The other thread "how do you hook live craws" got me to start thinking about trying this bait, but i dont know how to fish them...

do you drop shot them with a long leader? or just throw them out there weightless?

Thanks

Matt

The key is finding exactly the right place to fish them. You cast out into structure and let the bass find the dad. You don't do anything, it is the crawdad that does the "fishing".

fish_chris has a real good article he wrote on his website about fishing live dads

I have only fished live crayfish in a river for smallmouth and BIG trout. We simply fish them like any other live bait. Usually put a splitshot or two ahead of them about 18 inches, tie on a snap or barrel swivel and a size 4 snelled hook. Typically, we only fish with the live bait after a decent rain storm when the water is somewhat off color.

By the way, MAKE SURE YOU HOLD ON TO THE ROD!!!!!!!

I know you don't have any problem with live bait fishing, but when you say, > You don't do anything, it is the crawdad that does the "fishing".....

I have to disagree. Doing this is what leads to a lot of snagged dads, missed fish, and a few more deep hooked ones.

On the contrary, I never sit my rod down, as I want to feel every move my dad makes. Then, if its a particularly snaggy area, I like to slowly work the crawdad through the rocks, almost like I was stitching a worm. If it gets snagged, I can usually get the crawdad to crawl itself out of it.

I am certainly as "involved in the fishing process", while fishing a dad (or any other live bait, for that matter) as I would be if I were fishing a plastic worm....... And those anglers who are not, will not be as successful as they could be, if they knew how to "work along with" the live bait on there hook :-)

Geez, I miss dad fishing. Too bad they are not usually as effective as "soft plastic" swimbaits :-)

Peace,

Fish

when baiting a crawdad/minnow trap, what is the best bait to use to catch the craws?

I had a minnow trap before, and i cought 1 craw on some bread. But is there somthing else that works better?

Thanks

Matt