How to Bait a Redhorse Sucker Trap

The redhorse sucker population is small because of habitat destruction. Many of its subspecies are illegal to use as food or bait. It is therefore wise, if you are fishing for sport, to catch them with traps instead of lures so you can release them back into their habitat. Their diet includes snails, crustaceans, freshwater shellfish and insect larvae. Use these as bait to avoid harming or killing the fish.

Instructions

1

Place large, live aquatic snails in the main compartment of the trap. Make sure that the snails' shells are larger than the gaps in the sides of the trap.

2

Add freshwater shellfish to the trap. They do not need to be live, but they should be fresh.

3

Place the algae pellets into the trap close to the snails. This will keep the snails alive longer and keep them from trying to leave the trap for a while.

4

Tie one end of the rope to the top of the trap. Sink the trap in a still area of water where few motorized boats pass. Redhorse suckers cannot tolerate turbulent water. Tie the other end of the rope to a buoy.

5

Check the trap daily, refreshing the bait as needed. Never leave the fish in the trap any longer than necessary.