Live Bait Fishing
Live Bait Fishing
Fishing with live bait is the most popular way to land a trophy fish in the Treasure Coast, especially saltwater fishing. Some days catching bait is actually far more challenging than catching the actual targeted species. Dedicating precious time during the day to catch bait can be mentally and physically exhausting, but one would say the benefits outweigh the hardships. There are several advantages to catching live bait. One is just that it’s lively! This bait has not been swimming in a pen or in a tank inside a bait store for who knows how long. Very infrequently can one actually buy the bait we prefer to use during a day on the water. However, in south Florida during sailfish season when live bait is for sale, it can cost upwards of ten dollars per bait! Catching bait allows anglers to be independent as well as hold value on any boat they step foot on. Finally, one of the last benefits from bait fishing is that it allows one to create a proper understanding of patterns and seasonality of baitfish. Through figuring out when and where baitfish reside, what they feed on, and how they interact in nature, it can allow an angler to better understand the actual gamefish he or she is targeting.
There are many different species of baitfish in this area. The most common are mullet, pinfish, threadfin herring, and scaled sardines (also known as pilchards). Our main baitfish year-round is mullet. Within the mullet family, there is the silver mullet and the black mullet. Both of these are on average the most consistent prey items for predators nearshore as well as in our Lagoon. In order to catch mullet, it is crucial to throw a cast net. Good vison and quick reflexes are required. Pinfish can be caught in a pinfish trap, baiting the trap with shrimp and soaking it for a couple days will yield a good number of them. Threadfin and pilchards are simply the “snickers bar of the sea”. Everything eats them. You can use them as bait inshore and offshore and have much success. Target these species using a Sabiki rig off the beach as well as throwing a cast net.
A good foundation for a successful day always starts with bait. Success is earned not given. It requires skill, knowledge, and patience. If you’re not already proficient in obtaining your own live bait, it’s time to start. You’ll save money, certainly catch more, and achieve a level of gratification that only comes with enticing quality fish on bait that you invested your own time and energy to catch.
