Fishing

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I got to wondering what I would use for bait in my perch trap post SHTF. I stated "dogfood, bugs, pieces of meat/fish for bait as well as crawdads" with dogfood being the most popular by far. The other items would probably be eaten as I came across them post SHTF but if they were not they would be great for both fish and game traps.
I have found that using rough ground/cracked corn and oats in a weighted down bag, such as the bag your onions come in, with the fine mesh, as well as pantyhose works. The pantyhose I use for my keeping my stinkbait on treble hooks anyway but it seemed not to allow quite enough of the stuff out to attract the perch until a few extra holes were added. SIDENOTE: It is important to make sure PRE-SHTF that the pantyhose are indeed old and unwanted no matter what your thoughts are on the subject as a young married man once found out!:(
It is a gamble using your food but if some was to sour on you from moisture, be from an unsure source or be leftover after cooking it would work great as fish are eaters from eyesight and smell both.

[runtothehills]

It's hard to find a safe place to fish in Ohio, it seems like. Toxic algae closed a bunch of Lakes last year. Check this link. http://www.dispatch.com/live/content...e-in-ohio.html

[runtothehills]

It's hard to find a safe place to fish in Ohio, it seems like. Toxic algae closed a bunch of Lakes last year. Check this link. http://www.dispatch.com/live/content...e-in-ohio.html

I guess, I should have said, be careful where you fish. You never know! Don't want to die from eating a fish! Gezz! What's happening to this world!

[Matt In Oklahoma]

That happens from time to time especially in agriculture areas where to much fertilizers and poisons get in water that doesnt flow enough. Lakes and ponds also "turn" in the summer when it gets got and the sediment floats off the botttom. There will be fish kills during this time too along with a smell. Mercury levels also need to be watched sometimes too.

[becky3086]

We live by the lake here in GA but have found fishing from the shore a lot harder than it seems. We often don't catch anything. I am trying to learn more about how to fish in this area. Fishing in the northeast where I grew up was so much easier. I remember catching dozens of perch and trout with just a pole, bobber and a worm there but you won't catch fish with that here.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Went to the Chickasaw Tribal Complex today and they had this interesting tidbit on fishing



Not to say any laws should be broke but it's a little something to put in your mental kit

[hua man]

Stakeout lines. I have used these to catch Bluegill (Bream) over the years. Just push your sticks deep. Kind of like a fish snare, for those who don't know. Just a length of line with two+ snelled hooks between two anchors. Stays camoflauged unless there's a fish on, then the branches shake.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Stakeout lines. I have used these to catch Bluegill (Bream) over the years. Just push your sticks deep. Kind of like a fish snare, for those who don't know. Just a length of line with two+ snelled hooks between two anchors. Stays camoflauged unless there's a fish on, then the branches shake.

Got a picture or diagram for us? I think I understand what you are saying but..

[hua man]

Sorry, my imaging devices are down.

Take a four foot piece of fishing line. At the 1 ft and 3 ft area tie loops. Attach a snelled hook (or equivalant) to the loops. Tie ends of main line to two tree branches. Stick branches in creek bed. Bait. Wait an hour, then check. Repeat again after a few more hours. Braches will shake when fish on. No line on bank to identify. Works best on smaller fish, and bream are crazy easy to bite.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Sorry, my imaging devices are down.

Take a four foot piece of fishing line. At the 1 ft and 3 ft area tie loops. Attach a snelled hook (or equivalant) to the loops. Tie ends of main line to two tree branches. Stick branches in creek bed. Bait. Wait an hour, then check. Repeat again after a few more hours. Braches will shake when fish on. No line on bank to identify. Works best on smaller fish, and bream are crazy easy to bite.

Got it, thanks!

[scientia]

Another thing to concider with fish is that they have VERY little calories, thus if they are soley eaten in a survival situation, you may still go hungry.

Interesting comment. An ounce of typical meat like beef or pork has 55 calories. A typical portion is four ounces or about 220 calories. Fish has 35 calories per ounce or about the same as lean turkey or chicken (or pheasant or rabbit). Your argument would apply to any lean meat since most of the calories are in the fat.

[Fanderal]

For post SHTF situations, I would use Trot lines, and nets. While ilegal most of the time, a net is light compact, and like snares; once deployed works for your 24/7.

On the other hand... What about small scale fish farming. I've seen big fancy plans, and plans based on 55 gal drums, that would seem both easier, and healthier than fish in the wild. Besides, unless you live near Eufalla, or Texoma, most of those farm ponds, and lakes will be fished out in short order.

Here are a couple of links on the subject:

Small scale Catfish Farming

Or if you prefer Talapia:

Tilapia Farming at Home

Let's not forget that the reason Agriculture supplanted Hunter/Gatherer culture, is that it is far more efficient.


FWIW
Fanderal

[Matt In Oklahoma]

Chemlights make good floats. I know post SHTF a glowing chemlight wont be wasted on food gathering and breaks opsec however if in a woodlands survival situation and you are done needing light for the night it's a good way to know if you have a fish on the line in the dark as you wake throughout the night. Also just because the chemlight quit working doesnt mean it quits floating so that "trash"is still useful.

I meant to record one in use this summer while fishing but forgot to.
This is where you tie the line

[Boyd]

Another thought, Make a fish trap out of hardware cloth. Not legal or sporting but would work.

I guess it depends on where you live, I have several of these traps http://www.catchnbait.com/pinfish-bait-fish-traps.htm plus about 30lbs of their bait. Want to fill your freezer quickly? Put about 2 cups in the bait bag, tie one of these off a boat side float about 2' under the surface of the water and tie the float off to another line.. Wait 2-3 hours and you'll have enough bluegills, perch and white bass to eat all day.

Fish, for when you are to lazy to throw a line :)

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I guess it depends on where you live, I have several of these traps http://www.catchnbait.com/pinfish-bait-fish-traps.htm plus about 30lbs of their bait. Want to fill your freezer quickly? Put about 2 cups in the bait bag, tie one of these off a boat side float about 2' under the surface of the water and tie the float off to another line.. Wait 2-3 hours and you'll have enough bluegills, perch and white bass to eat all day.Fish, for when you are to lazy to throw a line :)

I have a smiliar one that I use with dogfood. It also seems to attract alot of small snakes too! LOL
I have a couple of questions if you dont mind. Do you think their bait works better than the dry dogfood? How long does the bait store? Does it have to be refridgerated after opened?