The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1917-08-03
LIVE BAIT-THE MINNOW.


My dear Buck:
For an all round live bait that has
the reputation of bringing home the
bacon, most any time during the open
season, give us the minnow family,
which, by the way, is large tribe.
Some fishermen call any small fish
minnow, which Is wrong, as the minnow
| family Is a distinct line made up sof
over one hundred different species and
most small streams and lakes have
from ten to thirty species in their wa
| tiers. You will find the minnow in all
sorts of places, the specialized sinner
mainly in the lakes, fallfish In the
large streams and club in the smaller
streams. The minnows taken from the
rapid flowing waters and rifles make
the sturdiest bait and at the same
time the liveliest as their constant
fight with the swift current gives them
more "pep" than the minnOw from
the gravel-bars or the deeper, quieter
pools.
Try Out Different Minnows.
In most all fishing waters some par
ticular minnow has the reputation Of
being the one best bet and it is well
to follow the dope of the local fisher
men or guides, at the same time the
trying out of another specie may mean
better fishing all the way around.
For muskellunge, pike or pickerel
the larger sized minnows, say about
eight to ten inches, are the best bait
and it's toss-up between the fall
fish, creek or river club, silver sinner,
or black sucker. All of these bats are
fine lures for casting or trolling.
For black bass the silver sinner or
dace seems to be the minnOw that
tickles his fancy and its silvery sides
make q great shining invitation under
water. 1t is good bait for any time
or condition Of water and is particu-
larly fine on dark and cloudy days or
in rough water. River or creek clubs
are hardy minnows with a tough
mouth that holds well on the hook
and the fact that they are more lively
than the sinner, makes them attrac-
tive bait to most fishermen. On bright
days with clear and still water the
club is second to none as a fish getter.
Catfish and Perch as Bait.
The small catfish called by some,
the stonecat, mad-tom, bullhead or
pout is bait that will surprise the
| bass fisherman who has never used it.
Early and late in the season, young
yellow perch can be used to advantage
| in lake fishing, however, to get the best
results from the perch bait, the dorsal
fin should be clipped off. This opera
ton does not impair the vitality Of the
young perch, If done quickly with a
scissors, or a sharp knife.
For bass or wall-eyed pike a min
now four to FIVE inches long is about
the right size. This sized minnow Is
livelier and will last much longer on
the hook than the smaller ones. Even
a small bass, half FOUNDER, will make
a drive for this sized bait, while 1t is
sure the happy medium for the old
granddaddy who has a mans sized
| feed bag to fill. AS a general thing
the large sized bass like good mouth
full and there is not much chance Of
using a minnow they cannot handle.
How to Hook the Minnow.
In batting the hook with the min
now, pass the hook through the lower
| lip and out the nostril or If the min
now is of large size, run the hook
through both lips. For still fishing
where the water Is quiet hook the
minnow, If small, through the back,
above the backbone and just behind
the dorsal fin. Clubs and suckers can
be hooked through both lips which
are very strong on these species.
With the proper care minnows can
be kept In good shape for an indefinite
period. In camp permanent min
now box should be sunk In the water
along the shore Of the stream or lake,
and the bottom of the box filed with
| gravel and stones. Wire screen over
both ends gives a steady change of
water. Always dip the minnows into
the minnow bucket with a small dip
net land don't handle them. Leave
that until you place them on the hook.
1t Is best to use large sized minnow
bucket and If there is to be much of
a carry, put bunch of water weeds
In the pail, this saves them from in
jury caused by rough travel. In car
rying minnows any distance don't
crowd 'em, fifty to a five-gallon pail
is plenty. A pinch of salt added to
the water once or twice during the
days fishing gives 'em life. Change
the water often, don't wait until the
minnows come to the top, that's about
the time they are ready to turn belly
up. A mighty good plan rs to tote
along a small bicycle pump and aerate
the water every now and then by
pumping air down into It. A good plan
to follow In changing the water In
the minnow pail is to pour 1t in from
height Of say two or three feet, that
carries air into the water and the
minnow sure needs air as well as a