Natural vs Store Bought

[majflyboy]

I put this question on the main board but want more local input. What is better, natural shad from the lake you are fishing or minnows from the local bait shop?

[DonDon]

Maj, the big drawback on Shad from what they're told me is they don;t last in your bait tank. If it's square, they'll swim to a corner and since they stay in that corner, they won;t get water over their gills and they'll die. I thought about that last year when I got my cast net and was told to not even try it

[majflyboy]

My on-board bait wells and my Frabil are round, think that would matter. If you could keep them alive would they be better?

[tritonman]

NOt only what DD said but I have heard 2 other schools of thought on this. One, is the match the hatch theory, this one is self explanatory. Second, is get close to the hatch theory. This one may require a little bit of explanation. Close to the hatch theory is if you match the hatch your bait does not stand out, therefore a little subtle difference can make your bait stand out and make a difference in the catching. I have seen theory 2 work more often than theory 1.

[majflyboy]

NOt only what DD said but I have heard 2 other schools of thought on this. One, is the match the hatch theory, this one is self explanatory. Second, is get close to the hatch theory. This one may require a little bit of explanation. Close to the hatch theory is if you match the hatch your bait does not stand out, therefore a little subtle difference can make your bait stand out and make a difference in the catching. I have seen theory 2 work more often than theory 1.

That makes sense.

[jimfish]

They are really hard to keep alive, and especially if they are caught in a cast net. Cant beat minnows. In the spring use small to medium,in the fall large.They are eating 4-5 in shad right now.

[DonDon]

Dang, we on a roll today. Just us 3 ain;t it? LOL

[DonDon]

Was us 3. Morning Jim

[EmptyStringer]

OOOOOO. I thought this thread was about something else. I prefer natural:D

[majflyboy]

They are really hard to keep alive, and especially if they are caught in a cast net. Cant beat minnows. In the spring use small to medium,in the fall large.They are eating 4-5 in shad right now.

Thanks Mr. Jim. Not going to buy a cast net now.