Florida Fishing Baits

Nothing beats live bait. Never. It can be a pain to work with and a little knowledge is needed to find and use the right bait, at the right place for the right fish. That's where Florida Fishing Information comes in.

Here are some of the Fishing baits used in South Florida:

Ladyfish

Ladyfish range up to about two feet in length but the smaller ones are used for Tarpon, Cobia, Sharks, and larger Snook. They can be be cut in half or used whole dead or alive. They aren't very good for eating, too bony I hear. These are migratory schooling fish. Frequently found in bays, around jetties and piers and near the beaches.

Crabs

Several different types are used, fiddler crabs and blue crabs are the most popular. Permit, Cobia, Tarpon, Snook and others will hit a crab. Of course that depends on the size of the crab. They are used for bait in sizes ranging from a dime to as big as your hand. Remove the claws and place the hook in one of the back corners of the shell, so that it goes completely through the crab.

Greenback

This small schooling fish is called many things around here, which can be very confusing. Pilchard, Greenback, Whitebait, Shiner are some of the names I've heard. The picture is named Threadfin and my fish encyclopedias call it a Red Eared Sardine and a False Pilchard. Confused? Most people call them Greenbacks or Whitebait. Anyway, they make great bait, are easily found and caught with a cast net most of the year. Snook, Redfish, Snappers, Jacks, Cobia, Barracuda, Spanish Mackerel, Grouper and many other fish like to eat these guys no matter what you call them.

Shrimp

Just about anything in the Gulf will eat a Shrimp. They are the staple bait so to speak. All bait stores carry at least live shrimp. Some people cut or bite the head off (yes, I said bite - it is shrimp after all, you know food, just like at the grocery) and thread a longer shanked hook through the body. When retrieved quickly and in a jerky fashion it looks alot like a wild shrimp trying to run away from something. Others just put the smallest hook possible through his shell between his brain and his heart. This allows him to swim freely and stay alive for a longer time.

Baits - Page 2

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