Night Fishing for bait

[Nightprowler]

I know that night fishing for crappies with lights attracts minnows. Has anybody try catching the minnows with a large dip net? or is it mostly shad? Thinking more of something easier to keep alive for extended time like baitshop minnows. Heres a pic of Jann,s Netcraft bait net 16" by 10"

[CrappiePappy]

I know that night fishing for crappies with lights attracts minnows. Has anybody try catching the minnows with a large dip net? or is it mostly shad? Thinking more of something easier to keep alive for extended time like baitshop minnows. Heres a pic of Jann,s Netcraft bait net 16" by 10"

I don't think the "minnows" you see under your lights, are actually "minnows" (as in the baitshop kind). They're usually Shad, with the occasional Silversides ... at least they are on most lakes I've fished.
That bait net probably wouldn't get many Shad or Silversides .... they're pretty fast :p
BUT .... if you ease along the bank at night, with a light hanging over the side of the boat (towards the bank) ... if the light is followed by several pencil shaped "minnows", you could probably dip those up with that net. Those are Silversides ... and one of, if not THE, best Crappie bait going
You're not likely to catch Shad in it though ... you'd probably need a cast net (plus a circular bait well/bucket & aeration).
You might be able to get some creek minnows with a net like that ... but, even it would have to be shallow. A seine does a much better job, if the water is much over knee deep.
I think the primary purpose of that "bait net" ... is dipping from a "cement pond" :D (aka - baitshop minnow tank).

... cp

[i-catch-cartags]

I agree with pappy!!! Those little thread fin are pretty fast most times you try dippin they,ll scoot right out of your net I,ve got a minnow trap some times you can put some bread or dog food inside & catch a few. If you can throw a net & catch the bigger shad they make good stripe & cat bait.

[sea-sons]

Ya gota be pretty fast but you can catchem. And they work really well.

[Nightprowler]

how about this idea, Not scooping the bait with the net, but bringing the bait to the net? The idea is with a spot light, pull the minnow/shad from your night light to the net using the spot light??? Next trip I'll try it and how it works.....or not