How to Get Natural Fishing Bait

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By eMerrill
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It's easy to keep a supply of natural bait on hand, if you know where to find it. Here are some tips for stocking up on earthworms and grass shrimp.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Scout for an earthworm breeding colony. Understand that earthworms congregate in large numbers in specific locations where they breed. During rainstorms, worms come to the surface to breathe, and can be readily located and collected.
Step 2

Look for large numbers of worms on the surface during a rainstorm. Search open grassy areas of public parks or golf courses, schoolyards, athletic fields and parking lots. Worm breeding colonies are common under large isolated trees.
Step 3

Collect as many earthworms as you can find, in a cooler or a bucket with a lid. Store the worms in plastic containers with perforated tops in topsoil or worm bedding, in the refrigerator or in a cool part of the house.

Step 1

Purchase a minnow net with fine mesh and a handle 4- to 6-feet long. A dark green or black net works best.
Step 2

Venture out to the edge of a lake, pond or a slow-moving stream in the early morning with net and bucket. Fill the bucket about 1/3 full of water.
Step 3

Look for grassy areas along the shoreline. Patches of tall grass growing out of the water are the best spots. Gently place the minnow net in the water, with the open side of the net facing the shore. Quickly pull the net toward the shore through the grass.
Step 4

Grasp the lower part of net, hold over the bucket and dump the contents. You should have a good number of 1/2- to 1-inch long transparent shrimp. Continue netting until you have about 100 shrimp.
Step 5

Slide 2 to 4 shrimp over the end of a #6 or #8 hook and fish with a small bobber or free-line over the side of a dock. Pan fish will attack this bait voraciously.

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