Bait

[CigarGuy]

Went in to Lucky 7 to get some crappie minnows today. All they had were crappie minnows and fatheads. She said to call in advance for the opener, couldn't say for sure if they'd have rainbows, shiners, etc for opener!

[monstermoose78]

The price will blow your mind if they get some 

[Jetsky]

Thanks for the heads up. Cigar.

[jim curlee]

Minnows are 50 cents each, and leeches are $50 a pound.

[CigarGuy]

16 hours ago, monstermoose78 said:

The price will blow your mind if they get some 

I should probably learn to use the 6+ containers of lures I have collecting dust in my tackle box. We got on a decent crappie bite the last couple of evenings and I broke out some plastics.  I caught some crappies on them ,just need to build my confidence in using them! I did notice they didn't seem to hold on to them as long as minnows!

Edited May 3 by CigarGuy

[SkunkedAgain]

Excuse my ignorance, but was is driving the bait prices? Usually the shortage is due to a late ice-out from the swamps and streams. This year should have been much better.

[fishingstar]

I have heard it's because of the drought. I know in my area ( meeker co.) the sloughs that they trap minnows in have dried up. 

[jim curlee]

Correction, rainbow minnows are at least 75 cents each, and leeches are $60 per pound. lol 

[leech~~]

29 minutes ago, jim curlee said:

Correction, rainbow minnows are at least 75 cents each, and leeches are $60 per pound. lol 

Think the Free crawlers in the back yard are going to take a hit this summer!

[gim]

On 5/3/2024 at 8:15 PM, fishingstar said:

I have heard it's because of the drought. I know in my area ( meeker co.) the sloughs that they trap minnows in have dried up. 

 

That's part of it.  Several recent years of drought have definitely played a role.

 

There's other factors too.  MN does not allow importation of live bait from other states either.  That really affects the amount of golden shiners available, most of which are not trapped here.  In other words, demand exceeds supply.

 

Lots of bait trappers and dealers have simply hung it up in recent years.  Its hard work for not much money.  The two nearest me are both done as of last October.  They both told me its just not worth it anymore.  One of them had been there for 45 years.

 

My advice would be to learn how to effectively fish with artificial lures more often.  I've slowly weened myself off the use of live bait nowadays.

Edited May 6 by gimruis

[SkunkedAgain]

I've got a pile of crawlers ready to go - a nice side benefit of all the rain in the metro lately.

 

At the very least, I hope that the remaining trappers are making some better money off of the higher prices. I would think that it would be a great way for local kids to make some cash. I can see why it wouldn't make for a great way to make a living as an adult.

[CigarGuy]

Quick update: Lucky 7 now has rainbows, fatheads, crappie and light pike in stock. If I remember correctly, scoop of rainbows was $8.99.  Stopped at L&M in Virginia. Rainbows $6.99, fatheads and crappie minnows (scoop) $3.99. I was billed $6.99 dozen for rainbows, but was given a healthy scoop!

Edited May 7 by CigarGuy

[mbeyer]

what does the ride from Virginia to the lake do to the bait.....survive OK?

[PSU]

I have never had a challenge mbeyer

[SkunkedAgain]

If you turn on a movie they survive the 20min ride just fine. After many controlled experiments, I've found that they survive much better if you show "Finding Nemo" instead of "Jaws."

[smurfy]

any idea on the going rate for leeches.......not by the lb????/ havent bought any in a few years!!!

[CigarGuy]

1 hour ago, smurfy said:

any idea on the going rate for leeches.......not by the lb????/ havent bought any in a few years!!!

 

This is the bait frig at L&M in Virginia, the other day. Also, added Highway 65 bait.

Edited May 9 by CigarGuy

[leech~~]

1 hour ago, smurfy said:

any idea on the going rate for leech-is.......not by the lb????/ havent bought any in a few years!!!

Hey, I'm not cheap buddy, but it depends on the work too? 

[smurfy]

12 minutes ago, leech~~ said:

Hey, I'm not cheap buddy, but it depends on the work too? 

didn't see that coming  pretty funny.

[CigarGuy]

18 minutes ago, smurfy said:

didn't see that coming  pretty funny.

You guys giving me crap for my detailed reply? 🫣

[smurfy]

1 hour ago, CigarGuy said:

You guys giving me crap for my detailed reply? 🫣

nope...Leech's smartypants reply!!!!!!!

 

i liked it!!!!!!!!

Edited May 9 by smurfy

[SkunkedAgain]

Most years for opener I drive up on Thursday. This year it was Friday afternoon so I figured bait would be tight. The only place that I stopped was L&M in Virginia. They said that they sold out of rainbows by 11am. I got crappie minnows and never needed the rainbows. All my walleye were caught dragging raps. The crappie minnows....well, you know what they caught.

[monstermoose78]

5 hours ago, SkunkedAgain said:

Most years for opener I drive up on Thursday. This year it was Friday afternoon so I figured bait would be tight. The only place that I stopped was L&M in Virginia. They said that they sold out of rainbows by 11am. I got crappie minnows and never needed the rainbows. All my walleye were caught dragging raps. The crappie minnows....well, you know what they caught.

Muskies? Lol

[SkunkedAgain]