Many of us use lures because we don’t have access to the real thing. But when we have the chance, we’ll take live bait. Live bait offers that natural scent, movement, and taste that bass go crazy for. Live bait aren’t as hard to catch as you might think, but it will take a bit of extra effort to get them and keep them alive. We’ll give you some ideas on the best ways to catch each type. So which types of live baits should you be using for bass fishing? And how do you get them?
Worms
If you’re lucky, you can dig in some moist dirt and grab some fat worms. But sometimes they are tricky to find. The scent from the worm will drift in the water, hopefully bringing along many hungry bass. If you don’t happen to find them in the ground, it is likely your local tackle shop will have some live ones for sale.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pimephales
Minnows
Minnows will catch bass, crappies, catfish, pretty much any freshwater fish. It’s best to use them while they’re live. You can catch them on your own by using a mesh seine, then keep them in a bait bucket. Otherwise, head to the bait store and pick up a few. It’s a good idea to attach a bobber to your line to keep the minnows close to the surface or suspend them near cover.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skipjack_shad
Shad
While minnows work well for the shallows and shoreline, shad are great for deeper, more open water. You may even catch a catfish after throwing one of these out. You can catch them with a cast net and keep them in an aerated bait bucket.
Crawfish
Crawfish are great for bass, they can’t resist! You’ll likely find them under rocks or debris buried in the mud. You could also catch them in a minnow trap, using some meat to lure them in. Keep them in a bait bucket with a small amount of water. When fishing them, use a hook through the tail.
Frogs
We’ve all caught frogs as kids, that’s how easy they are to catch! It’s just about finding them and finding enough. Hook the frog through its hind leg. This will allow it to try to swim to the surface, attracting bass while it goes.