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I have only speared them or shot them with a bow. Might be tough through the ice.
Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think you're aloud to use corn as bait in New Hampshire, something to do with the kernel not breaking down and blocking the digestive tract of the fish. Also cusk traps are only to be used in certain lakes. All that aside it would probably be a lot of fun on a jigging rod but you might need more than an 8" hole... Give it a shot and let us know how you make out
Corn may be used for bait in NH waters. From the FAQ section on the F&G website:However, you may be right in the hole size. Some of these fish are rather large. I’d hate to hook into a big one and not be able to land it. Maybe I could drill two holes side by side. It’s curious that we have such large fish in local ponds and most people seem uninterested in targeting them.
Trout struggle big time to process corn. I’ve seen several just stuffed full of kernels, it can’t be good for the fish and I won’t use it for that reason even if legal. If you’re going to use it as bait please don’t poor the whole can down the hole when you’re done with it.
No trout in the little muck pond where I’ll be fishing, so no worries, but who would waste perfectly good corn? Just like night crawlers and red fins, eat whatever you don’t send down the hole.
Look up hair rigs. You'll want to use them.
Cut a nice big square hole with your chainsaw so you have some room to move and land a powerful fish. A gaff might be in order as well. Could be kinda fun. Carp, if in clean water is a good eating meaty fish... If in backwater muck, good fertilizer...