Minnows and how to catch them.

[Andy Macfarlane]

I use the big coffee jars. They have the advantage of weight, clarity and the obvious screw on lid. I tie heavy mono or string round the neck of the jar, half-fill it with water and throw the trap out. It may stand upright at first but once the bubbles stop appearing, a sharp tug will make it fall on its side. If you have waders, walk out and place the traps any way you wish. I normally use bread as 'bait' but maggots and worms will do equally well, if not better.

I noticed that a trap can lie empty for hours at a time and the minnows may not appreciate this vessel in thier chosen area. Minnows love a frenzy though and they hate missing out on food. By leaving a few angered minnows inside, they almost queue up to get in.

Minnows can be kept in a brewing barrel or something but make sure you put some mesh and a brick on top. They like making a bid for freedom and Magpies are very fond of them. They don't require any special care. You can refresh the water every day, straight from the hose/tap.

Almost anything will take a live minnow. Big Pike will happily scoff a minnow as will Perch, Trout, Sea-Trout, Rainbows etc.

 

 

[Guest Ferret1959]

I normally do well catching minnows when match fishing.

[GlennB]

Size 18 hook and a single maggot works for me

[Ed Matysiak]

I just stick a fine mesh net in. At this time of year you can get enough minnows out for a session in one scoop.

[corydoras]

Andy

This might be an 'auld wives tale', I have never tried it but minnows are supposed to be drawn to something red. Try putting a wee bit of red rag in the jar as 'bait'.

[Guest Ferret1959]

I've heard most fish are attracted to red so I reccon it may help.

[Ed Matysiak]

Sticklebacks are attracted to red. When i studied them in the lab i had great fun making the males chase red bits of paper around .

If it works with sticklebacks it may work with minnows, try it!

[corydoras]

It may be sticklebacks I was thinking about too, but hey try it, it cannot do any harm and it may even work.

[Andy Macfarlane]

I,ll try red maggots in one trap and white maggots in another, side by side and see which trap attracts the most attention. A little experimentation adds too the whole minnow collecting adventure...

[Jim Murray]

Bass-Pro do a great cheap wire minnow trap; it stacks away neatly and of course it is unbreakable. Might be worth it if you're ordering some other stuff from them,

 

Jim.