Watching the Minnows

[Gusher]

I've got a buddy who's got a minnow tank in his garage.  And he was telling me that if the minnows are swimming quite a bit rather than just laying there that the fish in the big lake are going to be more active also.  He swears by this.  Anyone else out there hear about this?  Or is it just some kind of wives tale.

[bigredonice]

well, i do know that on days when wildlife is active, the fish will be too....like seeing alot of deer on the way to your spot in the morning - thats when you know the fish are going to be HOT!!!

[hali-man]

Never heard of it, but it is an interesting theory. Maybe something to do with lunar cycles???

[nocash0000]

I would say not, i have an aqua-vu and watch the big one's stroll right on by my shiner's.

[riverbottoms]

If watching minnow activity, and seeing a lot of wildlife is or could be a indicator, could watching the feeding activity of your bird feeder over a perid of time give you major and minor feeding times?
Just a thought?

[Mr.Seaguar]

nocash- the fish swimming by may be a product of the fish knowing what a shiner with a hook in it means. If you sneak up by the minnows and peak in usually they are just sitting there, so I dont know about corresponding levels of activity. But I have noticed lots of wildlife on certain days and had good fishing those days. But it may be that wild animals like to get out on Saturday also. So, its worth going fishing to try your theory.

[walliceman]

Well... Not exactly minnows... but my friend has a big tank, and in that tank he is raising 2 walleye, they are about 8 inches a piece, and he says that sometimes when he puts in there food (small goldfish type minnows and small shiners) they won't even come out, this tell him that fishing that day will be bad. He says it has never failed him yet.


-Evan

[swalleyi]

I guess i would go along with that, to a certain extent.

[broken rod]

i think im going fishing no matter what my minnows are doing

[billditrite]

YEAH IF THEY WERE SMART MINNOWS AND COULD FIGURE OUT TO JUST BE STILL YOU MIGHT NEVER FISH AGAIN!I TOO HAVE A BAIT TANK IN MY GARAGE I WILL LET YOU KNOW NEXT TIME OUT

[Pop]

I have always watched the cattle, summer or winter.  If they are up moving arond and feeding it seems like there is more activity fishing.  I would never let a sleeping cow keep me from fishing, I go anytime I can get away.

Pop

[grumpymoe]

i watch my minnows all the time. (once they're on the hook)   when they start swimming like crazy, i get ready to set the hook. when they slow down or stop, i have a bite to eat. grumpymoe