The Best Way to Catch Fish With Leeches

There are few live baits that catch fish as well as lively leeches. The baits, which range in length from less than an inch to three inches or more, are capable of catching nearly any fish that swims in freshwater. While anglers often target walleyes with leeches, catching fish such as bass, crappies, northern pike and sunfish with leeches is not unusual. The best way to catch fish with leeches is to attach them to a lead-head jig.

Things You'll Need

  • Rod and reel
  • Fishing line
  • Jig
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Instructions

    • 1

      Tie a lead-head jig to the end of 6- to 8-pound test fishing line using a Palomar knot. The most common jig weight is 1/4 of an ounce, but use only enough weight to keep the jig in contact with the bottom.

    • 2

      Hold the leech so its sucker end faces upward. Insert the hook of the jig just underneath the sucker and push it through to the other side.

    • 3

      Drop the leech and jig into the water and make sure the leech swims. If it lies dormant, or curls up on the hook, replace it with another leech.

    • 4

      Cast the jig and leech combination to the shallow and deep edges of vegetation, or to the edges of drop-offs.

    • 5

      Experiment with the retrieve style. Try retrieving it in short hops, or simply dragging it along the bottom. If one particular retrieve seems to catch the most fish, continue retrieving that way until the fish quit biting.

    • 6

      Drop the tip of the rod and then swing it upward when you feel a bite. The bite may be a distinctive tap-tap-tap, or feel like extra weight.