Finding Baitfish Part 3

In this part about baitfish we will be looking on how to make finding baitfish easier although it can be a very time consuming thing to do when you not sure what to look for. In this article I will try to give you some pointers on what to look for and even how to try and catch a few of our smaller fish species. By knowing your local hangout places of bait fish can make finding bass easy!

Birds

Bird is one of the angler's best friends, it's not common to see little kingfisher birds hanging in the air looking for something to eat. Birds like the Kingfishers normally feed on smaller species of fish where birds like Cormorants feed on both small and lagers fish. Always keep a sharp eye open for birds, they most probably the best fish locators available. Although bird tend to concentrate on the shallower sections of the body of water you would be surprised on how many time you will find them feeding on baitfish in the deep water. I recall some occasions where I got cormorants feeding on glassies in 25ft 30ft of water, don't think that they really dive that deep, Mr. Bass also helps them in this deep water, let me explain. Bass feed on the baitfish in this case glassies and that force the bait boll to move up from the deep water, this make it easy for the birds and the bass as the bait boll don't really know where to go because they getting it form both top and bottom.

Visual Approach

Using this approach can be a really tough but it can also be working in your favor however there are a few variables that you need to really do this successfully. You will need some clean water, good polarized sunglasses, clear skies and sometimes lots and lots of patience! Below is a few of the easiest species to find with the visual approach

Dwarf Kurper
Ghielies
Dwarf Tiger
Vlei Kurper
Canary Kurper
Mosquito Fish

Make sure that you choose swampy grassy area's when you looking for this species. Please refer to my previous articles on baitfish

Diving

This can also be a very great way to find baitfish, I never exploit this approach bit I'm sure that it can be a very good way to understand not only baitfish but also bass. This would actually be a good way to check out some off your favorite fishing spots also. Make sure that you got a camera so that you can take some nice pictures and make sure that you know where you have seen baitfish or structure

Netting

Although I'm not a supporter of this approach it can also be a possibility. Make sure that you choose a good area before trying something like this. Looks for swampy area's

Fishing

Now this is actually a very enjoyable way, this is actually a part of artificial lure angling. I have seen some old timers having a boll playing with all the different species and it's also a very enjoyable trip for small kids, it will keep them busy for a very long period! One get very small hook, no smaller than what you think! Hooks van vary from size 20 to size 32!! The smaller sized hooks are used for the smaller fish like glassies and mosquito fish where as the bigger size 20 hooks are used for slightly bigger species and then you can use the size 16 hooks for a full curlytail

Above is the rigs used by artlure anglers to catch "Baitfish"

On top is the size 16 hook with a full 1 inch curlytail grub
In the middle is the size 20 hook with a small piece of a grub, the size of the bait is about 2mm.
Bottom is the size 32 hook the bait can actually be a bit smaller but taking the photo is difficult then. Bait size is about 1mm

Methods
When fishing the selected spot one can make use of ways to "call" the fish, let me try and explain. Take your line up so that there is about 500mm line from hook to the tip of your rod and with a circle motion hit the splitshot on the water. Do this for about 20 times and let the rig drop down to the ground, give it about 5 seconds and give it a short jerk almost like a strike and let it fall back to the ground. Repeat this until you feel the fish on the line. Don't worry .. you will definitely feel when there is a fish doesn't matter what size they are!
Tackle
Artlure anglers normally make use of a fly rod with a normal very small spinning reel spooled with 2lbs to max 5pnd line. Remember you not trying to catch 2 kg bass you getting small fish so heavy line will make it difficult for you to feel the fish!
Baits
Baits are very small because of the hook size, the basic colors being used is white, yellow, pink, and brown but nothing stops you from using something else. Berkley got a "power wiggler" bait also known as "stinkies" which is very popular for this small species.

When you out trying this and you catch some species take pic's of them and save it to your logbook. If you not sure on what type of species they are you more than welcome to contact me to try and help you identify it.

Fish Finder

The white clouds on the x-ray version of the pic's are bait bolls.

Closing Summary

Next time you out fishing take some time to do some "Baitfish homework".Know the area's on your local body of water where the baitfish hangout and I'm sure that you will be getting a few more bass in your livewell. If you got some questions regarding any of things in this article please don't hesitate to contact me and make sure to refer to my previous articles for identifying area's and species.

VX70
Bassing.co.za Pro Staff Member

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