I have not fished with minnows since i was a kid. I am thinking about purchasing a minnow trap and putting it under my dock to catch minnows but dont know what to bait the trap with. Also what is the best rig to use with a minnow. any info would be great thanks.

I would think you would have more responses if you posted your query in the General Bass Fishing sectiion of the forum.

I have used white bread to catch minnows in my minnow trap.

I put the minnow on a small hook, like a number 6, hooked through the lips, and put a bobber about 18 inches up the line and cast it into the water.  I have also hooked the minnow through the back but that can kill them.

I use 4 pound test mono and a 6 foot rod set with a light weight spinning reel.

You will catch bream (lots of bream); crappie if they are in the waters; a catfish every now and then; and bass.  The bass were not large. I don't think any go over a pound at best.

Give it a try. It is a lot of fun and you may land that large one.

Be sure to have pliers to remove the hook without hurting the fish as they can inhale the minnow.

Let us know how you do.

Anything will work for catching them, some of the best baits are white bread and dry dogfood, even an empty trap is liable to be just as good.  But the best thing in the world believe it or not is a little glowstick, the light is like a magnet for minnows.  

Always remember that it is generally illegal to use gamefish (bluegill, baby bass) as live bait so be careful because Ranger Rick loves giving out tickets for stuff like that.  Of course it is usually perfectly legal to KILL the gamefish THEN use them as bait (go figure).

I have always used about 2 inchsquare styrofoam blocks for minnow trap bait. they never disolve and can use them for years. Works great.

when i'm on the river I'll go right to where there is a shallow bend going into a deep area or some riffles. right where it seems like the current picks up. you can see the schools of minnow and or small shad flash as they spook or  try to move in the current. I'll throw a casting net over them and catch a dozen at a time sometimes. the deeper the area the heavier it needs to be. or the bigger the school needs to be. at least from my experience.