26 NEBRASKAland • MARCH 2015
Live Bait and Hook Sizes
Despite the vast availability of fishing lures, trout, bluegill,
bass and catfish can all be caught on nightcrawlers or red
worms. Red worms are smaller and more suitable for the
smaller mouths of bluegill, which tend to nibble and steal
bigger pieces of bait.
When using live bait, hook size is an important
consideration. Too big, and fish may not be able to get the
hook into their mouths. Too small, and fish may swallow
the hook too deeply to be removed. For worms, choose
baitholder hooks, which will keep bait firmly in place.
While a book chapter could be written about hooks and
their sizes, let this be a mere introduction. Smaller hooks
are designated by larger numbers. For example, a No. 32
hook is much smaller than a No. 2. However, once a hook is
larger than size No. 1, a "/0" designation
is added. For example, a No.
5/0 hook is larger than
a 1/0.
Choose No. 8
to No. 4 baitholder
hooks for bluegill, No. 6 to No.
4 for crappie and trout, and No. 8 to No. 4 for white bass. To
catch catfish, No. 1 or No. 2 hooks are suitable for smaller,
eating-size catfish out of a pond or lake, but choose bigger,
heavier size hooks like 4/0 or 6/0 for fishing river catfish.
Although crappies will eat worms, they actually prefer live
minnows, which can be bought in bait shops. Use minnows
no larger than 2 inches. However, stay informed
on the latest bait fish regulations found in the
2015 Nebraska Fishing Guide.
Lures and Stink Bait
Fish are unpredictable. One day
they'll go crazy for one lure, and another
day they won't care for it. To get started on lures, jigs
can be used to fish for a variety of species, and
as far as panfish are concerned, crappie
anglers can benefit greatly from the
use of jigs. After one summer and
fall on the water, feather Marabou
jigs and soft plastic twister tail grub
jigs quickly became my go-to lures. White and
chartreuse colors have worked best for me, but the rule of
thumb is to stick with lighter colors on clear days and darker
colors on cloudy days. These color patterns will allow fish to
see your lure against the contrast of the sky.
In addition to the twister tail, soft plastic jigs come in
a variety of shapes and colors that imitate grubs, worms,
crayfish, minnows, leeches and other prey. Other "dressed"
jigs can be adorned with hair, tinsel, plastic fibers, nylon
and mylar. Plain jigs show only a hook with a round lead
See the 2015 Nebraska Fishing Guide. S
Fathead
minnow
Feather
Marabou jig
Twister tail
grub jig
Bait-
holder
hook
Rainbow trout can be caught on worms in Long Pine Creek and at other locations across the state.
PHOTOS
BY
KEN
BOUC
