Mud Minnows are one of the most overlooked, but most effective baits. They are easy to find at high quality bait shops, can be cast netted or trapped and they attract a WIDE range of game fish. These attributes alone make them one of the best live baits there is, but on top of that they are also extremely durable.
There are many species of similar sized and similar in appearance fish that are called Mud Minnows, also known as bull minnows. They range in size from smaller than an inch to about the equivalent size of a finger mullet (up to 4 or 5 inches).
Where to Find Them
Mud Minnows get their name from their preferred habitat. They are most frequently found in shallow, muddy areas that are adjacent to cover such as mangrove shore lines, docks, bridges and ramps. They are also frequently found on sandy bottoms and around grass flats. They can be found anywhere from near coastal waters to estuaries all the way up into brackish water rivers.
Because Mud Minnows do not migrate a location holds Mud Minnows in the summer will most likely be found there during the winter as well. This trait makes them one of the most abundant bait fish through out the year.
How to Catch Them
Cast netting and trapping are the two primary methods of catching Mud Minnows. These large minnows are fairly easy to cast net. They are found in shallow water and when approached they flee which will leave a V shaped wake on top of the water. Simply cast the net over them.
Because of Mud Minnows preference for shallow water they great targets for trapping. Simply place a trap that will be in no less than six inches of water at low tide. Bait the trap using raw bacon or small fish carcasses (such as pin fish and mullet). leave the trap for a few hours and there should be mud minnows when it is recovered.
Check out our in-depth article about catching mud minnows here: http://www.floridashorefishing.com/how-to-catch-mud-minnows
Keeping Mud Minnows Alive
Mud Minnows are one the most hardy live baits there are. There are many stories of fishermen forgetting to empty their bait bucket or live well and the Mud Minnows still being alive the next day or even a few days later. A basic bait bucket that has its water refreshed every 2-3 hours will do just fine keeping them alive all day. An even more successful and less maintenance method is to keep them in a bucket with constant aeration. A well aerated bait bucket can keep Mud Minnows alive for 6+ hours with out refreshing the water.
While Mud Minnows are more heat hardy than many other baitfish, it is still a good idea not to store the container they are being kept in directly in the sun. The increased water temperatures this would cause leads to a lower level of dissolved oxygen in the water, causing the minnows to become lethargic or even die.
How to use Them as Bait
The best technique for using Mud Minnows as bait is to hook them through the mouth and let them sit on the bottom. Mud Minnows spend almost all of their time on the bottom, this is where their predators expect to find them.
Using a #2-2/0 circle hook, push the point up through the bottom of the minnows lips and out the top. This hook should be attached to a leader of around 10-14 inches long. Above the leader attach a barrel swivel with a bead and a sliding egg sinker above the swivel. The amount and type of weight used should be determined by the depth and current of the area fishing. Use only enough weight to keep the mud minnow in the desired area.
If fishing in shallow water with little current Mud Minnows are a great bait for free lining. They are strong and hardy so they will live a long time on the hook covering a lot of area to attract fish. Run a 1-2/0 weedless hook up through the minnows lips and secure the weed guard. Cast the minnow into areas known to hold fish such as sand pot holes on flats, shallow water near drop offs and area around heavy cover.
Quick Tips
- Mud Minnows are very easy to keep alive, but the better they are cared for the more active they will be on the hook (Here are a few tips to keep baitfish alive: http://www.floridashorefishing.com/how-to-keep-bait-fish-alive)
- Allow them to stay in the water longer than other bait before checking to see if it is alive, they tend to last longer than most live bait.
- Mud Minnows are a favorite food source for most game fish.
- Because they are extremely hardy and often times quite strong, be cautious fishing around structure as Mud Minnows will frequently swim a into the structure fowling the hook.
