Using live bait is one of the most effective ways to fish. In fact, when there are not a lot of fish around, catching and using live bait is often the best way to get them biting. Plenty of anglers love catching their own bait for the challenge of it, and live bait is hard to beat for the bigger species like mulloway and big flathead. Here is how to catch it and keep it lively.
The Best Way to Catch Live Bait
There are a few simple ways to gather live bait:
- A yabby pump, a simple device used to suck yabbies and small crabs out of the seabed and sand flats.
- A bait net, a circular net you scoop through the shallows close to shore, in the direction of the tide.
- A bait jig, a string of small hooks you drop down through a school of baitfish.
One important thing to know: cast nets are illegal for recreational use in NSW, so leave those out of the kit. To keep your bait alive, use a bucket or tub and change the water regularly, especially when you are moving between spots.
The Best Live Baits to Use
Around Sydney, top live baits include yellowtail scad (yakkas), slimy mackerel, mullet, herring, garfish and pilchards. Match the bait to what you are chasing: small live baits for the bread-and-butter species, and bigger baits like mullet, tailor, mackerel or pike for trophy fish such as kingfish, mulloway and even marlin.
Rigs and Tips for Live Bait Fishing
Keep your bait fresh and lively when you rig it, as tired bait will not draw a strike. Use a single hook for smaller baits, pinned through the shoulder so the fish can still swim naturally. A double-hook rig suits larger baits, but it shortens their life. Other options are to hook through the dorsal fin, the nostrils, the throat or near the anal vent, depending on how you want the bait to sit and swim.
Is Live Bait Better for Fishing?
Fish eat real food, and live bait is exactly that. It helps you land larger fish and species that will not touch a lure, and there is a real satisfaction in catching your own bait and turning it into a trophy fish.
Fish eat real food, and live bait is exactly that.
Want to try live bait fishing? Our fishing experts at Wahoo have all the local knowledge you need to get started. Send us an enquiry or give us a call.
