Natural vs Store Bought

[majflyboy]

Which is the best bait to use, the natural shad that are in the lake you are fishing or the minnows from the local bait shop? Seems like natural would be better but I haven't seen a discussion of it.

[CrappiePappy]

I'm thinking the deal may be ... Shad are better, but minnows are easier :p

... cp

[CatFan]

Shad are notoriously hard to keep alive in a tank. If you can find them close to the surface and have a cast net, you can do it, but it's easier to buy minnows.

[ScottV]

Jigs are even easier than minnows. LOL

[Spoonminnow]

Jigs are even easier than minnows. LOL

... and usually more effective.

[FTBLFAN]

The problem I've had with shad the size you'd want to crappie fish is that they get hung up in the throw net.

They're hard to get out and/or die while you're trying.

[Hanr3]

Which works better really depends on what the fish want to eat.

[CrappiePappy]

The problem I've had with shad the size you'd want to crappie fish is that they get hung up in the throw net.

They're hard to get out and/or die while you're trying.

You must be throwing a 3/8" mesh net. What you need is a 1/4" mesh net !!

... cp