Thread: Crickets

I tend to agree with itallushrt but I've found that the channel cats and some other fish tend to bite dead crickets more than the bream. Most of the bream I've caught tend to like more lively crickets either under a float, bumping the bottom, or free lining. Its true that crickets don't live underwater for long periods of time so I just put another cricket on the hook after a quick cricket check (just like occasional minnow checks for Speck fishing). Checking bait from time to time (once in a while but not too often) whether live or dead (including worms) to make sure its still there and hasn't been eaten off the hook is always a good idea. After all, that's why I carry a good number of live bait anyway because I know I will have to regularly rebait hooks.

I've found it better to hook them through the arse first with the hook point out by the head. Seems that most buegill and redear go for the head first.

One of the best trotline baits when cats are spawning in shallows are crickets.I've caught 100's by using crickets with no weight in shallow water. I mean shallow 2 feet or less. Heck I've even used limb lines in 6 inches of water and caught catfish that way too. Every fish puts crickets on the desert list.....