carolina rig + live crawdad???

[davidg]

I've never done any serious bass fishing, but I thought I'd change things up and give it a try. I've been reading a few articles on the web. I want to try the carolina rig. I was curious if live crawdad could be used as bait on a carolina. Or should you always use artificial bait?

[bassexterminator]

my friend just got back from shasta lake and thats what they used for spotted bass.he told me him and his uncle released almost 50 bass in a day.

[Basscaster]

David-
Using live bait other than nightcrawlers is against the law here in Oregon. Check the regs.

[Hunt'nFish]

EXCEPT, in tidal influenced estuary...ie. the Columbia below Beacon Rock and Willamette up to O.City falls.
Always, Check the regs.
Hunt'nFish

[Striper Club]

Yum brands makes a very nice crawdad tube called 'Crawbug' that works great when bass are munching on mudbugs. Much less hassle than using live/organic bait and you don't have to worry about bait regulations. :wink:

[BloodNtheboat]

David-
Using live bait other than nightcrawlers is against the law here in Oregon. Check the regs.


I believe you are mistaken, as far as crawdads go, look at the regs on page 12, #3 on live bait rules.

It reads
3.Dead fish, preserved fish, or parts of fish, shellfish and fish eggs may be used as bait
Its legal to use shellfish as bait in oregon.

[joshjames]

i wish i had known that one.. i pulled in a log today while fishing for some bass and a few lil crawdads came falling out of it onto the shore.... i considered piercing one and flinging it out to test my luck. wasnt sure though if it was a legal option or not so i let them back into the water

[Pondscum]

Bloodntheboat is right. You can use live crawdads as bait. It is my understanding that the main reason that fish cannot be used as live bait in most waters is because ODF&W does not want to deal with illegaly introduced specices. This is the case at Lava Lake. Someones "minnow's" survived the chomp or a bucket full got dumped in the lake at the end of the day and they reproduced.

As far as using crawdads on a Carolina rig, the only downside that I have experienced is that sometimes they crawl under rocks and get you hung up.

[eat, sleep, fish]

The regs state that live fish may not be used as bait except in bays or tidal influenced areas where the bait fish were caught from. I have only used live crawdads a couple times, and have done pretty well for smallies.

[joshjames]

in what fashion do you hook the crawdad... i used a senko type hook and it was tough going through the outer shell... whats your advice if any??

[BaitStop]

I used a Mustad 9174 livebait hook in #6 or #4. Usually we put the hook "up thru the tail". If we had time we'd bore the hook in the nose carefully so it didn't crack out. We used 1-2 small splitshot for weight. Here's a tip bust off the pincher so they can't grab the brush & hang on.

[Mr. Sturgeon14]

David-
Using live bait other than nightcrawlers is against the law here in Oregon. Check the regs.


live bait can be used only if caught from the water source it is to be fished in is what the regs say

[Tanner]

What's the point of using live bait when bass fishing anyway? It takes away most the fun and challenge of catching them. :shrug:

[fishboys]

My biggest smallie ever came from a live crawdad in the Umqua River I had seen a couple large fish follow my kalin salty lunker grubs up until they could see me, then just back off. I tried for hours every thing I had was used in the attempt to hook a large smallie finally I ran out of tricks so I see A dead crawdad close to shore so I start turning a few rock and found a live one and that was the ticket, they just couldnt resist, I never keep large fish so they all have lived to see another day. and after I caught a few that way I felt like I was cheating so I dont do it anymore. But the good news is I am going to be staying at the Big K this weekend, my wifes sister is getting married and we know the owners and will be there saturday and sunday so the bass rods and shad gear are packed. Good thing I just have to be there for the service and thats it :yay:

[Mr. Sturgeon14]

the live crawdad rig well just hook it through the tail and throw er' out. it works great in the willy

[gerry]

Crawdads are considered "nongame fish", not "shellfish" and can't be used live unless they you fish them in oceans, bays, and tidewaters. They have to be caught in the same place also.

[Mr. Sturgeon14]

yeah waters affected by the tide the willamette is one of them and you just catch some craws out of where you are fishing and then it is legal. Oh and i think a weightless one works better it did last week anyway.

[baltz526]

on page 11 general statewide regulations. shell fish=abalone, clams, crabs, CRAYFISH, mussles, oysters, ect. then on page 12 under gear bait and general restrictions, on line three= dead fish, preserved fish, or parts of fish, SHELLFISH and fish eggsmay be used as bait. -CRAWDADS ARE LEGAL LIVE FOR BAIT IN OREGON. end of doubt? a carolina type rig is exactly how i fish them. when i have time to catch them,and go fishing.

[gerry]

If crayfish are "shellfish" then why don't you need a "shellfish license" to harvest them?

Answer: because they are considered "Nongame" pg 13
They can be fished live in oceans, bays, tidewaters, and only if they are taken from the same water.pg 12

[dragon67]

hey here is a idea for crawdads, use a treble hook and dry off the back of the crawdad. Then use a spot of super glue on the back of the crawdad and put the hook on it. Just a thought since super glue is water proof.

[eat, sleep, fish]

Crawdads are considered "nongame fish", not "shellfish" and can't be used live unless they you fish them in oceans, bays, and tidewaters.


You may want to reread the regs. They are under the listing: "Nongame fish and Shellfish - Freshwater". The reason you don't need a shellfish license is because they are a freshwater shellfish, and not a marine shellfish.

The regs clearly state that they are a shellfish, and they clearly state that shellfish can be used.

[gerry]

Bullfrogs are listed also. Are they a fish or a shellfish? Can you use live bullfrogs for bait?
Bottom line: They are "nongame" and can only be used in waters affected by tides. "Nongame fish and shellfish" is a pretty generic term. I'm not trying to start an argument, but the way I understand the regs, its illegal in freshwater. I won't reply anymore after this. :eek:

[eat, sleep, fish]

If Crawdads are defined as shellfish in the regs what's there not to get. They are under the listing "Nongame fish AND shellfish". Bullfrogs would be a nongame fish because they aren't defined as a shellfish. Its legal to use crawdads live anywhere, while bullfrogs would have to be in tidal areas.