The Shad would just avoid the trap, probably just swim under or around it. As far as "minnows" ... it would depend on species. A lot of those "minnows" are really just small sunfish and other gamefish fry. I'm not too sure any of them would go into the trap, either (of that you could even legally use them, even if they did).Originally Posted by speckhunter
Now, there is a "minnow" that's EXCELLENT Crappie bait, and is subject to coming to your lights (if you have them in your waters). That is the Brook Silverside (what some call "Ghost Minnow" or "Pin Minnow", in some places). My Grandpa (incorrectly) called them "Skipjacks" :D
Best way I know of, to catch them .... ease along close to the bank, after dark, with a lantern/12V light/blacklight ... and use a long handled dip net to dip them up with. They will follow the moving light, if you go slow enough. But, you have to dip them up "head first", as trying to come up from behind them will only result in them jumping clear of the net.
The Shad can be caught with dip net or cast net. Keeping either species alive is the hardest part, though I have used (and seen used) the recently deceased ones, with positive results.
Here's a Brook Silverside minnow :
.... cp