Heres the problem.
I have a standard round basket miniow trap. I put alll kinds of food in it. From bread to hot dogs to crackers. Every day about 50-60 minows swimm around my basket. None go in. Its like they dont no how to go in the basket. So all my food just breaks aparr and the fish wait for it to come to the top for them to eat it. How do i get them to go in the trap. And what bait should i use to get them in the trap?
Btw, i have been leaving it in the water for 3 days now.
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One thing that could be happening is, the minnows are smaller than the mesh on the trap. Another thing is, they might be smarter than they look. If you're baiting the trap with something that floats to the top, then they don't have to go into the trap to eat. They can just hover around it and wait for it to float to the top.
First, I would make sure the bait you're trying to catch isn't too small.
Second, don't toss is in the deepest part of the water. Put it somewhere where the top is just barely exposed, so if the bait does float to the top, they still have to enter the trap in order to reach the bulk of the food.
Last, canned dog food works great. That's a pro tip. Don't open the can and dump it in. Take a stout knife and pierce the can in multiple areas. Stick can and all in the trap. It should sink and stay at the bottom, but release just enough of the good stuff to motivate the fish to come in and have a go at it. Cat food works fine too. Nothing fancy, just a small can of processed dog or catfood should do the trick.
Let us know how it works. Oh, and don't let your trap soak for so long, Check it every few hours, or daily. Eventually, then will figure out how to get out. And don't be affraid to toss the trap in submerged grass or snags right along the bank. Both are great spots, especially in submerged grass. [cool]
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There not to small or to big. Ive caught 2. Ill try cat food.
And i cant put them half in the water half out. Due to the sea wall. Unless i tied it to the wall. Which would be difficult
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I just tryied this meathod,its for keeping bait in the center of trap,I've tied a string with a weight attached to a "sack" ,I tied it so it hangs suspended around the center.I use net material or something similar.I also use a like quarter pound weight to keep trap right side up. If you hang it,make sure you tie it from both ends,that way it hangs on its side making it easier for minnows to swim in.If the trap stays right side up,you can tie a string my meathod,or add some wire,bend it towards the middle and hang a bag with your choice of bait..I lost my trap,I found the smallest hooks ever,catch my bait with them, I've even caught minnows with them .Only my 4lb fire line fits through the eye.
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I use the cat and dog food cans as well. I put mine in a tidal stream and check after 12 hours.
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move the trap. or pull it up for a few days...
minnows are not the smartest fish in the lake, but even they learn from repitition... once they become used to it and see other minnows taken, they will swim around it and not venture in.
move the trap at least 25 yards in any direction, try not to leave it out any more than one harvest, over night ect.. dont make them wise to what you are doing.
just as a bass will eventualy get tired of looking at the same old lure time after time, so dose the minnow.
Minnow Power!!!
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When I can barely submerge, I'll just throw the bait in without worrying about floating to the top (Ritz crackers. Don't underestimate them.).
When it needs to be fully submerged, I grab a ziplock sandwich baggie and poke a bunch of holes in it. Then, I'll throw a small rock in the bag with the bait to keep it on the bottom of the trap.
If I need to hang the trap, I'll bring a big rock with me to anchor the rope.
If you're tossing into a visible school of minnows, you won't need to soak long at all. I've caught 10lbs of minnows (redside shiners) on a total of 12ea Ritz crackers over the course of about an hour. Even checking after 10 minutes can yield a good trap load if they're nearby.
The canned dog food is a great method too. I just prefer the crackers since I usually have those handy. (no dog)
Sometimes it helps to squirt some bait mate attractant on a slice of bread or an old hot dog bun, even.
All you need to do is find them and get them interested. They'll be interested if they've never seen your trap before and you put it right in their view and walk away for awhile.
As a rule, I'll usually check after 10 minutes to see how productive it is. Where I go, I can usually see the trap and if it's got something swimming in it without pulling it up.
Good luck. Minnows rule.
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good post and great vid!..
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