Hooking minnows ?????

[BigGuy]

Hi folks,

When fishing from SHORE using a live minnow under a float, how do you keep the minnow from tearing off your hook when you cast ? I usually hook the minnow just behind the dorsal fin. I usually use 3" minnows for walleye/bass and when I fish for pike, I use 6" sucker/chub. ( I lose about 1/3 of my bait when casting )

Can anyone offer me some advice for my problem, such as hook sizes for baits, special rigs for pike fishing etc...etc.

Your help is much appreciated.

Regards,

BigGuy

 

[balapickerel]

there are infinate ways to hook minnows but the way i do it is to hook the in the top lip and then tie a string or wire to the eye of the hook and run it though the gil of the fish and back to the eye of the hook(wire works best because if you loose you minnow to a fish you can just unbend the wire, hook another minnow and thread the wire through the gil again) i also soak my minnows in a little mix for when i'm fishing walleye, it drives them nuts

 

[Porter86]

that was a very good question big guy. i always had that problem as well.

and thats intresting bala. ill have to remember that.

 

[frozenfire]

keep this in mind.
it's not how you hook the minnow, it's how you cast.

try a more finesse way of casting and you'll keep your minnows on the hook 100% of the time. Don't just whip it as hard as you can to get your cast further.
I hook my minnows through the lip... does teh least damage and the minnow lasts a lot longer.

 

[balapickerel]

yeahh sometimes if you have a very lively minnow it can carrie your line out for you, and this can sometimes attract this fish better

 

[Porter86]

sweet, thanks i will have to remember this for when im fishing with minnows.

 

[balapickerel]

should i post the ingredients for this mix, it's really easy to make

 

[ec1]

never really had this problem. I usually only hook through the bottom jaw to the top of the head.
Frozenfire is right about casting without whipping it.

Oh well, I've only used minnows about 3 - 5 times last season. They're just not my thing when its cold, having to put your hands in cold water and then letting the wind chill your hands.

 

[YAWN]

"usually hook the minnow just behind the dorsal fin" u might as well be using a dead minnow if your gunna rig it like that.

Always I mean always hook a minnow via the upper lip, do not go through the skull.

When a fish eats a minnow it's head first, it will turn the minnow in its mouth but regardless it's swallowed head first.

Be having the hook at the front/mounth of the minnow u have a better hook up, more life in the minnow and this problem about casting no longer exists. "within reason obvioulsy, u cant whip the bugger like u would a spoon"

 

[balapickerel]

with fish like pike and muskie, they will often grab the minnow then make a quick run and then turn it and swallow it, hook the fish after it's done swimming away or you might just end up with half a minnow on tour hook and no fish

 

[balapickerel]

here is the recipe for the stuff i soak minnows in when fishing for walleye

1 tbsp garlic powder
1tsp ground parsley
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp salt

mix it together and soak the minnow in it for one minute before using it, this works best with live minnows although it does make them a bit sluggish

enjoy, hope this helps you catch some fish