Dace vs Shiners

[vt-jig]

Has anyone noticed a difference in catch rates between dace and shiners as bait? Specifically for trout. I've got a spot where I can catch them somewhat reliably, so I figured I could cut down on bait cost a little this weekend, if they will work alright. They aren't quite as bucket hardy as shiners, at least in the warmer months.

[fishingidjit]

I never noticed any difference between the two but a smelt would always get more flags than either of those two . i have added "smelt-rite" to shiners/dace with good results.

[vt-jig]

Definitely hear ya on the smelt. With any luck we will be able to pull a few of those Saturday night while we wait for the sun to rise.  But I'm really bad at catching smelt so I'm not gonna hold my breath on them. 

[peteinvermont]

I actually wanted to experiment with this myself but realized I'm worse at trapping bait in the winter than I am at catching smelt.  All my summer dace hot spots are devoid of life in the winter.

[lowaccord66]

Have noticed a difference but using 12-14" dace. 

[vt-jig]

Have noticed a difference but using 12-14" dace.

thats a huge Dace   the ones I catch USUALLY run between 2" and 6".

[gogetthegaff]

thats a huge Dace   the ones I catch USUALLY run between 2" and 6".

Could be a Fallfish. They look a lot like dace and are common in some of our larger rivers, i.e. the Winooski, Lamoille, Otter Creek, etc.

[vt-jig]

Could be a Fallfish. They look a lot like dace and are common in some of our larger rivers, i.e. the Winooski, Lamoille, Otter Creek, etc.

watched my buddy jig up a 12-13" fallfish at lake fairlee once, they do look similar.