Minnow Tips

[makoman]

I have been trying to catch minnows off my dock near Lewisetta. I have no problem catching them in the summer. Standard minnow trap, bread and dog food as bait.

The tide has been so low, I can't put the trap in the marsh grass where I usually put it. I tried in shallow water (about 1'), no luck, moved to deeper water (about 3') still no luck. I have had it in the water since Friday of last week, and not one minnow.

I want to try some perch fishing, but am lacking the minnows.

How do you all catch minnows this early in the Spring?

(I was thinking about going to a freshwater mill pond and putting my minnow trap there for a few days...as a desparation tactic!)

Any help would be appreciated!

-makoman

[satterly]

We are getting them in the Piankatank right now in a minnow trap with 1" x 1" blocks of styrofoam for bait

[LearninHoss]

styofoam !never herd that, try cat food they seem to tear it up in calvert co. md.

[Coan Ranger]

I/m on the Coan about 1 mile up from Lewisetta and I see no minnows in the water this time of year. Looks sterile right now. I catch plenty in the summer in wire cages right next to shore in 1-2 ft. of water using dry cat food.

[makoman]

Coan Ranger, yea, I have no problems catching minnows in the Summer either.

Maybe my creek is too salty (or not salty enough) this time of year, and I need to go upstream some. I think I will try that, it is closer to my house than the closest mill pond!

Thanks for the help, I would try the styrofoam, but I don't think that would help!

-makoman
(counting down until April 21st)

[Ware Fisher]

We are getting them in the Piankatank right now in a minnow trap with 1" x 1" blocks of styrofoam for bait

Do you soak the styrofoam in menhaden oil?

[coast2coast]

I use Styrofoam in my minnow traps, I think they see the white color and think it's something to eat (maybe a fish belly?) - I catch all I need this way. No menhaden oil necessary, no muss , no fuss.

[Ginger]

white foamy styrofoam works like a champ