Which Bait to Use With Which Fish

Bill Kinney Photography

Technique may be the most important part of fishing, but if you try catching small crappie with big crayfish, you might have a problem or two.  For you beginning fishermen, we are going to lay out the basics for you to make it simple.

Live Baits

Worms
Worms are good for about anything, but you will find the best luck when using them on pan fish (such as sunfish, crappie, etc) trout, walleye, bass, and catfish.  Worms are a live bait and are good for those fish that like moving things, they also have a very strong smell which helps to attract the fish.

Crayfish
Crayfish have the same great qualities as worms, but need to be used on larger fish.  You will probably get nibbles on them if trying to use them for small fish, but they won't be able to take the hook.  Crayfish are ideal when fishing for walleye, trout, catfish, and bass.