Freshwater Fishing Questions: What are some good Baits to use? What size test to use? How should I setup the?

Question

Hi,

What are some good baits to use for freshwater fishing? I currently know that worms work good, what else is a good option?

We are going to be fishing for about 5-10 LB fish, how heavy should my line be?

How should I setup the line on my rod? should I put a weight on it to make it sink or should I just let it float?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

if you would have told us the kind of rod and reel you have it would have been a little easier and less vague on our part guessing but here goes:

if you are using spinning gear you should have heavy hipand tip since the wind will vary your effectiveness of casting I would suggest more up and down presentations. I also suggest starting on the top and working down. if there is water movement find it and cast upstream (always) it is end of summer almost fall so go with orange and red brown colors as they will immulate the colors of the aging crawfish the lake supports. fish big baits use the darkest colors in murky stained water and lighter blue/green in clear water.

If you have a baitcaster also use heavy / medium heavy the line I would use would be low vis green with all the algae in bloom and water clarity being affected by it. I would use 12 -15 pound test if you aren't married to your rod and reel yet and as your engagement lengthens you will undoubtedly go lighter (we all did) in stick ups and downed trees I would throw lizards. in reeds and lilly pads frogs and off drop offs and cliffs slow roll spinner baits again following my suggestiions of colors. If you find rock piles at a depth where crank baits can get to I would grind each one of them trying to find a lazy old bad boy  I also think this time of year the deepest area of the lake will hold the biggest fish mid day use 14 inch giant plastics and never set your rod down each cast could hold a record fish on the bottom. Always put a trailer on jigs and spinner baits and in colored water use gold colorado blades and in clear water silver willow leafs. I would use a carolina rig for rocky bottoms and weedles lead heads in grass for all the plastics. Tie directly on to the baits all others and use the rapala knot.

Answer 2

It really depends on the TYPE of fish you are targeting. What type of fish are local to the area you will be fishing?

If you are targeting 5-10lb fish then 10lb line should be plenty enough. If you get line that is too large, not only are the fish going to be able to see it, but it is also going to be harder to feel the bites and nibbles of the smaller size fish. You might could even get away with 6 or 8lb line, but 10lb should start you off pretty well. Since you are a beginner, monofilament will probably be better. I like Spiderwire braided line myself, but it is a lot more expensive.

The bait is all going to depend on the fish. Live bait will work better in almost all situations so worms and minnows are safe bets. But if you want Bass, it would be good to take a few lures with you (Gary Yamomoto Senkos would be a good starting soft plastic lure Texas Rigged). If you want catfish or carp, then chicken livers or stink bait fished on the bottom will be best. The bait you use and the fish you're targeting will determine your setup.

In most situations though this basic setup will get you something. On 10lb mono put a weighted slip bobber with bobber stop set to go down 3ft (if after 15-20 min you haven't even gotten a nibble move the bobber stop up to go down 5ft, then 8ft, and so on until you start getting bites), at the end of your line tie on a 3/0 or 4/0 circle hook and put a minnow on it (hooked right below the dorsal fin, but not through the spine, this will allow it to swim naturally). Throw it close to some reeds or a fallen tree or the shore line and wait. You will get something to bite if there are ANY fish in that area. You do not have to set the hook with a circle hook, that is why I said use this one, it is a really good hook for beginners. The fish hooks himself on it and you just have to reel it in. (BTW, Offshank Wide Worm Hooks are what you would use for the Texas Rig I mentioned above, but with these you DO have to set the hook.)

I included some links below that really helped me when I was first getting started. I am sure you will make use of them.

Let us know what type of fish you want to target and we can try to give you less generalized answers. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 3

My Dad, my uncle, my cousin, and me went on a fishing trip in Shasta, and cought a whole bunch of trout with blue fox luers and no bait. They are the best you sink them for 3-4 seconds and then reel them in and they spin around and catch fish.

This is on there website I think this is what we used.

Classic Vibrax®

45° mid-depth blade runs 2 to 4 feet deep

A standard for every anglers’ arsenal, the patented two-part body emits low-frequency sound vibrations that attract fish and trigger strikes while virtually eliminating line twist. With a large selection of styles and finishes to fit any situation, the Classic Vibrax series are “must have” spinners.

Siwash hooks included for sizes 3-6.

I'm not very knowledgeable about fishing so I don't know how heavy your line should be or how you should setup your rod. But I just couldn't not tell you how well blue fox's work. You should try them. I think you can buy them at any store that sells fishing stuff but anyway here's the website:

http://www.bluefox.com/products/classic_...