Some of the best fishing that can be found in Florida are from its miles of gorgeous shorelines, bridges, piers and docks. Many anglers that fish these areas choose, for many reasons, to use live bait. The top 5 live baits that can be used inshore in Florida are:
1. Live Shrimp
Live shrimp are the "jack of all trades" baits for inshore saltwater fishing. There are very few fish in the water that will not eat live shrimp, this includes everything from the prized Redfish to the loathed puffer-fish. When an anglers goal is to simply catch any fish that may be around, live shrimp is hard to beat.
Pros:
- Accepted by almost every fish in the ocean
- Easy to find in most bait and tackle stores
- Also work well frozen on a later trip
Cons:
- Attracts many "trash fish"
- Can be easily taken off a hook
- Some anglers are allergic to them
2. Finger Mullet
Finger mullet are small mullet that range in size from 2-6". This bait fish is highly sought after by game fish anglers because of its well deserved reputation for catching many game fish, ranging from Redfish to Trout and many more.
Pros:
- Very attractive to most game fish
- Easily netted by anglers using a cast net
- Found at many high quality bait shops
Cons:
- Can be hard to find at times for shore bound anglers
- Can be expensive to purchase at a bait shop
- Difficult to keep alive with out a large bait bucket and rapid aeration
3. Pinfish
Pinfish are one of the most common fish found inshore. They can be easily caught using a small hook and a small piece of cut shrimp. They are not the most active bait fish on a hook, but they do attract the attention of most inshore game fish with their erratic motion and grunting sound.
Pros:
- Erratic motion and grunting attracts most game fish
- Easily caught by most anglers at almost any time of the year
- Found at most high quality bait shops
Cons
- May not live long on a hook if weighted down
- Can be expensive to buy from a bait shop
- Larger Pinfish are often ignored by many inshore game fish, they will only accept smaller to medium sized pinfish.
4. Mud Minnows
Mud minnows are known to be one of the most durable live baits. They range in size from 2-4" and are a favorite bait for many Redfish and inshore Mangrove Snapper anglers. During low tide they can be easily netted by anglers that find them on shallow mudflats.
Pros:
- One of the most durable baits that there is
- Easy to net or trap in shallow waters
- Readily accepted by many game fish
Cons:
- Can be difficult to find during certain parts of the year
- Many bait shops do not carry them, and if they do, they can be quite expensive
- Sometimes the smaller mud minnows can be the targets of small trash fish that will eat their fins while they are on a hook.
5. Small Crabs
There are many types of crabs that can be used as bait in Florida. The 3 most popular are SMALL blue crabs, fiddler crabs and mud crabs. Most of these crabs can be either trapped, netted, or picked up by hand.
Pros:
- Attracts fish that most other baits will not (Sheepshead are a prime example)
- Can attract very large fish (Black Drum and Redfish of trophy size have been caught on blue crabs)
- Can live a long time in captivity if well cared for
Cons:
- Can be difficult to rig
- May not live long on a hook
- Relatively easy for a fish to steal
While these are our Top 5 Inshore Baits, they are by no means the only baits that will work inshore. Other baits such as scaled sardines, grunts, pig fish, clams, sand fleas and many more all work very well.
