IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Maine => Ice Fishing Maine => Topic started by: HardwaterFish on Oct 10, 2013, 08:36 AM
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Well I saw some chatter about trapping bait, the flood gates have opened. Troutaddict and myself have been out a few times and already started collecting more and more chest freezers, and stocking up on bait. Here is some early season bait porn from this past weekend.
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd463/hardwaterfish/IMG_20131006_164253_201_zps329c1175.jpg) (http://s1221.photobucket.com/user/hardwaterfish/media/IMG_20131006_164253_201_zps329c1175.jpg.html)
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd463/hardwaterfish/IMG_20131006_162234_101_zps6287abe1.jpg) (http://s1221.photobucket.com/user/hardwaterfish/media/IMG_20131006_162234_101_zps6287abe1.jpg.html)
Good Haul:
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd463/hardwaterfish/IMG_20131005_181747_266_zps157d5589.jpg) (http://s1221.photobucket.com/user/hardwaterfish/media/IMG_20131005_181747_266_zps157d5589.jpg.html)
(http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd463/hardwaterfish/IMG_20131006_182024_zps9da7cfe9.jpg) (http://s1221.photobucket.com/user/hardwaterfish/media/IMG_20131006_182024_zps9da7cfe9.jpg.html)
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Nice haul HardwaterFish. I too have been trapping bait for a week or so but haven't put up the numbers like you guys have. Guess I have to still do some pond searching :)
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I like to use finer shinner on my bait, that you can order in the mail. If you trap your bait really early in the year. Also using a big chest freezer works very well for me also, if you have alot of bait. I check my bait daily for fungus on the tail of the bait, if so it will kill your bait off bigtime. water change and finner shinner and keeping your tank temp under 5o degrees also helps . And also a regular fish tank airator with a big air stone on it. thats all I use for the season and works well. I like the dace shinner for white fish and perch the best becauce they can live in a mudd puddle. Butt if you have dace over 3 inches or bigger they will eat the heads of you bait, no matter what type of bait you have. I keep them seperated from the other ones.
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Good haul right there. I've always had trouble keeping chubs though.
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Ive only been scouting around for different places, another couple weeks I will start keeping some. I do well for most species but suckers, is there a secret to finding/trapping them?
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Gonna head out tomorrow morning and put out some traps. :tipup:
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Put out my first bait trap in a pond in the woods behind the house today. I know it's got creek chub in it, but not sure if it has anything else. There's another, larger pond not far from here that I'll check next.
I'm not set up for keeping any bait yet, so it's more of a recon mission at this point!
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what are you using for bait ? ive tried everything and im still having trouble getting them to get in my traps ???
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Why start so early I get my bait in one day :)
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he is a bait dealer rusty. plus... i think he likes to show off ;D
ill be checking out a few spots this coming weekend.
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i just got back in from putting out my traps , finally found my bait combo that works 7 dz in about an hr soak !! rebaited and set them back in different spot for the night should be stuffed full im hoping ! ;D
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he is a bait dealer rusty. plus... i think he likes to show off ;D
ill be checking out a few spots this coming weekend.
It was more of a joke cause I had such a hard time finding bait last year up till I hit the honey hole
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It was more of a joke cause I had such a hard time finding bait last year up till I hit the honey hole
LOL....... I was going to comment about that very thing Rusty, I remembered you had some struggles early on last year.
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I guess I should have said that the bait isn't going into chest freezers quite yet. They are currently in a secure location @)
Epkomd, I'm not a bait dealer, just to be clear. That is not the point of this.
Rusty, maybe you can share some tips with us ;)
Keptafew, no big secrets or tricks, you just need to find water with a sufficient supply.
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Anyone ever try or use a clover shaped trap ? Just finished making one , and going to try tomorrow.
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Here is a tip: DONT forget your bait trapping permit for each water you plan on trapping. :P
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Anyone ever try or use a clover shaped trap ? Just finished making one , and going to try tomorrow.
I have used them a few times, they seem to be productive, but the shape isn't as important as the location of the trap :)
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Good haul ! but a little early for me.. Just got all my permits today for the season so I'm about ready to start.
Looking for a large chest freezer right now.. :) Got my sucker traps out and ready..
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it needs to be colder for me to start. maybe after this full moon it will cool down.got my own stocked pond so don't have to look around for ponds to trap.
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Here is a tip: DONT forget your bait trapping permit for each water you plan on trapping. :P
Correct, I got mine the other day and pulled a few today. Not to many, but I love the size
(http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii213/coach04222/100_2389_zpsaf47d78d.jpg)
(http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii213/coach04222/100_2390_zpse718872c.jpg)
They also told me this will be the last year we might have to do that, new regulations going into next years rules to fix that.
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Couple questions for you guys....Been trapping bait for quite a few years now but wondering how you get your tank started? Do you use a little bit of water that you trapped your fish out of or do you start completely with fresh well water with some additive? Also what brand dog food do you find works best/leaves the best slick in the water? Im going to start trapping soon. Thanks guys.
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Couple questions for you guys....Been trapping bait for quite a few years now but wondering how you get your tank started? Do you use a little bit of water that you trapped your fish out of or do you start completely with fresh well water with some additive? Also what brand dog food do you find works best/leaves the best slick in the water? Im going to start trapping soon. Thanks guys.
I hold mine in a lake so can't help you with the first part but Gravy Train has always done the best job for me, not sure why. Put a handful in an onion sack or piece of mesh athletic bag, will get several pulls without the mess, good luck.
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Just got my permits for all the waters I trap bait, and Nels the fisheries bio, said this will be the last season for permits as for next year you will not need a permit to trap bait for personal use unless specified in the book.
:thumbsup:
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Just got my permits for all the waters I trap bait, and Nels the fisheries bio, said this will be the last season for permits as for next year you will not need a permit to trap bait for personal use unless specified in the book.
:thumbsup:
You only need a permit for streams and bodies of waters that are closed for the season, correct?
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You only need a permit for streams and bodies of waters that are closed for the season, correct?
Correct.
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still waiting on dam permits for me, slowest office I have ever seen
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I just pulled my last trap for the season on shiners. Found a new honey hole and was pulling out 75 on an overnight soak and about a dozen suckers on the same. Earliest I've ever finished my trapping...
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still waiting on dam permits for me, slowest office I have ever seen
I drove over and got mine, took a whole 20 minutes and put my traps in on the way back home
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You only need a permit for streams and bodies of waters that are closed for the season, correct?
Forgive me if this is kind of a "dumb" question, but I have to ask... Do waters that are "closed for the season" in Maine mean they have the "CO" letter codes in the "Official State of Maine Open Water & Ice Fishing Laws and Rules" book? If "special rules" don't include anything about a water being closed, it is fine to trap bait in?
I actually emailed the IFW about a certain place and "permits" and they said:
"All one would need is a fishing license to trap bait for your own use." So... between this thread and there... a little confusion sets in...
Michele
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Forgive me if this is kind of a "dumb" question, but I have to ask... Do waters that are "closed for the season" in Maine mean they have the "CO" letter codes in the "Official State of Maine Open Water & Ice Fishing Laws and Rules" book? If "special rules" don't include anything about a water being closed, it is fine to trap bait in?
I actually emailed the IFW about a certain place and "permits" and they said:
"All one would need is a fishing license to trap bait for your own use." So... between this thread and there... a little confusion sets in...
Michele
Just go get a permit for for all the water you trap than there is no questions. Closed or not. That what I do and you can have up to 5 areas to trap on one permit. :) You can do it all on line..
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Going to give this bait trapping thing a try this year. As with most things I am lazy and looking for an easy out. If anyone has a low end bait tank and is looking to upgrade let me know. I would be happy to throw a few bucks at something that works. Plan on keeping them in my uninsulated garage.
Thanks for your time.
TK
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Going to give this bait trapping thing a try this year. As with most things I am lazy and looking for an easy out. If anyone has a low end bait tank and is looking to upgrade let me know. I would be happy to throw a few bucks at something that works. Plan on keeping them in my uninsulated garage.
Thanks for your time.
TK
Do you have a local dump? ussually you can get a old chest freezer there for free , or a blue plastic 55 gallon drum. Than just get a cheap airator at wal mart and a hang on the side water filter from wal mart and your good to go. Oh ya a clamp on light for a heat source it will freeze in your garage.. :)
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Do you have a local dump? ussually you can get a old chest freezer there for free , or a blue plastic 55 gallon drum. Than just get a cheap airator at wal mart and a hang on the side water filter from wal mart and your good to go. Oh ya a clamp on light for a heat source it will freeze in your garage.. :)
we call this the "north of bangor model" :)
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thats exactly what i run for a bait tank apj !! been trapping and using it all summer and havent lost a single shiner !! :thumbsup:
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Going to give this bait trapping thing a try this year. As with most things I am lazy and looking for an easy out. If anyone has a low end bait tank and is looking to upgrade let me know. I would be happy to throw a few bucks at something that works. Plan on keeping them in my uninsulated garage.
Thanks for your time.
TK
These both works for me
This is 102 quart Cooler
(http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii213/coach04222/100_1704.jpg)
This is 55 gallon plastic barrel that we have drilled holes into and sunk it into the water
(http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii213/coach04222/100_1719.jpg)
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APJ, how do you go abou getting the permits online?
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APJ, how do you go abou getting the permits online?
I just sent a e-mail to my local biologist in Enfield describing each location approximatley. And he sends the permit right back same day.
So you should just call your closest fish and wildlife office ask for a biologist get a e-mail and thats it. :)
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thanks.
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Hey Coach..... I like that barrel idea. I am currently using a big chest freezer in my unheated garage but live right on the shores of a lake and this year I have access to couple barrels. What do you use to cover your barrel? I may try this setup for keeping smelts this year, or switch over to the barrels from freezer once ice forms and not have to bother with aerators and filtering.
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Coach I like that. When I go north to camp which is usually at least 3 days at a time. I have a large Rubbermaid bin that I drilled a number of holes in and keep them right in the lake. Nothing better than natural habitat, especially for smelts.
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still waiting on dam permits for me, slowest office I have ever seen
you don't need to wait rusty. as long as the local warden knows you applied you're good to go!
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Hey Coach..... I like that barrel idea. I am currently using a big chest freezer in my unheated garage but live right on the shores of a lake and this year I have access to couple barrels. What do you use to cover your barrel? I may try this setup for keeping smelts this year, or switch over to the barrels from freezer once ice forms and not have to bother with aerators and filtering.
We drilled 3/8" holes all around the barrel and drilled a bunch of holes in the bottom. A friend of mine cut a One (1) foot hole in the bottom of his and covered it with wire in hopes of keeping the water as clean as possible. For the cover we got a piece of 1" Styrofoam and cut that just smaller then the opening in the barrel, then we screwed the Styrofoam to a piece of plywood attached a handle on it so we had a place to grab. We screwed 2x6's to each side of the barrel and they sit right on the ice. Wait for the ice to freeze and then cut your hole and drop it in. Cover it with snow and then you can hide it in plain sight.
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you don't need to wait rusty. as long as the local warden knows you applied you're good to go!
got it the other day...........thanks for the heads up though
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We drilled 3/8" holes all around the barrel and drilled a bunch of holes in the bottom. A friend of mine cut a One (1) foot hole in the bottom of his and covered it with wire in hopes of keeping the water as clean as possible. For the cover we got a piece of 1" Styrofoam and cut that just smaller then the opening in the barrel, then we screwed the Styrofoam to a piece of plywood attached a handle on it so we had a place to grab. We screwed 2x6's to each side of the barrel and they sit right on the ice. Wait for the ice to freeze and then cut your hole and drop it in. Cover it with snow and then you can hide it in plain sight.
I will be trying it out this year...... If all goes well I will transfer the bait in my chest freezer to the barrels, save my back hauling 5 gallon buckets of lake water all winter changing out my bait tank water. Not to mention the cost running equipment.
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set my first first trap today
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My son and I put our first taps out yesterday.... pulled 7-8 dozen in about 4 hours. ..then set back for the night. Hoping for full traps this morning.
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I will be trying it out this year...... If all goes well I will transfer the bait in my chest freezer to the barrels, save my back hauling 5 gallon buckets of lake water all winter changing out my bait tank water. Not to mention the cost running equipment.
I've been advocating for years that for those fortunate enough to live on a lake or have access to, you can't find a much easier system than the barrel for keeping bait, just freeze it in at first ice and good to go. I have a 2" piece of styrofoam in my lid that helps with freeze ups and just bank the outside of the barrel with snow. Can't get photobucket to work right now but the bottom of my barrel is completely cut out and replaced with 1/4" screen sitting on a wooden frame. If you don't do something like this you will experience a lot of die off in short order. I keep 25+ doz. all season long in this setup. In times of prolonged cold or lack of use you will need to chisel the inside a bit at times but chips off easy on the plastic.
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I've been advocating for years that for those fortunate enough to live on a lake or have access to, you can't find a much easier system than the barrel for keeping bait, just freeze it in at first ice and good to go. I have a 2" piece of styrofoam in my lid that helps with freeze ups and just bank the outside of the barrel with snow. Can't get photobucket to work right now but the bottom of my barrel is completely cut out and replaced with 1/4" screen sitting on a wooden frame. If you don't do something like this you will experience a lot of die off in short order. I keep 25+ doz. all season long in this setup. In times of prolonged cold or lack of use you will need to chisel the inside a bit at times but chips off easy on the plastic.
The Lake I live on is dam controlled and water level decreases significantly throughout the winter so I would have hard time sitting it on a wooden frame off the bottom but the idea of making a frame and setting on top of ice is ideal for my location. Would you suggest drilling a lot of holes on sides and bottom or cut the bottom right out altogether and screening it closed???
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The Lake I live on is dam controlled and water level decreases significantly throughout the winter so I would have hard time sitting it on a wooden frame off the bottom but the idea of making a frame and setting on top of ice is ideal for my location. Would you suggest drilling a lot of holes on sides and bottom or cut the bottom right out altogether and screening it closed???
(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r106/gamefisher_photos/dcp_20812.jpg)
(http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r106/gamefisher_photos/DCP_2082.jpg)
Not sure how much fluctation we are talking, maybe two barrels fastened end to end to create a "sleeve" if that dramatic of a water level change??? :-\
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Anyone have any idea how one day my trap can have 70-80 shiners, then I reset the trap and throw it in the same spot and get only a dozen or so? I'm using the same bait, same trap, and leaving them for an overnight soak. It will go up and down like that with each day and seems like this year I can't seem to be consistant with the trapping...
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Anyone have any idea how one day my trap can have 70-80 shiners, then I reset the trap and throw it in the same spot and get only a dozen or so? I'm using the same bait, same trap, and leaving them for an overnight soak. It will go up and down like that with each day and seems like this year I can't seem to be consistant with the trapping...
I've always felt that moon and weather factors effect bait trapping just like they do fishing and hunting, after all, bait trapping is really a form of fishing if you think about it. I don't know why but my bait traps always seem fullest around a full moon. I like to pull just before dark also, seems better in general.
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Anyone have any idea how one day my trap can have 70-80 shiners, then I reset the trap and throw it in the same spot and get only a dozen or so? I'm using the same bait, same trap, and leaving them for an overnight soak. It will go up and down like that with each day and seems like this year I can't seem to be consistant with the trapping...
That happens all the time just keep at it.. you have trapped the bait out right near your traps just wait a while and more will find it.. I got 92 shiners yesterday and 14 today so same thing.. :)
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That happens all the time just keep at it.. you have trapped the bait out right near your traps just wait a while and more will find it.. I got 92 shiners yesterday and 14 today so same thing.. :)
Early start this year huh
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Anyone ever try or use a clover shaped trap ? Just finished making one , and going to try tomorrow.
I have made two and they fish great. The only trouble I have is that I made my openings too big in one trap and I've caught 12 inch pickerel in it.
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Early start this year huh
Ya I found a awesome honey hole last year late and could not make in there, so this year I started a little early so i could drive right to it. All golden shiners getin 10 dozen every 2 days.. :thumbsup:
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I may chuck out a trap just to see how the bait is looking this year.
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ive tried two ponds recently that are loaded with bait, you can see huge schools of em everywhere. Any particular reason they aint entering my traps?
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ive tried two ponds recently that are loaded with bait, you can see huge schools of em everywhere. Any particular reason they aint entering my traps?
try suspending your traps.
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ive tried two ponds recently that are loaded with bait, you can see huge schools of em everywhere. Any particular reason they aint entering my traps?
Ya I tie a 2 liter soda bottle to it this time of year and just let it float around and that seems to work pretty good,..
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this cold has me thinking bait real bad
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just caught 81 shiners in one trap
24 hour soak
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Wheres all the pictures this season?? I miss not being able to trap my own bait.....
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Wheres all the pictures this season?? I miss not being able to trap my own bait.....
its still early
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just caught 81 shiners in one trap
24 hour soak
Thats a good haul! I checked mine last night and a 48 hour soak produced 100 even.. Just picked up a nice like new chest freezer that I'm pimping out to a nice bait tank.. Should have pics up in a couple of days. ;D
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Thats a good haul! I checked mine last night and a 48 hour soak produced 100 even.. Just picked up a nice like new chest freezer that I'm pimping out to a nice bait tank.. Should have pics up in a couple of days. ;D
You have ice yet on your bait areas
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with the this layer of ice on the bait ponds right now it sure makes it harder to get the traps out there.
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with the this layer of ice on the bait ponds right now it sure makes it harder to get the traps out there.
I'm just hoping for a little more so I can get on my ponds
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I'm just hoping for a little more so I can get on my ponds
How much you got up there? The ice lasted all day on the bait ponds down here to bad its going to warm up for the weekend.
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You have ice yet on your bait areas
Yes a skim coat it sucks setting traps too.
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Set up my new bait tank last night come out pretty sweet. I can keep another 500 extra in this one.. ;D
(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff452/sadchandler/trapping%20bait/2013newbaittank001_zps5d9157fd.jpg)
(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff452/sadchandler/trapping%20bait/2013newbaittank002_zps8c5c97da.jpg)
(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff452/sadchandler/trapping%20bait/2013newbaittank003_zpsd498532d.jpg)
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looks good APJ
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bait pond had two inches of ice but it was soft ice so couldn't get out on it
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no ice on the bait pond today so I threw out a trap will check it in a few hours
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no ice on the bait pond today so I threw out a trap will check it in a few hours
how did you do
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got 28 in little over 2.5 hours. I had to pull the trap for the night its suppose to get down to 15 so Hopefully I can get on it Thursday and set as many as possible cause if we get the 8-12 inches of snow they are calling for I can't get in to the spot without trailering my sled and all that mess so I want as many as possible by weekend
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8-12 inches of snow ?!!! :unsure: :unsure: where the h... are you located !!!lol
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8-12 inches of snow ?!!! :unsure: :unsure: where the h... are you located !!!lol
Northern Maine little town called Mars Hill
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Set my first bait traps of the season today. Gonna go back and check them Thursday or Friday. Hopefully got some luck
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Set my first bait traps of the season today. Gonna go back and check them Thursday or Friday. Hopefully got some luck
I have to empty mine twice a day once I get ice
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No ice here yet. And I can't check them that often. Checked them once a day the last few years, produced more over a few day soak.
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I found a honey hole that produces 6 types of bait so my traps are loaded day and night now if the snow holds off so I can get in if not its going to be lots of walking and hauling gear. I got spoiled last year.
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I found a honey hole that produces 6 types of bait so my traps are loaded day and night now if the snow holds off so I can get in if not its going to be lots of walking and hauling gear. I got spoiled last year.
About time Rusty Took a year but you finnaly found some.. :thumbsup:
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What are folks using as an "intake" on their filters? No matter what I seem to put on the end of the hose, every now and then I get a shiner that gets sucked up to it and dies. Only thing I've found that works is to put the intake high in the tank, but then it does not filter the water as nicely as I'd like. Any ideas?
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I put a plastic cap and on the end and drilled small holes in it. seems to help some.
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What are folks using as an "intake" on their filters? No matter what I seem to put on the end of the hose, every now and then I get a shiner that gets sucked up to it and dies. Only thing I've found that works is to put the intake high in the tank, but then it does not filter the water as nicely as I'd like. Any ideas?
I took some window screening and zip tied it so that it has a big ball around it keeps them from even getting close
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Was able to walk out on bait pond but it was cracking good so I didn't make big holes but 2 inches
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So I hauled 1 of my 3 traps last night. He other 2 ice froze in around them and cut my lines as I tried to pull them to shore. The one trap had about 3 dozen large shiners and a few meduim dace mixed in. Got to go back today and try to free the other 2 traps. Then I guess I have to wait for a little more ice to reset them
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What are folks using as an "intake" on their filters? No matter what I seem to put on the end of the hose, every now and then I get a shiner that gets sucked up to it and dies. Only thing I've found that works is to put the intake high in the tank, but then it does not filter the water as nicely as I'd like. Any ideas?
piece of PVC pipe with little holes all the way to the bottom??
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WIll a airator and filer be enough disturbance in the water to keep it from freezing in a 18 gallon plastic tote left in a garage?
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If that's not enough try one of those clamp on heat lamps
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pulled over 20 dozen tonight on a 3 hour soak
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(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/malysha2181/fish.jpg) (http://s943.photobucket.com/user/malysha2181/media/fish.jpg.html)
So I think I am getting a mix of these including the hybrid
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(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/malysha2181/fish.jpg) (http://s943.photobucket.com/user/malysha2181/media/fish.jpg.html)
So I think I am getting a mix of these including the hybrid
these make up 98% of my bait
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the hybrid or the dace
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the hybrid or the dace
both i get some nice redbellys, and the finscae are twice the size of the hybrids. i guess ima start getting a few dozen for early season. 3 traps should make me set for the month of dec. then ill be fishing smelt and emeralds.
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(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/malysha2181/bait.jpg) (http://s943.photobucket.com/user/malysha2181/media/bait.jpg.html)
My bait pull from today
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(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/malysha2181/bait.jpg) (http://s943.photobucket.com/user/malysha2181/media/bait.jpg.html)
My bait pull from today
Nice haul.. Where are those shiners? ???
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What is the most bait you have ever got in one trap? I set my first 2 trap of the year yesterday hauled them today and one trap had over 800 shiners in it!!
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What is the most bait you have ever got in one trap? I set my first 2 trap of the year yesterday hauled them today and one trap had over 800 shiners in it!!
was that a clover trap
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Nice haul.. Where are those shiners? ???
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/malysha2181/shiner.jpg) (http://s943.photobucket.com/user/malysha2181/media/shiner.jpg.html)
I only got a half dozen but I had never got any from this water before.......what do you guys find if you have a bait pond chucked full of different species of dace but there shiners how do you target the few shiners. I have plenty of dace and would like to get the bigger shiners..........I did put in my clover trap today that will only capture big bait as it was made with a 3/8 inch mesh wire
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what do you guys use for bait bait? pm me if youd like, i'm putting a bait trap in a beaver pond out back tomorrow am.
i heard of using dog food in a mesh bag. not sure which brand or what else works best.
i don't have any mesh bags so i'm hoping a sock is an adequate replacement ???
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I have used dog food in a onion bag .
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I have used dog food in a onion bag .
tried that earlier actually but the holes seem a bit big, food was falling out pretty easy.
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tried that earlier actually but the holes seem a bit big, food was falling out pretty easy.
thats fine some people "go naked" and just put the food in the trap
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Cheetos..... seriously, they work very well
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No Rusty it was just a normal 2 hole style trap, it was 3/4 of the way full of fish my best trap before this was just over 300. I cant understand how that many packed in there.
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tried that earlier actually but the holes seem a bit big, food was falling out pretty easy.
maybe we just using different onion bags mine has tiny holes.
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No Rusty it was just a normal 2 hole style trap, it was 3/4 of the way full of fish my best trap before this was just over 300. I cant understand how that many packed in there.
That is sweet, love it when you pull them up and all you see is black
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maybe we just using different onion bags mine has tiny holes.
yep there are two styles I like the smaller hole ones
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Also a quick fact mature creek chub never feed before 1100 cool fact
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Just rounded the tanks today with 100 dozen in each.. I'm ready to fish now! ;D
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I tried a new spot yesterday. Put one trap in a tiny little rock ledge pond by my house. Didn't think I would find anything. Left it overnight. Checked it this morning, over 12 dozen medium shiners. Set it back and went back at 330 this afternoon. And had more in it than the overnight soak. I guess I found my new favorite spot
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I tried a new spot yesterday. Put one trap in a tiny little rock ledge pond by my house. Didn't think I would find anything. Left it overnight. Checked it this morning, over 12 dozen medium shiners. Set it back and went back at 330 this afternoon. And had more in it than the overnight soak. I guess I found my new favorite spot
wish I found one like that myslef
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I went back again last night and pulled the trap and had another 3 dozen shiners
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Didn't take long for the traps to start getting stolen, I hate crooks!
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Where were your traps stolen from?
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going to put mine back out tomorrow fill up both tanks I got a new one up and going to seperate them lot easier to grab what you want early in the am
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Didn't take long for the traps to start getting stolen, I hate crooks!
yup. it sucks. i set em out at dark now, and pull em at dark. i see alot of places near the roads i want to trap, but i wont.
ill only trap waters off the beaten path now. a little more work, but it beats having to buy new traps constantly.
checking a big beaver bog thursday. hopefully it produces.
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I just found this pond last year after having 4 traps stolen at my old pond, its about 400 yards from a road and you can't even see any water from the pavement, sadley I think it was a deer hunter.
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Hi guys, I have a quick question about trapping bait. I go to school up in the 'County' and I do a good amount of ice fishing up here as well. I tried to catch some bait last year in a pond close by that is open to ice fishing with no luck, so this year I want to try and trap some of the rivers and smaller ponds that are closed to fishing during the winter time. Are the wardens/biologists willing to give us trappers written permission for the most part?
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Hi guys, I have a quick question about trapping bait. I go to school up in the 'County' and I do a good amount of ice fishing up here as well. I tried to catch some bait last year in a pond close by that is open to ice fishing with no luck, so this year I want to try and trap some of the rivers and smaller ponds that are closed to fishing during the winter time. Are the wardens/biologists willing to give us trappers written permission for the most part?
I have found in the county they do ask a few more questions about where, what, and why........I did get denied a portion of a waterway do to bass being present they were concerned that I would catch juvenile bass and then use them elsewhere, but for the most part its easy,,,,,but time consuming it seems to take a week or two of calling to get ahold of someone.
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Thanks for the info! Appreciate it and I will make some calls once I do a bit of scouting around the Presque Isle area!
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Thanks for the info! Appreciate it and I will make some calls once I do a bit of scouting around the Presque Isle area!
I could help you out I'm not far from there
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You need to talk to a biologist, that's what my area game warden told me.. He told me that the biologist will give you a permit to trap it our not. He knows what areas of water are open for trapping of live bait. Good luck, the game wardens will check you and they will fine you also. I think it is not legal to trap streams or rivers for bait also, not sure.
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you can trap streams and rivers just have to have a permit if its closed to ice fishing.....if its open to fishing at the time you want to put the trap in you can without a permit. yes you do have to talk to the biologist up here the wardens will not give you a permit
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you can trap streams and rivers just have to have a permit if its closed to ice fishing.....if its open to fishing at the time you want to put the trap in you can without a permit. yes you do have to talk to the biologist up here the wardens will not give you a permit
So easy down here in Lincoln Just e-mail the local biologist and 30min later you have a permit. I thought it was that easy everywhere.. :-\
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Question? Can anyone tell me where I can get bio media like the ceramic or plastic balls that I can fill a 2 liter bottle with and add a air line to? Saw this on you tube and it looks awesome in a bait tank for keeping it clear and clean. No room to add it to my filter system. Going to Bangor so maybe there?
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I'm...................BA CK!!!!!!!!!!!!
Such a long story, anyways your looking for the ceramic filter media. You need to go to petsmart or petco or to any good petshop they should have what you need just ask them. Or look online, ebay.... Walmart wont carry it. For my filters I go to the dollar store and just buy a few packs of the scrubbies. and thats my bio-filter media.
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I attach a tray under my waterfall filter with 3-4 of the used old filters and it works like a charm. Drill small holes in the tray and it will drain
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(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad279/malysha2181/filter.jpg) (http://s943.photobucket.com/user/malysha2181/media/filter.jpg.html)
its not fancy by anymeans but keeps my water crystal clear after it cyles
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Is it legal to bait trap in brooks and streams? If so, any chance I will actually catch any shiners in streams this time of year?
Thanks in advance for any information.
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If its open to recreational fishing, than it is open to trapping bait with a recreational fishing license, and vise versa.
-Dylan
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If its open to recreational fishing, than it is open to trapping bait with a recreational fishing license, and vise versa.
-Dylan
It has to be open during the time you put your trap in
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I attach a tray under my waterfall filter with 3-4 of the used old filters and it works like a charm. Drill small holes in the tray and it will drain
Thanks Rusty and freshbait.. I will try that for now RUSTY.. ;D
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(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v700/FRESHBAIT/assembled.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v700/FRESHBAIT/bucketfiltercomplete.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v700/FRESHBAIT/IMAG0140-1.jpg)
Quick shot at my small set up from last year due to small space requirments. It held 30dzn med shiners, chubs, killifish all winter. Total investetment on it was $40 I think. thats buying the barrel, the pond pump, filter material, some odds and ends PVC pieces and tubing. Theres a complete build up in the Bait trapping thread under DIY 55gal barrel bait tank.
link to that thread, hope it works
http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=234648.0
This was my setup a few years ago when I had the space, 30gal tote as filter with a 2000gph pond pump with a 400gal tank.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v700/FRESHBAIT/FILTER142.jpg)
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We are sitting on 17 dozen shiners after just one weekend of trapping with 2 traps!
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done with the shiners now and trapping suckers they are comming in good now need 10 dozen for the winter got 7 dozen this past week. ;D
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0 for 4 on my trap so far in the Westbrook area. A couple of quick questions. Do you guys suspend your traps? I have tried Purina,Kibbles and Bits ,Cheez Its and Chicken in a Basket for bait so far. No Luck :P :P :P
I am guessing I just have not found the right spot yet. 24 hour soaks and not a sign of a shiner. Well... Sebago Bait here I come. lol..
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I tried trapping bait for the first time this year, I only got a few. Could be where I went, or...
When I was talking to an older fisherman last week though, he asked me if my trap was black - and it is. He said silver traps catch more bait.
He could be spinning a yarn, but I plan on putting it to the test next year.
Michele
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Silver traps work much better and I've noticed that as soon as it gets consistently cold and there's a lot of ice I just don't catch nearly as many shiners, a few dozen a day.
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0 for 4 on my trap so far in the Westbrook area. A couple of quick questions. Do you guys suspend your traps? I have tried Purina,Kibbles and Bits ,Cheez Its and Chicken in a Basket for bait so far. No Luck :P :P :P
I am guessing I just have not found the right spot yet. 24 hour soaks and not a sign of a shiner. Well... Sebago Bait here I come. lol..
yes, suspending your traps makes a big difference as far as shiners go. try adding in a ball of aluminum foil or some styrofoam. works for me.
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I tried trapping bait for the first time this year, I only got a few. Could be where I went, or...
When I was talking to an older fisherman last week though, he asked me if my trap was black - and it is. He said silver traps catch more bait.
He could be spinning a yarn, but I plan on putting it to the test next year.
Michele
I have painted the black ones with silver paint and still have black ones as well, were I trap it doesn't matter, its more of a location thing...I find that the closer to shore near the weeds is the best for me. The farther I get from the shore and weeds the less bait I get but bigger bait. I'm not sold on the color of the trap theory
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0 for 4 on my trap so far in the Westbrook area. A couple of quick questions. Do you guys suspend your traps? I have tried Purina,Kibbles and Bits ,Cheez Its and Chicken in a Basket for bait so far. No Luck :P :P :P
I am guessing I just have not found the right spot yet. 24 hour soaks and not a sign of a shiner. Well... Sebago Bait here I come. lol..
I suspend my traps only in beaver flowages or murky waters, Lakes and ponds go right on the bottom . Dog food and bread work best for me and pieces of styrofoam.
Also move around and spread the traps out.. I use 12 traps and I can cover some ground. :)
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I heard the same thing about black traps. I'm trying for tommy cods right now, but so far no luck.
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I haven't trapped much this year, but I use silver traps. Only problem is much more visable, but if you not 3 feet off the road should be good.
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Tom Cods are in the brooks in September. I can get a few now but they move in to spawn in Sept.
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I got a few yesterday. Gotta go see if I can still find my trap soon.
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Scored a new bait tank, now I have another setup if needed. This baby will hold some fish
(http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii213/coach04222/Hunting005_zps800cacb7.jpg)
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did you get that from beans coach? when i worked in the warehouse, i was always eyeing those and thought they'd make a great tank.
if so, how'd you get one from em?
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There was probably a post about this somewhere along the way. What does everyone use to catch suckers? We use a homemade barrel trap, similar to what you use for shiners just bigger. It works but numbers are low. Anyway to pickup more?
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There was probably a post about this somewhere along the way. What does everyone use to catch suckers? We use a homemade barrel trap, similar to what you use for shiners just bigger. It works but numbers are low. Anyway to pickup more?
I made this homemade trap its 48 '' x 20'' square. I made two and they work really well for suckers.
(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff452/sadchandler/trapping%20bait/IMG_0739.jpg)
(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff452/sadchandler/trapping%20bait/IMG_0740.jpg)
(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff452/sadchandler/trapping%20bait/Suckerhaultrapping003.jpg)
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Thanks Eric. We haven't even started trapping yet. But will have to try building one of these and see if there is a difference
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Thanks Eric. We haven't even started trapping yet. But will have to try building one of these and see if there is a difference
Yup 1/2 inch conduit and a vice and about 12 ft of hardware cloth 3 ' .. improved my catch to about 80%.. ;D
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Thats good, I would go from 2-3 fish a week to one week will give us all we need. Gonna shy away from the big tackle and suckers and keep running the big shiners.
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did you get that from beans coach? when i worked in the warehouse, i was always eyeing those and thought they'd make a great tank.
if so, how'd you get one from em?
Yes, they purchased some new ones and these have some damage to them (holes mostly). I will see if I can get another that is in descent shape.
What area did you work. I do the catalog distribution for the company.
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The same pond I was pulling 100 per trap each day has shut off 4 traps 3 day soak and 4 shiners. Anyone know why?
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Around where I live as soon as there's solid white ice, and it's been real cold for over a week or so I have the same issue, some guys say when the water gets really really cold they go down into the mud, or maybe they just don't feed nearly as much, just what other people have told me and my experience.
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Good haul right there. I've always had trouble keeping chubs though.
You know there is a pill that you can take for that...
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I wish we could trap our own bait and use it later on in New York. It seems pretty fun and you guys seem to have made quite the hobby out of it!
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Yes, they purchased some new ones and these have some damage to them (holes mostly). I will see if I can get another that is in descent shape.
What area did you work. I do the catalog distribution for the company.
I worked low bay stock the past 2 years there. couldnt get back in time from my summer job to pick it up again this peak season. gave a good little boost in income during the holiday season. oh well. maybe ill go back next year. Ive got a couple friends working over there right now.
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I worked low bay stocking this season for awhile I got done and went back lobstering I didn't like stocking it was so boring
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Anyone on here trap bait in the South Portland/Greater Portland area? I am fairly new to the world of baiting but I am desperate for some advice and bait. I'm eager to go fish but it's tough with the bait shops not having any and my inability to trap some. I have been setting traps in different small ponds around South Portland and Scarborough at different water levels. I have used bread, dog food, and styrofoam all with no luck. I usually let them sit for 24 hrs. and then move spots. Can anyone try to point me in the right direction? Will trade tips for tips! Good luck to all.
Thanks, DJ
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Let them soak for a little while longer, and try keeping them on bottom. If you can see where a tree has fallen in the water set up next to it..... gravy train dog food is what we use and have good luck. just my .02
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Let them soak for a little while longer, and try keeping them on bottom. If you can see where a tree has fallen in the water set up next to it..... gravy train dog food is what we use and have good luck. just my .02
Thanks for the info. Right now the trap is in about 3-4 feet of water right on the bottom. The pond doesn't get much deeper and surrounded by cattails. I'll keep it in there for a few days maybe move it around the pond a little. I'm just getting too antsy!
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Yeah we normally let ours soak for 2-3 days before we go pull it for the first time. If you are around cattails maybe try one next to them and one out in the middle right on bottom.... We caught bait in a beaver bog that wasn't much bigger than 20x20 last year
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...and if you are using a black trap throw it away, the silver ones work BEST.
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...and if you are using a black trap throw it away, the silver ones work BEST.
How this is an opinion there is no scientific evidence to state this as a fact but it may be plausible, Black traps will still work
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...and if you are using a black trap throw it away, the silver ones work BEST.
I'm using silver ones. I haven't heard too much good stuff about the black ones. I'm going to try a bunch of different locations on this pond. Unfortunately I never tried trapping it before so I'm not sure if there is anything in it but it looks good
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I pulled all my bait with black traps and got over 30 dozen some days.
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Well, I am now an official bait trapper! I went and checked my trap today and after a lot of trial and error I finally caught a batch! I believe they are dace, most of them are pretty small but I am sure there has to be some bigger ones. I reset the trap and will check it again. Thanks for all the info guys, your info definitely steered me in the right direction.
(http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b639/conley1993/24bd1c24-c6fd-419e-b57c-da84be9b2de1_zps1fd0dea6.jpg) (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/conley1993/media/24bd1c24-c6fd-419e-b57c-da84be9b2de1_zps1fd0dea6.jpg.html)
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All it takes is a little determination. Took me a while to find an area that produced. Trial and error will teach you a lot. Good luck
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Well, I am now an official bait trapper! I went and checked my trap today and after a lot of trial and error I finally caught a batch! I believe they are dace, most of them are pretty small but I am sure there has to be some bigger ones. I reset the trap and will check it again. Thanks for all the info guys, your info definitely steered me in the right direction.
(http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b639/conley1993/24bd1c24-c6fd-419e-b57c-da84be9b2de1_zps1fd0dea6.jpg) (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/conley1993/media/24bd1c24-c6fd-419e-b57c-da84be9b2de1_zps1fd0dea6.jpg.html)
Nice work! Wait till you get 10 dozen a pull than you will be jumping for joy.. ;D
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The excitement got the best of me today. After I caught my bait I ran out to a nearby class "D" pond and tried my luck. Needless to say the bait worked well for me! I ended up catching 4 brookies in about 2-3 hours. They were all tank scrubbers but still a fun afternoon on the slushy hardwater. Goodluck everyone and be safe with these warmer conditions!
(http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b639/conley1993/0aeef94d-e641-4068-bc47-52491b547cd8_zpsa13cef5e.jpg) (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/conley1993/media/0aeef94d-e641-4068-bc47-52491b547cd8_zpsa13cef5e.jpg.html)
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I am thinking about trapping my own bait this year. Is there anything I should do besides cut a hole in the ice and drop a baited trap down? this particular pond is closed to ice fishing, but has a ton of shinners! thanks for any help.
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Has anyone ever run into this problem, and if not, what would you do? I have been trapping a pond for about a week now and haven't caught a ton of bait but I have caught more than enough to allow me to go fishing whenever I want without having to buy bait. I am catching a few Mummichog each time I check my traps and about 3-4 dozen sticklefish (which I throw back after each haul) every time I check my traps. Is there any way to better target the Mummichog and avoid the sticklefish? I have had one haul where I got about 2 dozen Mummichog but the rest of them usually have 1-5. There is a small inlet on one side of the pond, should I go there?
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Has anyone ever run into this problem, and if not, what would you do? I have been trapping a pond for about a week now and haven't caught a ton of bait but I have caught more than enough to allow me to go fishing whenever I want without having to buy bait. I am catching a few Mummichog each time I check my traps and about 3-4 dozen sticklefish (which I throw back after each haul) every time I check my traps. Is there any way to better target the Mummichog and avoid the sticklefish? I have had one haul where I got about 2 dozen Mummichog but the rest of them usually have 1-5. There is a small inlet on one side of the pond, should I go there?
I think Mummies like more less turbulent water so I would go further away. I would trap about 3-5 feet from a good weed bed
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Mummies like the sun, especially this time of year. Tidal creeks with pools tend to concentrate them at lower tides. Bait with crushed mussels or oily fish like herring . Hope this helps
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hey im catching small and med shinners and 1-2 large. is there a way to catch more large and less small or is it just a crap shoot. boy It sound's dumb but have to ask. anyone in the Waterboro area would like to share a spot with large bait PM me ;D
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hey im catching small and med shinners and 1-2 large. is there a way to catch more large and less small or is it just a crap shoot. boy It sound's dumb but have to ask. anyone in the Waterboro area would like to share a spot with large bait PM me ;D
Try a bigger trap, we had those store bought ones and did ok, threw in a homemade one right beside it to up our catch and went from maybe a dozen in the small trap to 3-4 dozen in the big one with a greater number of large and jumbo shiners. Got a lot of junk stuff too, but it was also a pretty small pond.
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Try a bigger trap, we had those store bought ones and did ok, threw in a homemade one right beside it to up our catch and went from maybe a dozen in the small trap to 3-4 dozen in the big one with a greater number of large and jumbo shiners. Got a lot of junk stuff too, but it was also a pretty small pond.
I built a 18x8x8 trap
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Ours at the time was three feet long and we used 14" wreath rings on the ends. It's still kicking around somewhere, haven't trapped bait in a while, but you've probably tried various depths, maybe change up the bait or add something to it to draw in more fish and let the numbers stack up and hope for the best. Maybe someone out there would trade you a bunch of big shiners for a pile of mediums or something.
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true a trade would be good ;D
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Been trapping bait for several years now and always trap the same flows. Weird thing happened this year. 1 not a lot of bait coming to the traps which has not previosuly been the case. Not sure why, but same honey holes producing maybe 1-2 dozen. I have not hit it too hard they were there all summer. Lastly and the most odd is 3 times I have gone to pull traps and every one of them is dead. This is after 48 hours maximum in 2-3 feet of water. Any thoughts
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Been trapping bait for several years now and always trap the same flows. Weird thing happened this year. 1 not a lot of bait coming to the traps which has not previosuly been the case. Not sure why, but same honey holes producing maybe 1-2 dozen. I have not hit it too hard they were there all summer. Lastly and the most odd is 3 times I have gone to pull traps and every one of them is dead. This is after 48 hours maximum in 2-3 feet of water. Any thoughts
I have had the same issue here !!! Couldn't figure it out as the small hornpout would still be kickin ans all the shiners dead .Pulled my traps as not worth my time and effort pulling up dead bait !!!!!!!!!
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Was wondering if this has happened to anyone. Went to check my trap after fishing today, hadn't checked it since Thursday. There wasn't much ice on the hole. chiseled it out went to pull it and only had half come out? I went and got a hook and found it ended up taking off all of my clothes and getting it shoulder deep.
So do you think that I just did not latch it good(been trapping for 2 years now) or is someone sending me a message? I am not real sure, with the fresh snow there were no tracks??? I reset the trap and tried again.
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Was wondering if this has happened to anyone. Went to check my trap after fishing today, hadn't checked it since Thursday. There wasn't much ice on the hole. chiseled it out went to pull it and only had half come out? I went and got a hook and found it ended up taking off all of my clothes and getting it shoulder deep.
If you haven't checked it since thursday and there wasn't much ice I'd be wary that sounds like someone chipped out the hole before you got there. Some places they are more likely to squish your trap or just take it rather than take the bait and drop half of it down. You may want to mark the hole and put a big ring on the trap so you can use a pole with a hook on it to pull it up instead of tying it off.
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That was my feeling to so I pulled them to another place. Been a tough year for bait. I guess I got lazy and did not scout around as much as I should have
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the black ones can come apart if the tabs aren't bent enough.
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Been trapping bait for several years now and always trap the same flows. Weird thing happened this year. 1 not a lot of bait coming to the traps which has not previosuly been the case. Not sure why, but same honey holes producing maybe 1-2 dozen. I have not hit it too hard they were there all summer. Lastly and the most odd is 3 times I have gone to pull traps and every one of them is dead. This is after 48 hours maximum in 2-3 feet of water. Any thoughts
Its fairly common this time of year for all the bait to die in the traps I had to pull mine a couple of weeks ago due to all the bait dying not enough oxygen in the water. Try checking them daily might help even the suckers were dying in my traps.. :' :(
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Its fairly common this time of year for all the bait to die in the traps I had to pull mine a couple of weeks ago due to all the bait dying not enough oxygen in the water. Try checking them daily might help even the suckers were dying in my traps.. :' :(
Thanks for the replies, Air plane - I have never had a problem with them dying in the traps, the beaver bog I am in has moving water. It is also 20 miles away so I cant check it daily. When I lived 2 miles away it wasn't such a big deal. I moved last year and haven't been able to get permission closer to home.
Anyone know where I can trap in Eliot that would be great ;D
For now I am going with, I did not have it together very well. If I show up and it is apart again I will just pull it.
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Catching bait has not been good for me lately. The last couple weeks I have been managing to trap 2-3 Mummichog for every 1-2 day soak. A few days ago I finally pulled my traps and threw them in the basement. Today I decided to go set them again at a different location at different depths and locations on the pond. I was so eager to go check them so I checked them after a 4 hour soak and I finally trapped my first batch of Shiners! Needless to say I am super excited to have finally found a pond that produces nice Shiners in abundance! The traps are still soaking and I will be checking them after a day of ice fishing tomorrow. Hopefully I will have more than a dozen this time!
(http://i1295.photobucket.com/albums/b639/conley1993/6cea020c-c34f-4ebd-afe3-a9d077aee448_zpsfd5406a6.jpg) (http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/conley1993/media/6cea020c-c34f-4ebd-afe3-a9d077aee448_zpsfd5406a6.jpg.html)
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never trapped bait before, me and my buddy have a couple small shiner traps and wanna give it a whirl for fun, looking for any advice of places to try around durham pownal area, trap depths and what to put in the trap for bait??or any info anyone has would be appreciated. thank you
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Can't help with your post, Just wanted to welcome you to the site
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First off, welcome to the site! Second, there have been MANY posts about trapping bait that will take hours to read if you use the search box and type "bait trapping" or something of the like...
BUT, to answer your questions directly with my experience, right on the bottom in water a couple of feet deep has always done well for me. Dog/Cat food in the trap seems to work just fine, but there are many things that can be thrown in to get the bait fish attracted. Best of luck!
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Thanks very much for the welcoming.. and I found a ton of trapping info but so much I was a little confused on where to read first lol
theres a couple of decent brooks and a few small ponds I was thinking of trying to see what happens
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Welcome to Iceshanty
I merged your topic with the ongoing topic, a lot of info here...
It will be tough to find someone to give up there spots for trapping bait, but if you do some reading, you'll see HOW others do it and then you'll have to do some trial and error in places by you.
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thanks alot, ill do some reading and get an idea where to start
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Is anyone still trapping? I am done but I have a friend who is still trapping and he hasn't trapped anything for a couple of weeks. When I was still trapping there I was getting 5 or 6 dozen every couple days. I doubt that we have trapped it out. Right now he has 4 traps and isn't getting any bait at all. I am guessing that it is the time of the year. Any ideas would be great. Thanks
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Ive been doing better than ever hauled 150 in a 6 hour soak put the traps back in and pulled over 500 the next afternoon, should hold me over until March.
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Ive been doing better than ever hauled 150 in a 6 hour soak put the traps back in and pulled over 500 the next afternoon, should hold me over until March.
That's crazy! Time to buy a bait dealers license and start making some money on the side. What do you have for a setup to keep them all alive?
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A bunch of 35 gallon rubbermaid totes with a bubbler and a filter in each one, Ive got a few dozen suckers and smelts on hand as well.
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Lot of our small ponds slow up when the snowice covers everything Cold weather also slows up the flow tru small ponds ,This condition drops the oxygen content in the ponds and fish get very sluggish . probably a stream or flowage with more current would have better oxygen count. And more active bait.
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Is anyone still trapping? I am done but I have a friend who is still trapping and he hasn't trapped anything for a couple of weeks. When I was still trapping there I was getting 5 or 6 dozen every couple days. I doubt that we have trapped it out. Right now he has 4 traps and isn't getting any bait at all. I am guessing that it is the time of the year. Any ideas would be great. Thanks
I agree with woodchip, 'my' pond goes anaerobic (lo O2) once there is a good snow cover, the water even smells dead (like swamp gas). I have to find areas nearer the inlet, but not too close. I suppose it's due to the relationship of fresh, oxygenated water vs. bacteria/food levels. My late season catches are very sporadic and counts are much lower (3-5 dozen early season, to 1/2 - 1 dozen late). Try moving around, look for green weed edges closer to fresh incoming water
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I agree with woodchip, 'my' pond goes anaerobic (lo O2) once there is a good snow cover, the water even smells dead (like swamp gas). I have to find areas nearer the inlet, but not too close. I suppose it's due to the relationship of fresh, oxygenated water vs. bacteria/food levels. My late season catches are very sporadic and counts are much lower (3-5 dozen early season, to 1/2 - 1 dozen late). Try moving around, look for green weed edges closer to fresh incoming water
Thanks for the info, We are far from the inlet, makes sense.
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I've run into a problem and can't seem to figure out the answer so I'm hoping someone on here can steer me in the right direction. I came home to Southern Maine from college during Christmas break and I found an awesome small pond to trap a ton of shiners. I was catching them daily from the time I found the pond until the time I left to go back to college. Now it is February break and I came back to trap the same pond (1 month later) and I can't catch even one shiner. I have tried a few different spots on the pond and different depths and can't catch any. I'm using silver traps with bread and styrofoam, the same thing I was catching them with before. Has this happened to anyone else and is there something I am doing wrong for this time of the year?
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I've run into a problem and can't seem to figure out the answer so I'm hoping someone on here can steer me in the right direction. I came home to Southern Maine from college during Christmas break and I found an awesome small pond to trap a ton of shiners. I was catching them daily from the time I found the pond until the time I left to go back to college. Now it is February break and I came back to trap the same pond (1 month later) and I can't catch even one shiner. I have tried a few different spots on the pond and different depths and can't catch any. I'm using silver traps with bread and styrofoam, the same thing I was catching them with before. Has this happened to anyone else and is there something I am doing wrong for this time of the year?
Try suspending your traps and putting some right under the ice, I bet saturday you will catch a ton I always do best during warm STORM FREE weather.
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Heading to Moosehead tomorrow, I will give that a try next time.
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Thats a big 10-4. goodluck.