Any rigging tips or favorite setup for using live bait for bass such as bluegill or green sunfish? I’m fishing a small subdivision pond and wanted to try some live bait fishing. I’ve been fishing for prob the last 20 years or ever since I could hold a rod in my hands as I’m sure most of you have been too. But I’ve literally never used live bluegill or sunfish for bass so any tips would be appreciated !!!! Thanks and keep rippin those lips yal!!!!!!
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by 4-Ever-LSU
I'd use a dropper loop (dropshot kinda) if you wanna keep the bait in place. Baitfish will try and flee from bass so Carolina rig wouldn't be smart. Hook the bait by the lips or near the tail above the spine. Use circle/octopus/livebait hooks. Don't cast like you cast lures. Cast more of like a lobbing motion and do it gently. Catch fish.
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by SamuraiPineapple
Do you ever have issues with the bait getting tangled up when you use the dropper loop ? I was thinking of maybe using a three way swivel but not sure if that would help since the Bakst is gonna be swimming and moving around
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by 4-Ever-LSU
I like to use just a small size 1/0 or 2/0 circle hook thin wire run it up through his upper jaw and carefully cast it out that way it’ll stay alive and swim normally considering he’s got a new piercing. If you want the fish to swim down maybe you’re in deeper water just hook the fish right behind the anal fin. As far as line if you are using braid, use a line to line knot and attach some flour carbon and throw the hook right on there. You don’t want anything extra on the lines like weights or swivels or beads or any of that nonsense. If you aren’t using braid just tie the hook at the end of your line.
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by befstrknauf
Couple options to hook them. Depending on size of bait you can hook them through the tail, back or lips/skull. At about the 2:00 mark we show how to hook the bluegill (we are fishing for catfish but same concept applies for hooking the bait).
Hooking Live Bluegill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb2OCLxdggYBut bluegill have worked really well for us when fishing for bass! If using a circle hook you don't need to set the hook hard...just pull up and start reeling and the hook should set itself.
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by catfishnoodler
Also not sure how many poles/people will be fishing but more poles the better (especially if using circle hooks)!
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by catfishnoodler
Big dog
Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York
FS Digest wrote:
Any rigging tips or favorite setup for using live bait for bass such as bluegill or green sunfish? I’m fishing a small subdivision pond and wanted to try some live bait fishing. I’ve been fishing for prob the last 20 years or ever since I could hold a rod in my hands as I’m sure most of you have been too. But I’ve literally never used live bluegill or sunfish for bass so any tips would be appreciated !!!! Thanks and keep rippin those lips yal!!!!!!
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by 4-Ever-LSU
I’ve had plenty success with a “slip bobber” rig. I can adjust it to any depth from 1 foot to 100 feet. Hook your bait just behind the dorsal fin, avoiding the spine so it can swing freely. Fishing deeper requires some weight but only use as much as you need. Good luck 👍
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