Live Bait - Insects
Crickets, grasshoppers, waxworms, mealworms, and various larvae — natural, inexpensive baits highly effective for panfish, trout, and other species. Terrestrial insects float and flutter on the surface mimicking natural food that falls into the water.
Techniques
- Free-lining on surface
- Under a small bobber
- Tipped on jigs
- Drift fishing
- Ice fishing presentations
Target species
- Bluegill
- Crappie
- Sunfish
- Trout
- Perch
- Smallmouth Bass
- Catfish
Best conditions
Crickets and grasshoppers in summer/early fall when insects are abundant. Waxworms and mealworms year-round, especially for ice fishing. Best in small streams, ponds, and shallow lakes.
Skill level
Beginner
