The best all around bait.

Yes, we've all heard about this bait and that bait, or this technique and that technique.  We are all searching for the bait that will work when nothing else does.  This was shown to me by an old man who lived in a cottage along a private pond, to which I had access. So, without further delay, here 'tis.

First, get yourself one, or more of these.  They are still available.  He showed me his that used a treble hook, so that is what I used.  Funny thing is I haven't used it since getting back into fresh water fishing, but that's about to change. 

What to use for bait?  Pork rind?  Some kind of trailer?  First catch a pickerel.  Then split its belly open.  Use a pair of scissors and cut an elongated tear drop shape from the pickerel's belly  A couple of inches long is fine, and a quarter to three eighths an inch wide at the widest point.  Impale this on the hook.  And you are ready.  It doesn't cast well, so I'd troll it behind the row boat I fished from.  Almost forgot, slide the spring up the shaft so the mount for the hook will open.  Put the hook on, slide the spring to lock the hook onto the eye.  

This bait would catch anything and everything in the pond.  My biggest pickerel, 36", was caught on this rig.  My biggest crappie 16.5" was caught on this rig.

Try it, you'll like it.  The bait monkey might hate you, but the money you'll save on baits will buy you a nice electronic toy.