| It is very important to understand a few simple | | | | Number - 3 |
| pointers when you go to purchase your crappie | | | | If any of the fish pulled out to inspect are |
| minnow bait fish at your local bait shop or at any | | | | discolored or darker then the others do not buy |
| bait shop. Many times we do not have time to | | | | these fish are probably sick also and have |
| catch our own bait fish for our fishing trips so we | | | | probably infected the other fish in the tank. Don't |
| go to our local bait shop to purchase some. In | | | | get the the dis colored fish confused with |
| most case this works out just fine. Unfortunately | | | | breeding males. Breeding males will be darker then |
| there are so many bait fish that make great live | | | | the other fish but will have tubercles on the top |
| fishing bait presentations that you cannot | | | | of their head. These fish are healthy but really not |
| purchase in at at bait dealer, but for the basic bait | | | | a preferred bait either over the lighter females. |
| fish types or worms bait shops work fine. | | | | Number - 4 |
| One thing you may not know, bait shops do not | | | | As mentioned in tip number 3 breeding males do |
| adhere to any set standards on naming the bait | | | | not work as well as live bait as do the lighter |
| fish they sell many times they list their baits as | | | | females so if you could have the bait dealer |
| they are called by the local fisherman in the area. | | | | separate the dark males from the lighter females |
| For example they may be selling rosy red | | | | and purchase only the lighter females you will |
| minnows but they advertise them as tuffies | | | | have better fishing luck. |
| which in truth they are not. Rosy red minnows | | | | You also need to keep your bait fish lively while |
| are actually a type of commercially raised fathead | | | | you are transporting them and also while you are |
| minnow used for crappie fishing that is sold | | | | fishing here's a few tips to keep them lively: |
| throughout the United States and Canada to bait | | | | Number - 1 |
| dealers. My point here is you need to be able to | | | | We suggest you purchase at minimum a battery |
| identify what type of bait fish you are wishing to | | | | powered aerator they work on the same principle |
| purchase. It does make a difference depending on | | | | as aerators that you see on in door tropical fish |
| what type of gamefish you are targeting. | | | | tanks. You can purchase them at any department |
| You also need to inspect the baits the bait shops | | | | store that sells fishing supplies or you can |
| have in their bait tanks to make sure they are | | | | purchase them on line at bass pro shop or |
| healthy. Here's a few tips to help with your | | | | cabala's. As soon as you transfer the bait fish you |
| inspection: | | | | have purchased install the aerator and turn it on. |
| Number - 1 | | | | you will be surprised how many fish you can loose |
| Look in the dealers bait tank to see if the bait fish | | | | if you don't do this little simple step. |
| are swimming in tight formation at the bottom of | | | | Number - 2 |
| the tank. This is a clear sign of healthy bait fish. | | | | Normally bait shops keep their water temperature |
| Number - 2 | | | | in their tanks much cooler then the outside |
| Have the dealer pull a few bait fish up with a bait | | | | temperature. To make sure the water |
| net so you can inspect them. If any of these fish | | | | temperature in your bait bucket does not go up |
| have a red noses or missing scales, or have white | | | | rapidly, drop a few ice cubes in every few |
| fungus on their bodies, DO NOT BUY these fish | | | | minutes. This will keep the water cool for the |
| are sick and they probably have infected or | | | | duration of your fishing trip and save you some |
| weakened the rest of the bait fish in the tank. | | | | money. |
| These fish will be dead before you can ever use | | | | Well folks that concludes our article about a bait |
| them on the water. Go to another bait shop if | | | | fish. We sincerely hope you use our fishing |
| you can. | | | | information on your next fishing trip Good Luck! |