Legal Freshwater Bait Bait Fish

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, also known as the FWC, freshwater shrimp and golden shiners of any size or other freshwater nongame fish, including catfish, less than 8 inches in total length may be taken for freshwater bait, unless specifically prohibited, by the following methods:

• Cast nets having a stretched mesh size not greater than 1 inch in fresh waters of the state unless specifically prohibited.
• Minnow dip nets are not more than 4 feet in diameter.
• Minnow seines has a stretched mesh size not greater than 1 inch, a length not more than 20 feet, and a depth not more than 4 feet.
• Minnow traps are not more than 24 inches in length and 12 inches in diameter, with a funnel entrance not more than 1 inch in spread.
• These techniques must result in the immediate release of any game fish.
• The taking of Freshwater Bait for the purpose of sale requires a commercial fishing license.

Use of Freshwater Bait

• Black bass, peacock bass or any part thereof may not be used as bait.
• No live nonnative fish, except variable platys and fathead minnows, may be transported to or between waters for use as Freshwater Bait.
• Live goldfish and carp may not be used as bait.
• The angler who is sportfishing may use whole pickerel or panfish (such as bluegill, redear sunfish, redbreast sunfish, spotted sunfish, flier, or warmouth) or parts thereof as bait.
• Whole pickerel, bream or parts thereof may not be used as bait for trotlines, bush hooks or any method other than by rod and reel or pole and line.
• You can buy and use panfish for bait that are less than 4 inches long overall and raised in a licensed aquaculture facility.

Best Live Bait fish

• 1. Live Bluegill
• 2. Live Redear sunfish
• 3. Live Spotted sunfish

It is best to fish with live bait fish without using a sinker because using a sinker will render the bait fish incapable of swimming. If you want to try to keep the bait alive for a longer period of time, you should be careful not to cast too much with the live bait fish. This will cause the bait fish to die more quickly each time it hits the water, so it is best to choose a spot to cast and let the bait do all the work. Also, make sure that you choose a bait fish that is of a size that will allow you to catch the fish you are looking for. If you use a bait fish that is too large, it may not get as much action as something that is between three and four inches in size.

Sources:

Freshwater Bait – Freshwater Fishing Basics – Fishmaster Blog