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Hello Folks,
I want to use a long handled net (7 feet) to catch minnows, suckers, crayfish,etc. for bait. I would want to catch bait for crappie, walleye, large and smallmouth bass, and pike.
I'm wondering about the mesh size I would need. Most of the time I plan on sticking the net into the water near the bank and scaring fish from the weeds into the net. Seems a 3/16 mess would be good.
Sometimes I might want to swish the net through the water to scoop up what I can. Maybe a 3/16 mesh would be too hard to move through the water.
I only see 1/4 mesh. Seems like crappie minnows would get away.
Anyway, any thoughts on what size mesh I should use for these two uses.
Thanks
Harry
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[#0000FF]1/4" mesh should serve you well for all sizes of minnows and mudbugs. I do not use a long handled net but I do throw a 10' cast net for minnows a lot. I have both 3/8" and 1/4". The larger mesh provides almost all sizes of minnows...except those under about 2". But the 1/4" mesh gets them down to even small mosquito fish.
You might also consider picking up a couple of wire mesh minnow traps. You can leave these to soak in deeper spots while you work your dip net in easier to reach areas.
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Thanks for the information [url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/community/community.cgi?do=user_page;pg=user_profile_view.html;username=TubeDude"]TubeDude[/url].
I'll find a decent 1/4 mesh net then.
I saw on the net a guy who made a 2 x 3 foot seine net, held the net in the creek and pushed weeds into it. He caught baitfish that way.
I have ordered a Gee minnow trap.
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[#0000FF]Lots of different ways to catch minnows...depending on the water, the species and how they congregate. You can also catch a lot of them by fishing a tiny piece of worm or dough on a small hook.
Good luck.
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I would like to catch some suckers for pike and musky, but I would be fishing in a lake. In Illinois we allowed to use bait only in the water where we caught it. It seems to me that catching suckers by hook wouldn't work in a lake. Way too many bluegill. What do you think?
Seems to me the only way I might catch suckers or shiners in a lake is by trap or net.
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[#0000FF]Yeah, if there are a lot of pesky little bluegills they can mess up your attempts to catch the suckers. You just have to find an area that has more suckers than the other guys.
I have fished for suckers a lot in small streams but never in a lake. But I do catch some through the ice while fishing for trout. Doesn't do any good to put a sign on your bait "suckers only". Stupid fish can't read and probably wouldn't obey it anyway.
What are the laws on using bluegills for bait? They are good bait for larger predators in most waters.
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Bluegill can be used as long as they are caught in the same water and by hook and line. So, I could use them for the pike and musky.
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Are you allowed to use the baitfish,alive, in the lake you caught them in?
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Yes, as far as I know the caught fish can be live. I don't recall ever reading that it must be dead in Illinois.
Just checking the regs in Illinois and they have reworded it somewhat. (The bluegill/ sunfish must have been taken by a properly licensed sport fisherman using legal sportfishing devices.)
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As a kid, I used to snorkle/dive for Crayfish/Crawdads/Mud Bugs in clear waters. Since then I have learned another way but during dark hours where they are present.
I use a miniature crab trap baited either with bologna or small pieces of raw chicken or even leftover fish carcases. I add a small glow stick inside the trap which draws them to the light as well as the carnal offerings.
Some of them can be used as bait and others for some good nibblings if you managed to bring some butter/margarine, garlic powder and just a touch of Malabar pepper.
Free diving is the quicker way to get them but I wouldn't attempt that method in waters where Pike and Muskie are present. [shocked]
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Ahhhhh. I see. There is nothing wrong with C&R my friend.
I do practice C&R most of the time with some C&E (catch and eat) on occasion. [cool]
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