I need to fish small bass, 1"- 3", out of a lake to be transplanted to a small pond and don't know what kind of rigging to use.  I need to catch as many as possible as this guy really wants his stunted bass lake fixed.  And the pond guy wants fish to catch in his pond.  Odd question, I realize, since we're always trying to catch the bigger fish.  What lures, set ups, etc. would you use to catch the babies?  

Get a baitfish net if you can find them together.

Live bait or the smallest in-line spinners you can find.  Small crickets or worms.  Good luck keeping the panfish away.

Make sure to check up on the legality of transporting fish from one body of water to another in your area.

Be easy on the little guys.

If you're aim is to stock a pond, why use 1-3" bass?  why not bigger?  I think you're best bet is a big net.  you absolutely can't be serious about actually trying to catch them on a pole with a lure, right?  Is this guy paying you for this?

If you're aim is to stock a pond, why use 1-3" bass? why not bigger? I think you're best bet is a big net. you absolutely can't be serious about actually trying to catch them on a pole with a lure, right? Is this guy paying you for this?

Hey, it's possible.  I catch them all the time that size with an ultralight rod and a #8 hook.  Not sure about numbers, but it's possible.

If you are taking them from public water and putting them in a private pond , THAT MAY BE ILLEGAL :-/

This is from private lake to private pond.  I have permission from both owners.  

I'd love to seine them, but I was not given that option from the lake owner.  He said simply fishing them out rod and reel.  I will take nets in case I do see some in the shallows.  

Not being paid, this is a "favor" (I think it'll be fun) for local pond/lake owners.  If it works, it's win-win.  If not, hey, I spent some time on the water.  

Basically, the lake owner contacted me because he knew I was a pond manager and said he had a 40 acre lake that had stunted bass in it.  He wondered if I'd be interested in fishing them out for my pond.  I can't use them, but I know someone who does.  

I have accidentally caught them on Rat-L-traps before. Anything that would attract this size bass will also attract all the other small fish in the lake. It is a very hard task to say the least!

We've caught them on what I said above when we're trying to catch flat-head bait.  Bobber fishing.

You may be able to get some in a baited minnow trap. You will get many varities of small baitfish, but if there is alot of small bass they will enter as well. Make sure this is legal in your area first.

For conventional fishing the smallest roostertail spinner in bright yellow may work. The problem is hooking small fish will stress them and they may not survive the whole transport and re-introduction.

However you try it good luck and let us know the results.

Use a sabiki rig. Its a saltwater rig that has between 8 and 10 hooks with little pieces of tinsel flash stuff. You cast it out and reel it in, its an awesome way to get baitfish in saltwater so I don't see why it won't work here.

Let me see.

40 acre lake

1 fisherman trying to catch all the small(1"-3") fish out of it

1 spawn drawfs what you can take out in yrs.

I think we've been had. Someones got to be LTAO

Try with mepps spinners, in 00 size, aglia and black furys in 1 or 2 lb. test line with a spinning mini reel.

You may be able to get some in a baited minnow trap. You will get many varities of small baitfish, but if there is alot of small bass they will enter as well. Make sure this is legal in your area first.

For conventional fishing the smallest roostertail spinner in bright yellow may work. The problem is hooking small fish will stress them and they may not survive the whole transport and re-introduction.

However you try it good luck and let us know the results.

I'd love to go the route of trapping.  I'm going to take a preliminary look at the lake and see if this is doable.  

Use a sabiki rig. Its a saltwater rig that has between 8 and 10 hooks with little pieces of tinsel flash stuff. You cast it out and reel it in, its an awesome way to get baitfish in saltwater so I don't see why it won't work here.

That sounds like it'd really hurt some fish.

Let me see.

40 acre lake

1 fisherman trying to catch all the small(1"-3") fish out of it

1 spawn drawfs what you can take out in yrs.

I think we've been had. Someones got to be LTAO

I'm sure I'm not the only one he's approached.  

If I help him out at all, great, if not, I don't know him well, so I'm geared more towards helping out my friend with the pond.  Even if we're only able to trap or land 50-100 over time, it would benefit my friend's pond.  Anyway, I find it hard to believe someone would go out of their way to amuse themselves with fishing their lake for small bass.  Why would anyone invite someone to their private lake simply as a joke?  Does this make sense to you?  Anyway, in the community where I was approached, these characters don't exist.  Maybe they do here, and that sucks, but they don't there so I'm pretty sure he means well.  But thanks for looking out for me.   ;D

You may be able to get some in a baited minnow trap. You will get many varities of small baitfish, but if there is alot of small bass they will enter as well. Make sure this is legal in your area first.

For conventional fishing the smallest roostertail spinner in bright yellow may work. The problem is hooking small fish will stress them and they may not survive the whole transport and re-introduction.

However you try it good luck and let us know the results.

I'd love to go the route of trapping. I'm going to take a preliminary look at the lake and see if this is doable.

Use a sabiki rig. Its a saltwater rig that has between 8 and 10 hooks with little pieces of tinsel flash stuff. You cast it out and reel it in, its an awesome way to get baitfish in saltwater so I don't see why it won't work here.

That sounds like it'd really hurt some fish. SEA KITTENS YOU MEAN

Let me see.

40 acre lake

1 fisherman trying to catch all the small(1"-3") fish out of it

1 spawn drawfs what you can take out in yrs.

I think we've been had. Someones got to be LTAO

I'm sure I'm not the only one he's approached.

If I help him out at all, great, if not, I don't know him well, so I'm geared more towards helping out my friend with the pond. Even if we're only able to trap or land 50-100 over time, it would benefit my friend's pond. Anyway, I find it hard to believe someone would go out of their way to amuse themselves with fishing their lake for small bass. Why would anyone invite someone to their private lake simply as a joke? Does this make sense to you? Anyway, in the community where I was approached, these characters don't exist. Maybe they do here, and that sucks, but they don't there so I'm pretty sure he means well. But thanks for looking out for me. ;D

Let me see.

40 acre lake

1 fisherman trying to catch all the small(1"-3") fish out of it

1 spawn drawfs what you can take out in yrs.

I think we've been had. Someones got to be LTAO

That's why i stopped answering, pond manager was what clued me in, then stocking with rod caught 1 inch bass. I am surprised none of our pro pond mangers here didn't say anything .

Let me see.

40 acre lake

1 fisherman trying to catch all the small(1"-3") fish out of it

1 spawn drawfs what you can take out in yrs.

I think we've been had. Someones got to be LTAO

That's why i stopped answering, pond manager was what clued me in, then stocking with rod caught 1 inch bass. I am surprised none of our pro pond mangers here didn't say anything .

Very new pond manager who is new to this game of transplanting fish.  Like I've said, I've talked to the lake owner numerous times now and he insists that a seine or trap are unnecessary, that he has a specific spot where these little bass will hit anything.  I'll take him at his word, being the lake owner and providing 2 boats to us to fish from.  

just ask Burley... ;D

just ask Burley... ;D

That's just not right, funny but not right

just ask Burley... ;D

That's just not right, funny but not right

Wow.  Really?  Stay classy gentlemen.  

What's your problem? Burley is a friend, long time contributer and legendary for catching dinks. Lighten up, there is a lot of fun to be had around here :-?

Muddy, isn't it time for your medication now........................................

IT FELL UNDER THE COUCH

What's your problem? Burley is a friend, long time contributer and legendary for catching dinks. Lighten up, there is a lot of fun to be had around here :-?

I hope so.  I've seen it around, just surprised me at the recent responses.  I was hoping to get some quality answers to this question.  I've never attempted to fish baby bass before.  Should I look elsewhere, or is this the forum to ask this question?

As far as catching 1 to 3 inch bass, with a rod and reel, I really doubt this is the place to ask, just look at all the posts here.

In most sates it is illegal to take fish from one water & plant into another. I am pretty sure there is some type of law around your area that either has some sort of guideline, or plainly states its illegal to do so. I would check up on your states fishing regulations & laws before you proceed any further.