Modern fishing rods are constructed with lightweight and durable materials such as fiberglass, graphite, and iridium.
They come with a slot for bait, which can also be used for modern lures or tackles. You will also be glad to know that adding bait to a fishing rod is the easiest thing to figure out.
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How to Add Bait to a Fishing Rod – The Basics
In this post, I have explained several ways to add bait to a fishing rod. Catching fish with a fishing rod may not involve a lot of complicated steps, but you just need to know what kind of food the target fish eat.
Also, fish are attracted to shiny objects. So anything that resembles their stable food can be used as bait.
Fishing bait does not always have to be store-bought. Some anglers prefer to catch live bait at the fishing venue itself. Grasshoppers, caterpillars, earthworms, and mayflies also make good baits (discussed further in detail).
Having said that, it is essential to know what kind of bait will get you the best results. Next, I have discussed bait vs. lure.
Note: You can also read our reviews of ice fishing rods and spinning rods under 0 if you need to buy one.
Difference Between Bait and Lure: Which One is Better?
Bait is an organic substance that anglers attach into the fishing hook. The goal is to get a fish to bite the bait as hard as possible. Animal flesh, insects, bugs, etc. make good baits.
On the other hand, a lure is an artificial object that attracts the fish towards the hook. They resemble a worm or a tiny fish. For a target fish, it is impossible to discern between a lure and their staple food.
Next, the question arises as to which one is better? Generally speaking, natural bait is considered better than an artificial lure.
Natural bait is used when the population of the fish in the water body is low (as in most cases). Fish can smell natural bait from a distance. Whereas, an artificial lure works great in water bodies with a school of fish. Also, a lure slides easily into the hook slot.
The Most Common Types of Fishing Baits You Need to Know
1. Crankbait – How to Add Bait to a Fishing Rod
Crankbait is one of the most popular artificial lures out there. They are made with a variety of materials such as wood, plastic, silicone, etc. There are several knock-offs available in the market, but
I would advise you to stick with branded ones. Crankbaits have the upper hand over other types of lures as they are carefully designed and tested by experts.
You must pick a crankbait depending on the type of waterbody you are planning to fish in. For instance, a wobbly crankbait works great for ice fishing. You will also find crankbaits that float when suspended— they are used for shallow waters.
How to Attach a Crankbait to a Fishing Hook
Crainbaits come with small four-legged hooks. They are lightweight, thin, and not very durable. Adding a crankbait to a fishing rod is easy.
- Thread the line through the slot (attached to the lip of the lure) and tie it firmly.
- You don’t need to do anything else.
- When fishing, just remember not to snap or pull the line hard. A gentle lift of the rod would do.
2. Green Highlander
Green highlander is a lure made with artificial materials. It is shaped like a colorful fly. Some bait shops do sell ready-to-use green highlander flies, but it is recommended to go for the DIY ones.
As you can see in the image above, colorful feathers are tied to the hook in a specific manner. You are supposed to set it up before heading out to fish. Once you are done for the day, you can disassemble the green highlander fly (for later use) or dispose of the used hook.
How to Attach a Green Highlander to a Fishing Hook
Assembling a green highlander fly is an intricate process.
- To begin, you need to purchase the green highlander fighting lure kit.
- For step-by-step instructions, you can check youtube videos.
3. Lesser Wax Moth Caterpillars
Lesser wax moth caterpillar is a live bait used by an angler who wishes to catch Catfish, Chub, Perch, and Roach.
These moths are half-an-inch long and have a silver-grey or beige color body. This insect is found everywhere except places with an extremely cold climate. Lesser wax moth caterpillars can devour trees and crops within days. Hence, you will find them hiding in bushes or on tree branches.
If you live in the northern hemisphere, you can go for Catalpa caterpillars instead. According to a report by the Hutchinson News, they make excellent bait for Catfish.
How to Attach a Lesser Wax Moth Caterpillars to a Fishing Hook
Attaching a live worm or an insect to a fishing hook can be challenging.
- Make sure you place the caterpillar and the fishing hook on a flat surface (a table or a desk).
- Pick up the caterpillar with your left hand.
- Hold its neck with its head popping out of your two fingers.
- Now, insert the hook from its head, running through the body. This way, it won’t fall off the hook when submerged in water.
4. How to Add Bait to a Fishing Rod – Jig
A jig is an artificial lure popular among advanced fishermen. It appears quite similar to a crankbait or a spinnerbait, but the material is softer.
Jigging is a fishing technique that involves jiggling the fishing rod up and down, allowing the jig to create a vertical motion in water. Usually, they are shaped like a small fish or a water-based insect.
How to Attach a Jig to a Fishing Hook
A jig is equipped with a detachable head.
- The jig head has a small slot through which a fishing line can be inserted.
- Once you slide the line through the slot, tie a knot to secure the jig head.
- Search youtube to learn different methods to tie the fishing line to a jig head.
5. Spinnerbait – How to Add Bait to a Fishing Rod
As the name suggests, a spinnerbait is intended to rotate or spin when then the line is dropped in water. The surface of a spinnerbait is shiny and attractive.
The size, shape, and color of this lure make it easy for the target fish to spot from a distance. The circular motion of this bait also makes it appear alive. Spinnerbaits are used by anglers who wish to catch shy fish such as Perch, Pike, and Bass.
How to Attach a Spinnerbait to a Fishing Hook
Most spinnerbait comes with split ring pliers. You can chop and change the structure of the bait, depending on the visibility underwater. For instance, fishing in murky or muddy water would require you to have the bait stand out from the rest of the object underwater.
Top 13 Best Snap Ring Pliers for 2022 – (Updated) Buying Guide
- Spinnerbaits have a safety pin design.
- On one side of the safety pin, you have the hook. The other side has blades (colored or uncolored).
- You can slide the line through the slot located in the center of the safety pin.
How to Add Bait to a Fishing Rod Summary
Attaching a bait or a lure to a fishing rod is not difficult. An angler has a lot of challenges that may rank higher on the priority list.
However, if you are beginning your journey as a fisherman, you must know the different types of fishing baits available on the market.
Now I’d like to hear from you. Are you going to go for a natural bait or artificial lure? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
