You Asked About: To Catch Bait

Chas answers:

A cast net is certainly effective, but I could never master throwing the darn things myself and believe me I tried. I have two methods that have very very seldom failed me when going after live bait.

1. Use a Sabiki rig appropriate to the size of bait you are attempting to get. If you are not catching the bait fast enough try chumming the water a little bit or tip the hooks with small pieces of shrimp.

2. This was my favorite in California. By several size 20 gold treble hooks and tie them directly to the line. Chum the water with finely ground shrimp or muscle and jig through the chum slick. The hooks are so small they barely get under the fishes scales and you can catch smelt, shiner perch, herring, queen fish amongst others.

Give this a try. You will not be dis appointed. A word of caution. On more than one occasion I have had large fish slam a bait fish while I was “catching bait.” As usual, a big fish on such light tackle can be quite an experience. Enjoy and good luck catching.