Ever Use A Bream For Bait To Catch A Big One?

[jmed999]

A buddy of mine suggested I use bream as bait in an effort to catch some larger fish.

-Do any of you do this?

-Do you have any tips if so? ie. where to hook the bream, what size bream, etc.

Thanks!

[catch anything]

i do sometimes i like to use a 2/0 or 3/0 through the nose. I use any where from 1in up to 5in hope this helps

[rboat]

It can work. Just be sure to check your states fishing regulations closely first. In many states it is illegal to use a gamefish as bait to catch another gamefish. Bream are considered gamefish so just an FYI.

[dude loves to fish]

yes it works but like rboat said, it is illegal to use game fish as bait.

[Raul]

Ever Use A Bream For Bait To Catch A Big One ?

No.

[Packard]

You can use them in most states if there is no size limit on them. But to answer your question, no.

[grimlin]

You can use them in most states if there is no size limit on them. But to answer your question, no.

That's not true either...Michigan has no size limit and it's illegal to do it also.

[Goose52]

It's state by state - probably different regs all over. It's legal here in Tennessee to use a gamefish as bait but you must legally harvest the gamefish and any creel and length limits still apply.

It was also legal in Florida when I was growing up there (probably still is). In fact, here's how my Dad introduced me to bass fishing. First, he taught me how to catch "brim" on a little cane pole (I'm about 6 years old at the time). So, he says "go catch me a brim." I catch a little brim and bring it to him. Then he says "now I'm gonna teach you how to catch a bass." He puts a hook throught the back of the brim and tosses it out under a float. He would do this when he wanted to take a break from casting artificials or sometimes he would have it as a second rod in the water. He'd use brim 'cause shiners were pretty expensive and he usually wouldn't pop for them.

Anyway, you can freeline them (hooked through mouth or tail) but in Florida it was common to hook them through the back and suspend them under a float. As for size - it depends on how big you think your bass are. As mentioned above - 1 to 5 inches is probably a pretty good range.

Do I use brim as bait now - nope - last time I did was in the mid-60s in South Florida. Nothing wrong with it, I just prefer to fish with articials nowadays.

[Sam]

Yes - for catfish, only.

Never for bass.

[bigbassctchr101]

Same for me as Goose said. We used to shiner fish under a balloon in Florida and when we would run out of shiners we would catch bluegill and start using them. Usually worked just as good. I've caught several up here in Tennessee doing this too. Usually in farm ponds. You'd be very suprised how small of a bass will eat, not such a small bluegill. I've caught several 5+ on it, but i've also caught fish that may not have hit 2lbs. I usually hook them in the back side on either side of the dorsal fin (I used to do this alot when I would catfish with bluegill) When rockfishing I would go between the eyes or thru the lips. Bass just depends on how long I am wanting to fish. I rarely do it anymore, because I fish so many tournaments now.

[catch anything]

last time i used them i was trying to catch a turtle out of the pond i fish at. and ended up catching a 3lb bass

[Packard]

That's not true either...Michigan has no size limit and it's illegal to do it also.

Your wrong, you can in Michigan.

[Bassn Blvd]

Yes, I have and Yes, I still do. Bass love bream. Bass love other bass better, but that woud definately be illegal here in Florida.

[hatrix]

I use little BG or RES sometimes when I want to be lazy. I try to catch ones about maybe the width of your hand and re hook them deep and out the side of the mouth. I use to hook them in the back or tail but I think it kinda kills them faster and they loose energy quicker. You can kinda tell when its about to go down cause they try to make a mad dash for it then the float goes under and stays under. I give it like a slow 5 count before I set the hook. I have caught lots of nice cat fish that way.

[North Ga Hillbilly]

Folks will act like its a mortal sin to do so, but I have and don't see a thing wrong with it. I mainly do so for catfish, but a bass will jump on em from time to time.

NGaHB

[tyrius.]

They definately work. I was fishing with my kids and they like to catch whatever bites so we were small bluegill fishing. We hooked one and a bass came in and nailed it! It was awesome to see. Couldn't catch the bass cause the gill had the hook in it's mouth, but the bass killed the gill.

[jmed999]

I'll check the laws and may try it.

-How do you fish for catfish using bream? With bass I assume you hook it and add a float and let it swim around. With catfish do you let it swim around or kill it and bottom fish with the whole dead bream?

[Gavin]

If you have flathead catfish in your area...use a live bluegill. Channels & Blues seem to like cut bait better.

[philsoreel]

The Largemouth from Japan that tied George Perry's world record catch was caught on a 4" bluegill.

[Talmadge]

i caught my 2nd biggest catfish using a bream hooked him though the back close to the tail and let it sit for a while and bam! almost lost my pole and the fight was on brought up a 30 pound cat it was one ugly mo'fo

[MetalMan]

It's legal in Tennessee to use bream for bait. They are hands down the best flathead catfish bait there is!

[Bankbeater]

We use them for catching cat. Cut them up into 3rds and leave the guts in. Make sure that you check the local and state laws where you will be fishing.

[mikeeasttn]

Bream are used as bait for stripers on my home lake. I think the shad are better bait but the bream are easier to catch especially if you have trouble using a casting net. Most hook the bream thru the back under the dorsal fin especially if they are jug fishing.