While fishing with crickets can be more challenging than with other bait, the satisfaction you get when you hook the lunker is worth it.
Here we will look at fishing with crickets. We will learn the fish that like them, three methods to catch crickets, fishing using a cricket, and tips to help you use cricket as bait.
Table of Contents
Fish You Can Catch With Crickets
1. Yellow Perch
The cricket will need to be deeper underwater where the perch can see it. Summer is the best time to use crickets for perch.
2. Crappie
You will have to place the hooked cricket underwater at a medium depth. The best time to catch crappy is spring and summer.
3. Bream
Since crickets do most of their moving during the day, bait the cricket with a small hook so he can move about as he lays on the water.
Mornings are best in the summer to catch Bream using crickets.
4. Trout
Let the cricket look natural. Have it lay on the water and move with the current and the wind.
Best Seasons to Use Crickets as Bait
Knowing when to fish with crickets is essential to being successful. You will find crickets close to a lake in the spring and summer.
So, the best time to fish with crickets will be during these seasons.
How to Fish with Crickets: Best Methods!
Method 1: Using a Soda Bottle
Step 1 – Clean an empty 2-liter soda bottle. Poke air holes into the top and the sides.
Step 2 – Cut off the top part of the bottle below the bottleneck.
Step 3 – Place pieces of wet bread sprinkled with sugar in the jar.
Step 4 – Take the top part of the bottle you cut off and place it upside down in the bottle so the crickets will not be able to get out of the bottle once they get inside.
Step 5 – Lay the bottle on its side in a spot where you see crickets. This trap will keep the crickets alive and safe.
Step 6 – Once you have caught the crickets, close the bottle and store them out of direct sunlight.
Method 2: Using Newspaper
Step 1 – Mix one cup of sugar with one cup of plain breadcrumbs.
Step 2 – Before the crickets come out, sprinkle the sugar crumb mixture on the ground.
Step 3 – Cover the mixture with a sheet of newspaper.
Step 4 – Use a container with a lid, punch holes into it for air, begin pushing the feasting crickets into the container.
Step 5 – Once in the container, place some sugar crumbs in the container so they can stay alive.
Use them as bait as needed!
Method 3: Using Duct Tape
Step 1 – Locate where you saw the crickets and lay a strip of duct tape with the sticky side up.
Step 2 – Wait a day and then check the tape. Remove the crickets from the tape and place them in a container with air holes in the lid.
Step 3 – Use your bait to fish!
Live Crickets vs Artificial Crickets
Live crickets
Live crickets offer fish the food they eat since they can smell the crickets, and they are an easy meal.
While the crickets can get messy, may smell after they die, and can be challenging to keep alive, the fish love live bait!
Artificial bait and lures are ready whenever you are. There is no mess, and the lures and bait look like live bait.
They can be used over and over again. Artificial bait and lures can be heavier to fish with and harder to use. You will have to practice to get used to the weight.
You will also need to find the fish as they may not be drawn to the lures. The lures don’t move, so you must move them.
What You’ll Need to Fish with Crickets
- Split shot
- Fishing pole/fishing reel
- Hooks
- Crickets
Baiting the Hook Using a Cricket
Remember, as you hook the cricket, you want it alive to use as bait.
Step 1 – Pick up the cricket so it doesn’t jump away from you, especially as you remove it from the bait box. Hold the cricket firm, but gently, so you don’t injure it.
Step 2 – Holding the cricket behind its head, put the hook in at the back, make sure not to go in too deep. It can kill the cricket if you go too deep.
Step 3 – The upper back is sturdy. So pushing the hook in here is your best bet.
Step 4 – Once the cricket is on the hook, get it in the water as fast as possible!
Fishing with Crickets
Above the Water
Choose a weedy location with structures where fish can hide like fallen logs and old dock pilings, you should catch fish easily.
A bobber will be easier for beginners. It lets the cricket float on the water.
If you choose to go without a bobber, just lay the cricket on the surface and let the fish do the rest.
As long as your cricket is secure on the line, you can use the crickets to fly fish as well.
Under the Water
Using the slip shot, you can use the crickets to fish underwater.
Once the cricket goes under the water, it will die, don’t worry, that won’t stop the fish! Apply the slip shot to the line, squeeze, and then apply your cricket.
Drop the line in the water and wait for your bite. If you need to fish deeper, add an extra slip shot.
You can also fly fish and have your cricket sink under the water by adding weight.
Quick Tips When Fish With Crickets
- Use slip shot on the line as a weight.
- Using an Aberdeen hook will keep the cricket alive longer
- Use crickets to catch the fish that naturally feed on them
- Know the seasons and the time of day to catch the best fish with crickets
- Keeping the hooks small will let the bait move better and attract more fish.
