Handling Minnows

[MetroMan]

Does anybody have any trick for handling minnows? Those little bastards kept slipping out of my hand yesterday while trying to hook 'em.

[DOGFISH]

I have never had much of a problem with minnows. I hook them from the bottom lip upwards. I may not be of much help otherwise, except to maybe use a fishing glove. That may be awkward. However, I have always had very good luck with grass shrimp, when fishing for yellow perch. I used to fish at Red Bridges for the perch run. I liked to use grass shrimp under a bobber. I read your other post about the fish. Maybe a slip bobber would aid in not snagging objects.

Also, looks like the new battery was working well. Very good with that project.

[MetroMan]

Thanks for the tips. My main problem with the minnows was preventing them from slipping out of my hands while trying to hook 'em. I curshed a couple of them to death trying to keep em still...I dont fish with them very often. Maybe I just need more practice.

A slip bobber would have been perfect, now that you mention it!

[Capt C-Hawk]

[QUOTE=MetroMan;26526] I curshed a couple of them to death trying to keep em still...
QUOTE]

So... how long have you had these anger management issues?

[J.A. Veil]

I too have had some difficulties holding the minnows still while I hook them (I really can't blame the little guys too much though). My fingers loose some dexterity after two hours out in the cold.

I find that I often need to give a quick wipe of my hand on the wader leg in order to start with clean skin before maneuvering the minnow into piercing position.

The smallest minnows pose the most challenge for me.

[Pinch]

Cheese Cloth. Take a 4''x6'' piece of cheese cloth and reach into the bucket/bait tank. It will hold the little guy very well.

And its cheap

[MetroMan]

great suggestion!

I was thinking of pouring a lil bit of vodka in the minnow bucket. Everybody in the bucket get tipsy...

[tufnik]

A lot of folks use rag/cloth to hold eels (for stripers).

[nay_sayer]

great suggestion!

I was thinking of pouring a lil bit of vodka in the minnow bucket. Everybody in the bucket get tipsy...

I think that's a great idea. Just give it to them the night before. I sure can't seem to move very well the next day

[Shady]

I heard minnows prefer whiskey...

I use a small bait dip net to get the minnow out of the bucket and sometimes will use that to help hold it too when putting it on the hook. This also keeps hands dry and out of the cold water in your bait bucket.

[surfdog]

minnow killer