures you can use from crank baits, twitch baits, top water lures, all the soft plastic baits, spinner baits, swim baits, and spoons. I will cover each of these baits and how and where to fish them in articles to follow. In most tournaments the pros can only use artificial means to catch fish, live bait is not allowed, and as you will see if you check out pictures from the internet on tournament fish, lures can be an extremely productive way of landing big fish.

4. Leeches

I have never been a big fan of leeches simply because I found that small pan fish will go for leeches just as aggressively as they will for a worm and they can be more expensive than worms. You can try using leeches as an alternative to worms and see if they work better for you. These are not always available at bait shops so you may have to look around to find them.

Tip: When attaching a leech to your hook, let them grab onto your nail with their sucker, I usually used by thumb nail. This way they won’t start sucking your blood like a vampire and you’ll be able to attach them to your hook no problem.

5. Bread-balls

Bread balls are used mainly for catching vegetarian fish, that’s right not all fish are meat-eaters. They can be very productive when catching carp which can tend to grow quite large and be a great fighting fish. I tend to use bread-balls with the exactly same set up as I do for worms. Simply put a nugget of the bread ball on your hook and you’re good to go.

To make bread balls is very easy. Simply take a potato and nuke it (microwave) for 5 minutes, or until it is soft in the middle when you poke with a knife. Once it cools cut it open and scoop out the middle flesh of the potato. Take that flesh and mix it with a slice or two of bread, Wonder-bread works great for this. Start mashing it together with your hands until you form a sort of doug. If need be you may want to add some water to the mix to get the dough like consistency. You can rip little chunks of the dough, place it on your hook, and you’re good to go.

6. Other bait

If you’re squeamish of worms or minnows you can use a cut up hotdog to catch pan fish. Small chunks on your hook will entice the fish, as hot dogs usually are jam packed with goodness and vitamins that can stink a lot and entice the fish to bite.

Another alternative to the bread-balls for the veggie fish is corn. You can attach kernels onto your hook and wait for the action. This has worked for me in the past but I always found that live bait or lures are the way to go.