Catching Live Bait

[foreyes]

I plan to take some time and catch my own leeches and chubs this spring. Anyone know how this is done? Should I focus on inlet rivers or outlets? I would guess inlets. Do I use seine nets? Are there leech traps? Any help would be appreciated
Thanks-- foreyes
"NaNa NaNa NaNa NaNa--FISHING"

[Peanut]

Here's a rustic, non-technological method of catching leeches:

1. Take a coffee can, punch some small holes in the bottom.

2. Take a good size hunk of raw beef liver, put it in the bottom of the can, and set the can underwater (it can be shallow enough to reach from shore, just be sure the liver is submerged).

3. Go home, wait a couple of hours.

4. Go back, and a mess of leeches should be stuck to the liver.

5. Pull up the can, the water will drain out the holes in the bottom, but not the leeches if your holes are sized right.

6. Sit on shore and take the leeches off the liver, and voila.

Oh ya, there are two downsides to this technique: first, it works best at night (in summer, after dark), and second, if you wait 'til morning, the leeches will likely have taken off - usually you gotta get 'em before dawn.

It's not rocket science, but it works.

derrek.

CANADIAN WALLEYE OPEN UP AND SAY "EH"!

[JCarp]

This applies to Ohio streams:

Seine - works well on narrower streams with deep pools. Best if shallow water "traps" the minnows at the end of the pool. Difficult anywhere deep is combined with wide (can you walk a seine faster than a chub can swim?). Hiding places such as roots, snags and big rocks are bad. If your in the right place, you should be able to get all you need in just a few passes.

Traps - Down sides are theft and the ocassional snake (they eat the minnows). Best left out for extended periods (overnite), but the longer you go w/o checking, they more likely you are to have Mr. Snake. If you catch a snake, please treat it gently even if it appears to be drowned, frequently they recover. I toss about 6 acorn size wadded breadballs in for bait, oatmeal/wadded bread in a nylon netting bag suspended in the center works well. I've never tried it, but some use dog food. Face trap upstream/downstream in slow to calm deepest avail. water. In some places, such as deep outside turns with current, bait is optional. Works great in the right place.

An ice jig or tiny hook tipped with a tiny piece of worm works well everywhere for all sizes of chubs, 4-12". If your in the right spot, you should catch them one after the other just like stunted bluegills. Move when they slow. If the size is wrong, move.

I haven't used unbrella nets alot, but I think they are best in calm, dirty water. Bait with wetted bread or oatmeal balls or oatmeal in nylon netting.

If you haven't previously used a seine or traps, I'd recommend trying hook & line method 1st. Have your "storage" system figured out before you go and take only what you can keep alive. Check your regs. Have Fun.

[Tom B]

We have angled for them and used minnow traps, both with great success. We store our minnows in a 100 gal stock tank equipped with 2 aerators, changing the water daily and feeding them flaked shrimp. Very hardy and wild caught minnows seem to work better than store bought.

Tom B

[Dave S]

What size of hook / bait do you use for chubs? Do you use a small store bought minnow trap or make your own?

[foreyes]

Thanks for all the help. I thought there was some magical leech run that would allow me to catch a seasons worth in one day. I plan to seine and set traps overnight.
Thanks-- foreyes
"NaNa NaNa NaNa NaNa--FISHING"

[JCarp]

Hooks/bait - tiny hooks, any small ice fishing jig works well (1/64 oz to 1/128?). They are not fussy, you can get by with about any small panfish size hook, but I'm looking for the least amt of hook damage. Bait - thread just enough worm on to cover hook. Little bread balls would work, but it's pretty easy to flip over a rock or two to catch a few small worms. Larger (10-12") chubs can also be caught on little huskie jerks, spinners, etc.

Traps - I use three factory made jobs picked up at yard sales/flea markets over the years. I think new ones are kinda pricy now & making them would easy (just copy the store bought design for sizing the small part of the funnel). I do not like the ones with plastic funnels. I have never caught 8"+ chubs in std traps, work well for "regular" sized ones.

[Peanut]

10-12" chubs for bait???? Dear me, 'round here they are "keepers and eaters". You must be some fisherman (maybe it's them super-charged batteries)? (lol)

Have a good Christmas.

derrek.

CANADIAN WALLEYE OPEN UP AND SAY "EH"!

[Dave]

Here is the best leech trap to use. Take a potatoe sack and put road kill in it. "Beaver works deadly" In waters known to hold leeches set the weighted bag so it sits on bottom just before dark. In the morning slowly raise the bag and reap your rewards, this works awesome