Live Bait and Fish Bait

Canadian Night crawlers (Lumbricus terrestris)
Canadian nightcrawlers are known as a great bait worm. They are too difficult to breed and raise in captivity so they are usually harvested from fields in Canada.

For best results, add peat moss to your worm storage. If kept for 2 to 3 weeks, transfer to fresh, slightly dampened peat moss or Buss Worm Bedding. If Buss Worm Bedding is used, follow instructions on package. Store in shallow plastic or Styrofoam containers and refrigerate at 40 to 50 degrees.

Dug Worms (also known as Garden, Leaf Worms)
These worms may be kept in the same moss in which they are packed for 2 to 3 weeks. If kept for an extended time, repack into fresh, slightly dampened peat moss. Again we suggest storage in shallow plastic or styrofoam containers. Refrigerate at 40 to 50 degrees.

Premium Red Worms
Can be kept in the same moss in which they are packed for 2 to 3 weeks. For longer storage, re-pack into fresh, dampened peat moss. Refrigerate at 40 to 50 degrees.

Leeches (Nephelopsis obseura)
This bait is hard to beat when it comes to catching fish, Mediums for Panfish and Large and Jumbos for Walleye and Bass and any other large game fish.

For best results, keep in aerated, cold fresh water. If kept under refrigeration, store in a suitable container, changing water and adding ice daily.

Wax Worms (Galleria Mellonella)
These larva also known as Bee Moth Larvae are one of the most popular live baits on the market today for panfish. These hardy bugs can last a couple weeks at room temperature. This bait is used in the Summer or Winter and is very clean, great for the kids in the family as they last more than one fish. Available year round.

Keep cool and dry. Refrigerate or just keep in a cool area at 50 to 60 degrees. No feeding is necessary.

Soft Craws
We do not recommend storage in excess of four to five days if this bait is to be kept in good condition. Store in shallow trays on a layer of damp paper or cloth. Cover with same. Keep moist and refrigerate at 40 to 50 degrees. Dead soft craws can also be sold if frozen quickly, preferably in water.

Spawn (fish egg sacks)
These are used to catch Steelhead and come in pre tied bags. These eggs are legally collected from salmon and hand tied into egg sacks. The best way to keep these is take them out of the shipping box and put in the freezer until you are ready to use. Take out and put in fridge a day before use.

Spikes (Calliphora Vicina)
What was once a bait that was used only in the Winter has found a big following in the spring and late fall. This bait is mainly used for Panfish during the ice season but is also used on bedding Panfish and even on Steelhead. This fly larva is very hardy but must be kept cold at 33° to 40° to keep them from turning into flies.

It is important to keep Spikes dry, dark and COLD for best results.

Squid Can be used as a live bait

The first thing you will notice about live squid is they are translucent, compared to squid that has been dead for some time and packaged as frozen bait, the frozen squid’s flesh turns white and isn’t translucent or see through.

The difference from the perspective of fish is massive. Most fish will ignore the white flesh of a long dead squid. But they will hit any part of a squid that is live or recently chopped into pieces.

Never skin a portion of fresh squid as the skin has a luster or look fish are familiar with and will react to and bite on instinctively.

Mousees (Eristallis Tenax)
This is a very popular Winter Bait that is not that easy to find. This bait gets it name from the long tail that it has. This bait is usually available from November to March. When available in the Spring this bait is one of the best for early panfish.

This bait is easily kept throughout the winter. Refrigerate at 37 to 45 degrees.

Wigglers (Hexagenia Limbata)
This bait is hard to keep alive so many are sold as preserved. This bait works year round and is great for all Panfish and Trout.




	Live Bait, Fish Bait, Walleye Bait
	What are the most common types of live bait used for catching fish? How do I keep my live bait fresh? Canadian Night crawlers (Lumbricus terrestris) Canadian nightcrawlers are known as a great bait worm. They are too difficult to breed and raise in captivity so they are usually harvested from fields in Canada. For best results, add peat moss to your worm storage. If kept for 2 to 3 weeks, transfer to fresh, slightly dampened peat moss or Buss Worm Bedding. If Buss Worm Bedding is used, follow instructions on package. Store in shallow plastic or Styrofoam containers and refrigerate at 40 to 50 degrees. Green Night crawlers These babies are lean, mean and green. Store in original container. Keep very cold - 35 to 37 degrees. Avoid frequent changes in temperature. Dug Worms (also known as Garden, Leaf Worms) These worms may be kept in the same moss in which they are packed for 2 to 3 weeks. If kept for an extended time, repack into fresh, slightly dampened peat moss. Again we suggest storage in shallow plastic or styrofoam containers. Refrigerate at 40 to 50 degrees. Premium Red Worms Can be kept in the same moss in which they are packed for 2 to 3 weeks. For longer storage, re-pack into fresh, dampened peat moss. Refrigerate at 40 to 50 degrees. Leeches (Nephelopsis obseura) This bait is hard to beat when it comes to catching fish, Mediums for Panfish and Large and Jumbos for Walleye and Bass and any other large game fish. For best results, keep in aerated, cold fresh water. If kept under refrigeration, store in a suitable container, changing water and adding ice daily. Wax Worms (Galleria Mellonella) These larva also known as Bee Moth Larvae are one of the most popular live baits on the market today for panfish. These hardy bugs can last a couple weeks at room temperature. This bait is used in the Summer or Winter and is very clean, great for the kids in the family as they last more than one fish. Available year round. Keep cool and dry. Refrigerate or just keep in a cool area at 50 to 60 degrees. No feeding is necessary. Soft Craws We do not recommend storage in excess of four to five days if this bait is to be kept in good condition. Store in shallow trays on a layer of damp paper or cloth. Cover with same. Keep moist and refrigerate at 40 to 50 degrees. Dead soft craws can also be sold if frozen quickly, preferably in water. Spawn (fish egg sacks) These are used to catch Steelhead and come in pre tied bags. These eggs are legally collected from salmon and hand tied into egg sacks. The best way to keep these is take them out of the shipping box and put in the freezer until you are ready to use. Take out and put in fridge a day before use. Spikes (Calliphora Vicina) What was once a bait that was used only in the Winter has found a big following in the spring and late fall. This bait is mainly used for Panfish during the ice season but is also used on bedding Panfish and even on Steelhead. This fly larva is very hardy but must be kept cold at 33° to 40° to keep them from turning into flies. It is important to keep Spikes dry, dark and COLD for best results. Squid Can be used as a live bait The first thing you will notice about live squid is they are translucent, compared to squid that has been dead for some time and packaged as frozen bait, the frozen squid’s flesh turns white and isn’t translucent or see through. The difference from the perspective of fish is massive. Most fish will ignore the white flesh of a long dead squid. But they will hit any part of a squid that is live or recently chopped into pieces. Never skin a portion of fresh squid as the skin has a luster or look fish are familiar with and will react to and bite on instinctively. Mousees (Eristallis Tenax) This is a very popular Winter Bait that is not that easy to find. This bait gets it name from the long tail that it has. This bait is usually available from November to March. When available in the Spring this bait is one of the best for early panfish. This bait is easily kept throughout the winter. Refrigerate at 37 to 45 degrees. Wigglers (Hexagenia Limbata) This bait is hard to keep alive so many are sold as preserved. This bait works year round and is great for all Panfish and Trout.