Learn How To Fish

Baits & Lures

Learn when to use natural bait, when to try artificial lures, and why experimenting is one of the most important parts of shore fishing.

Start With What Fish Already Eat

The more natural the bait, the better. Night crawlers and minnows are two dependable starting points from the original ShoreFishing.net experience.

Whenever possible, consider what natural food is available in the particular body of water you're fishing.

Local Knowledge Helps

If you're fishing a new body of water, ask local fishermen what bait they are using.

Natural Bait

Natural bait can be a simple and effective way to begin shore fishing.

The original ShoreFishing.net guide specifically mentions:

Night crawlers
Minnows
Worms
Corn

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Natural Bait Match what's naturally available in the water.

Artificial Lures

Sometimes fish aren't actively feeding. That's when an artificial lure can trigger a strike through instinct.

The original guide identifies several types of flashy lures:

Spoons
Jigs
Spinnerbaits
Crankbaits

Sound, motion and color can all contribute to getting a fish to strike.

Spoon

Jig

Spinnerbait

Crankbait

Keep Jigs & Soft Plastics Handy

The original ShoreFishing.net tackle box always included various sizes of jigs and soft plastic worms.

They were considered a useful standard when other approaches weren't producing.

Jig

Soft Plastic Worm

Examples From The Original Guide

These are examples from the original ShoreFishing.net experience, not a complete list of what each species will eat.

Panfish

Small hooks with small natural or artificial bait.

Bass

Spinnerbaits and pork rinds were identified as productive choices.

Walleye

Jigs tipped with minnows or plastic worms were highlighted, along with certain crankbaits and spoons.

Northern Pike

The original guide mentions spoons and a jig with a green plastic worm.

Channel Catfish

The original material includes goldeye slabs, tiger prawn shrimp, chicken livers and hearts.

Carp

Worms or corn were listed as possibilities, with minnows also mentioned.

Sturgeon

The original guide mentions a large glob of worms on a single hook.

Cut Bait

Fresh cut bait from a bait fish was also mentioned, with the reminder to make sure it is legal.

Match The Conditions

The original guide offered a simple starting point based on water clarity and light.

Murky or dark water Try darker bait or hooks.

Clear water Try brighter-colored lures.

Clear, sunny conditions Brighter, colorful or shiny bait was suggested.

Dark, overcast conditions Duller, darker colors were suggested.

Water Match The Conditions Use these ideas as a starting point, not a strict rule.

Experiment

This may be the most important lesson in the original bait section.

Different locations can call for different bait at different times. Try different approaches and pay attention to what works.

Don't Be Afraid To Change

If one bait isn't producing, change something. Try another lure, another color, another location or another time.