Fish Trap (Fish caught on Camera)

Native American Indian Fish Trap

Building a fish trap starts with a body of water that holds fish. Gather a bunch of sticks that are long and thick, like in the video. Tie them up or put in a bin to carry them. You will need some bait like bread worms or corn niblets to put in trap. You're going to place sticks in bottom of water side by side like a wall for a circle. You need an open side where the fish will come in the sticks forming a V shape to allow the fish to go into the trap. The tip of the V will be left open to allow the fish to go in but very hard to get out. Place more sticks in any openings that might allow fish to get out. Now place bait inside the trap. Make sure trap is in shallow water so sticks are sticking out of the water.

Fishing / rare footage: pike attacks a dead bait / strike underwater. Ры...

Rare Underwater Footage: Why a Pike Will Hit Dead Bait

I get a small electric thrill with watching a Northern Pike explode from the deep water — and I get even more when the video footage shows it attacking what looks like a, dead bait. At first glance, a dead fish shouldn’t be interesting. But underwater behavior is different and more nuanced than that: scent, silhouette, and timing all combine to turn something still into tasty prey.

Using underwater cameras brings in the excitement on how pike hunt. They don’t simply crash in blindly; more often they stalk, circle, and test the bait. A pike may approach from an angle it hides in the shadow, pause to checkout the bait, then commit. That brief hesitation — a predator risking it all for the reward — is exactly what anglers see in slow-motion footage. It’s a reminder that predation is equal in parts patience and power.

For anglers, the takeaways are practical. First, don’t dismiss dead bait. Even when it isn’t thrashing, it gives off scent and offers a convincing profile in the water. A fresh, well-prepared deadbait still smells alive and can draw attention from a hungry pike, especially in low visibility or colder water when fish rely more on smell than sight.Best dead minnows I use are suckers and creek chub.

Second, presentation matters. Let the bait sit naturally where pike like to ambush — along weed edges, beside submerged logs, or on drop-offs. A small amount of current or a tiny twitch from the current can be enough to mimic a weakened prey item. Resist the urge to overwork the bait; sometimes stillness is the most realistic and effective action. I sometimes like to put the dead bait under a bobber. I get good results with that as I do with the bait sitting on the bottom.

Third, read the bite. Deadbait strikes can feel softer than the explosive lunges associated with live offerings. That means your hookup timing needs a little finesse: be ready, but don’t yank the rod the instant you sense movement. Hold for a heartbeat, feel for the weight, then set the hook decisively. Too many anglers lift too early and miss those gentle engulfing strikes.

I remember one chilly morning when a friend and I watched a huge shadow glide in and then slowly close on a suspended deadbait. We both froze, thinking it wouldn’t commit — and then it did, as if finally accepting the offer. The heart-pounding grab that followed came with no theatrics, just a long, thorough engulf. It was a quiet lesson in why patience wins more often than aggression. I love watching a big bobber disappear under the water before a hook set.

Footage like this nudges us to rethink assumptions. Nature favors efficiency: if a motionless prey item is easy to eat and smells right, a pike will take advantage. So next time you rig a deadbait, try letting it do the talking. Give it time, set it in likely ambush spots, and watch the water more than your rod tip. Those split seconds of hesitation and the eventual strike — subtle, precise, and primal — are what make pike fishing unforgettable. I can't wait until my next pike fishing adventure.

Tight lines — and keep your camera rolling. You never know when you’ll catch something rare.

Tips on Crappie fishing from the bank!

Why Fish Behavior Changes Everything: Tips for Crappie & Pike Enthusiasts

There’s a moment in every fishing day—whether casting for crappies off the bank or watching underwater footage of a pike lunging at a dead bait—when you realize: it’s not always the gear, but the behavior. Understanding how fish think, move, and respond turns lucky days into consistent ones.

For crappie anglers fishing from the bank, patience isn’t optional—it’s essential. Crappies often hug structure: submerged limbs, brush, docks, or shallow weed edges. They hold there because it offers shelter and ambush opportunities. When casting, try to imagine the hiding places rather than blank water. A small, subtle movement—like dropping a light jig or providing a gentle twitch—can trigger a bite from fish that are wary of anything too flashy.

Now, flip to pike. Those predators are not just muscle and speed—they're calculated. Underwater video reveals it: a “dead” bait still beckons with scent, silhouette, and slight motion from currents or decomposition. A pike doesn’t always rush in. It circles, tests angles, sometimes backs off, then strikes. That hesitation? That’s your chance as an angler to adjust—present slowly, let bait sit, allow scent to do part of the work.

Here’s what connects crappie and pike behavior—and what you can use, right away, whether you’re by the bank or peering into underwater video:

• Read the structure and light: Early morning or late afternoon, light is low, shadows are long. Crappies move to shade, pike use silhouettes. Using darker jigs or natural tones can help in bright light; brighter colors or glow tips help in low light.
• Scent & profile matter: A baitfish, dead or alive, still emits odor. Crappies might be drawn in by scent‐infused baits or marinated live bait; pike rely heavily on scent when water clarity drops or light fades.
• Pacing: With crappie, a slow retrieve, small hops, slight pauses often beat aggressive ripping. For dead bait pike fishing, letting the bait rest or drift without constant motion often triggers strikes.
• Strike sensitivity: Crappie bites can be subtle—fleeting taps or light weights. Pike strikes on dead bait might feel slower or more enveloping rather than the quick lunge of live bait. Stay alert.

Here’s a real scene: One early spring morning I sat by the bank, casting a tiny minnow for crappie. The light was waxing—soft gold—but the water still murky. I could see shadows near submerged branches. I dropped my bait quietly, let it drift. After a long pause, a crappie sipped it from the side. No splash. Barely a ripple. My heart leapt more than with bigger fish because the catch was earned. Caught many more that day for dinner the next day.

Later that week, I reviewed video of a pike investigating a dead bait. It hovered, drifted, paused. I thought it might leave. But the shape, dim silhouette, and scent trail convinced it. It lunged. All raw power and sudden violence—but only after that long buildup. Fishing teaches you respect for waiting and watching. I find children don't want to be patient. Want a fish to bite as soon as the bait hits the water.

So whether you’re casting from a muddy bank under a dock for crappies or rigging dead bait under water hoping for pike, let behavior guide you. Fish seldom do what you expect. They follow opportunity. And when you expect surprises—when you watch, adjust, respect stillness—you see them take what you offer. That’s more satisfying than any haul.

Tight lines and clear water—and may your next tip, twitch, or pause bring something unforgettable.

Minnow Trap

Unexpected Thrills: Fishing from Inside the Minnow Trap

I’ve always thought of the minnow trap as a humble tool—a small boxful of promise, dangling quietly in the water. But sometimes, fishing from inside the trap itself becomes the real surprise. It’s not just about what you catch; it’s about what you learn when your hopes are confined to a little cage in the stream or lake.

Most folks use minnow traps strictly to gather bait. You drop it in, wait, pull it out, and perhaps refill your live bait supply for the day. But there’s something mesmerizing about leaning over the edge, watching fish dart in and out, circling the opening, tempted by the smell, by the motion—or by nothing at all but your presence above the water.

A while back I placed a trap near a weed edge, where current brushed by submerged branches. I expected minnows, maybe small sunfish. When I dipped my hand in, I could feel the water’s pulse, smell the earthy decay of lake leaves and algae. Then, as I lifted the trap, something pushed back—a small bass, a curious creature drawn by the bait’s scent and perhaps by the promise of safety in the darkness.

Here’s what fishing inside the trap teaches you, especially if you let yourself slow down:

• Patience reveals behavior: You notice who’s first to investigate. Is it those bold minnows that dart in right away, or cautious fins that hover outside, watching? Those small momentary decisions tell you about water temperature, visibility, and competition.
• Scent and bait placement matter: A chunk of worm tossed just behind the trap opening can draw fish into the trap better than stuffing the bait at its back. Smell travels upstream; bait that drifts into the opening acts like an invitation.
• Trap size and design matter: Bigger traps with wider entry funnels let larger fish slip in. Smaller ones filter mostly minnows and tiny species. Matching trap design to your target changes your catch dramatically.
• Time of day changes behavior: Dawn and dusk are golden. Light is low, shadows are long. Fish are more willing to wander. Midday bright light makes them skittish—so traps left out then may sat unused or full of timid fish that seldom venture fully inside.

One evening, the sky dimming, I dipped my flashlight below the surface beside my trap. Its beam illuminated tiny fins pressing against the mesh—minnows, yes—but also a couple of sunfish, even a baby pike. Light can become a magnet too, drawing curious fish toward it. After dark, I gently lifted bait from inside the trap, and the water around it boiled with interest.

Fishing this way—watching, waiting, understanding—pulls you deep into the rhythm of the water. It reminds you that every fish has its own signature behavior: some are fearless, some cautious; some driven by hunger, others by safety. And many more are sitting just outside the trap, watching the opening, deciding if now is the moment.

If you’re heading out with a minnow trap, try this: place it where current brings water into the opening; use bait that smells strong but is fresh; check often so fish don’t expire and spoil the scent; wait quietly, observe; allow surprises. Because sometimes, what you pull up isn’t just fish—it’s understanding.

May your traps bring more than bait—may they offer lessons from beneath the surface and moments you won’t forget.

Minnow Trap

Ice Fishing For Beginners

Ice Fishing For Beginners

Hand Ice Fishing Augers Versus Gas Powered Ice Augers

By Jeff Matura

Hand Power Ice Augers
Hand powered ice augers are the least expensive, and do a great job at cutting through the ice, especially the Strike Master Lazer. For occasional fishermen that don't log a lot of days on the hard stuff, this is probably the best choice. When selecting a hand auger you can save a lot of work and time by using the smallest diameter auger you can. The larger the diameter of the blade, the tougher a task it is to drill as you are moving more ice. So in my opinion it's very important when buying a hand auger to purchase a size of auger no bigger than it has to be.

Gas Powered Ice Augers
For those that spend a great deal of time on the ice, or fish lakes that are prone to thick ice, a gas-powered auger is the way to go. These augers can cut through the hard surface in seconds, allowing you more time to fish, and less time to rest your weary body. Being to quickly drill many holes also lets you lower your ice transducer into that many more holes in a given amount of time when you're trying to find the fish. The gas powered auger may be pricey, but they're worth it in my opinion. These augers also have good re-sale value.

Electric Ice Augers
Another powered auger is the electric auger which rely on a smaller lead acid deep cycle battery. The biggest disadvantage of an electric auger is the time required to recharge the battery, versus filling a small gas tank on a gas auger. The next issue is that a deep cycle battery looses power the colder it gets. If your looking to drill a lot of holes every time you hit the ice I would recommend a gas powered auger.

Ice Fishing Auger Size
When fishing for bluegills, crappie, and perch a 5" diameter ice auger will work for you just fine. Some ice fisherman will even use a 4" diameter auger for these smaller fish.

For ice fishing bigger walleye and northern I would go with a 7" to 8" ice auger diameter. I personally used a 7" ice auger for years when tipup fishing for northern and pulled many eight to thirteen pound northern through the 7" diameter hole without any problems.

Bottom line here is that the bigger diameter of the ice fishing auger you purchase the more work it will be for your arms or the engine to power the auger through the ice. Good luck ice fishing this winter and fish safe!

Jeff Matura has been fishing during the open water season and through the ice for over twenty years. The majority of his time fishing has been spent in the Midwest on lakes and rivers including the Mississippi River for crappie, walleye, and bass.

Be sure to visit his latest website for great deals and info on gas camping stoves along with Coleman Propane Stoves.

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