Have you ever fished with live bait? If not, I will be telling you about some of the best bait to use for fishing! Hello everyone, I’m Gunner Tollett, and in today’s article, we will be going over the best species/insects to use as fishing bait!

Worms & Insects land first on the list. They are the most commonly used, as Bass and Bluegill and other various baitfish will eat them, depending on the worm. You can find them at your local fishing/grocery store that has a fishing aisle! I recommend using various types of worms. Canadian Nightcrawlers are one of the most commonly used worms, as their size is perfect for baitfish and freshwater game fish.

Next up is Minnows/Bluegill. Bluegills are usually used when fishing for larger species. You can find them in creeks, ponds, and the banks of lakes. Minnows are small and can also be bought in bulk at select marinas. Bluegill are usually not kept at marinas and will need to be caught with either a fishing net or fishing lures. Bass and Catfish will eat both of these bait fish. 

Finally is crawdads/crawfish. These are usually not as common to use, as they can either be tough to find, or pinch you when grabbed. They can be found in creeks, smaller ponds, streams, and even shallow parts of lakes. Mainly larger species such as bass will eat these; sometimes catfish will, but not as much. 

What’s your favorite live bait? Personally, I like to use minnows as they are easy to put on a hook, and very tiny, meaning you can fit dozens into a container/cooler. It is highly recommended to use an aerator or bubbler, as it puts oxygen into the water, which will help the fish stay healthy and alive! Tune in next time for more fishing tips!