The Art of Handling Bait
I love watching people fish. There are all sorts of styles and experience levels, and sometimes I think the fish really don’t care. I ‘ve observed some fairly strange practices up and down the coast. But one thing I’ve noticed is the strange myriad of ways people use their bait. You've heard and read a thousand times what to do with your baits. Cut them at an nth-degree angle, hook them this way, fish them that way. But really, some of you need to know what not to do!
Here’s some tips gleamed from what I have seen:
[1] Don't soak ballyhoo (or any other bait fish for that matter) in formaldehyde. Sure it toughens them, but I've seen too many rejected
[2] Don't put leftover live eels in a fish tank or open container. They can slither out, which can be frightening at 2 a.m.
[3] Don't gulp down live bullhead minnow as a joke. They carry parasites that can survive in humans.
[4] Don't leave a cooler of menhaden in your car or truck overnight. If the cooler plug leaks your truck or car will still stink for months.
[5] Don't leave pre- cut baits sitting on top of a cooler. Someone is sure to sit on them or the birds will dive bomb you.
[6] Don't cut up or bait with bloodworms when you're wearing a shirt that you don't want to ruin.
[7] Don't mix fresh-caught live squid with any other bait. They're sure to release their ink, which stains just about everything.
[8] Don't eat raw menhaden, trust me you won’t hold it down.