BLUEBACK Herring (Alosa aestivalis)
As stated above, the Blueback Herring are very similar in appearance to Alewife and most people are unable to distinguish differences between the two. Their range pretty much overlaps the Alewife and the habits of both are similar. Landlocked Blue Backs grow larger with specimens of 8-10” common. Catching Blue Backs for bait works much the same as with Alewives. Both of these baitfish are photosensitive usually staying deep during daylight. They can be netted at sunrise in the back of coves with flowing creeks. Alternatively, they can be caught with Sabiki rigs or plain gold hooks in deep water.
Blueback Herring and Fishing
Blueback herring are a favorite food of bass where they live in the same waters. They are a saltwater fish that can live in freshwater and have become established in many freshwater lakes.
- Blueback Herring Description - Blueback herring and alewife are very similar. They are flat sided fish with rounded bellies and forked tails. Both are silvery with dark blue or bronze backs and have small spiny scales along their belly. The TWRA have made a great comparison chart to try and tell them apart.
- Blueback Herring Size - Their average size is 4-6 inches, but they do reach a length of approximately 16 inches (40 cm) and weight of 7 ounces (200 g.) Maximum age is about eight years.
- Blueback Herring Distribution - From Nova Scotia to northern Florida and inland rivers and lakes.
- What Blueback Herring Eat - Microscopic plants and animals (plankton), small insects, small fish and eggs of fish (including largemouth)
- Blueback Herring Spawn - In fresh or brackish water by depositing eggs that stick to hard objects like gravel, rocks, plants and wood, and as many already know, your boat transom and outboard motor.
- In lakes they like hard botoms composed of clay or gravel where wind and wave action keep silt clear. They will spawn on riprap, seawalls and pilings, too.
- Blueback Herring Attraction to Light - Blueback herring seem to come to the surface when the sun is shining and go deep on darker days. For that reason the topwater bite is better on sunny days and largemouth and spotted bass tend to feed better when the sun is shining.
- Blueback Herring Life Cycle - In saltwater adult blueback herring swim to fresh or brackish water to spawn. They spawn in water above 70 degrees, so lake herring spawn when the water reaches about 70 degrees. Many adults die after the spawn but a few survive to return to the sea. The larval herring live for a few months in spawning areas then move back to the sea. In freshwater herring are more likely to survive the spawn. Female herring are fully mature at five years old and produce 60,000 tp 100,000 eggs. Males are smaller and mature at three to five years of age.
- Blueback Herring Problems In Freshwater Lakes - Since blueback herring eat fish eggs and fry as well as the food that game fish fry eat, they are director predators and competitors with them. Because of this they ahve caused problems with largemouth populations in Lake Burton and Nottely in Georgia and walleye populations in Lake Hiwassee in North Carolina. All state Departments of Natural Resources work to limit their spread in freshwater lakes and it is illegal to use them as live bait in lakes where they don't already exist and it is always illegal to stock them.
Blueback herring are a mixed blessing in lakes and the long term effects might be very bad. Follow your state's rules about stocking any species in any lake. The biologists know more about this than we fishermen do. Rember that they are illegal in Tennessee and in Alabama, just to name a few areas.
SILVERSIDE (GHOST) Minnow
Silverside or Ghost Minnows are prime striper bait on Lakes West of the Mississippi. They are usually threaded several to a hook and fished on sand bottoms.Obtaining Ghost Minnows requires seining in most instances. Sandy beaches and boat ramps are favored seining spots. The bait ranges up to 6” in length and is usually not fished live. They make up an important part of a stripers diet as well as being white bass candy.
Bluegills are a member of the sunfish family. They are easy to cast net, or they can be caught
Fly rods, spinning gear, or cane poles. Early spring or Late fall are usually the best times to use them for bait
Gizzard shad have probably accounted for more striped bass than any other live bait in freshwater. They are usually easy to obtain on most lakes and are widespread across the United States. They are commonly found in the backs of muddy coves in water less than 6’ deep. Cast net the bait using a 7’ –3/8 mesh net. Look for dimpling of the lake surface to locate this schooling bait. Ideal size for bait are shad from 6 to 12” with gizzard shad capable of reaching weights of 4lbs. Striped Bass were stocked in inland lakes as a control for these prolific members of the Herring family.
Threadfin shad are usually found in the same ranges as the gizzard shad. They are not quite as hardy as the Gizzard. Like Gizzards, they are an important part of the forage base. Employ the same methods for locating and catching them as you would gizzards. Usual bait sizes are from 4 to 10”. Also called a yellowtail.
All Herring are PREDATORY; this includes gizzard and threadfin shad. Stocking any member of the Herring family should be carefully considered. They can adversely affect some fish populations! There are stiff fines in many states for importing or transporting some baitfish, make sure you check the state regulations !
Mooneyes are another predatory herring found in most drainage to the Mississippi. They are found from Sluggish streams to fast moving water. They can be caught on small spinners, flies, spoons, or earthworms fished on a small hook. Usually olive green on back with silversides. Striper fishermen have been known to go to GREAT lengths to obtain this seldom seen bait. Large specimens can weigh up to 3lbs. Ideal bait sizes are from 8 to 16”. They can be cast netted but it requires a 10-foot ½ “ mesh FAST sinking net. This is perhaps one of the speediest live baits to be found.
Spot tail minnows are also excellent Striper bait. You can usually find them under overhanging willows along rivers or lakes feeding on small flies. A ¼” mesh cast net will keep from gilling this small bait. Alternatively, they can be seined. Usual bait sizes range from 3” up to 5”.
Skipjack Herring aka Poor Man’s Tarpon, or River Herring, will readily take small artificial. Common in rivers from Texas to South Carolina. Seldom cast netted. Ranges up to 4lb. Ideal bait size is from 6 to 16”. They can be a ball to catch on fly rods or ultralite spinning tackle. Once hooked they will repeatedly jump from the water. Extremely hard to keep alive in a bait tank. A modified tuna tube will keep them lively. Many Striper over 40lbs are caught on this bait each year.
The Golden Shiner is favored wintertime bait. Shiners are found around moss beds and reed stands on many lakes and rivers in the US. They are easily cast netted after throwing breadcrumbs out on the water, or they can be caught on a rod and reel using a hair fine hook and about a 1/8” in diameter rolled piece of bread. Ideal bait size is from 5 to 12”.
A twelve-inch specimen will weigh about 3/4lb. extremely easy to keep for long periods and very tough bait.
White Perch or Waccamaws, are a Stripers relative but at times Striper can’t resist eating them. Similar to a White Bass in appearance but without pronounced lateral lines. Bait stealers UN paralleled in their range, which is from Maine to Kansas. Easily caught in cast nets, or with very small artificial or live baits fished on bottom. Ideal size for bait is from 4 to 8”. Extremely sharp gill plates so handle with care!!!
River Red horse sucker. Found in clear fast moving streams, several close relatives scattered across central US. Occasionally caught while cast netting, can also be caught fishing small earthworms on the bottom. Very hardy bait
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Originally Posted by DarkSkies
