How to Hook a Silverside Fish

Silverside fish are small fish that resemble smelt. The fish get the name from the silver color on their sides. Silversides are found in large schools in the warmer coastal waters, particularly in the Chesapeake Bay. They are used as bait for the larger sport species like snook and stripers. Hooking as silverside is done the way you would hook any live minnow used for bait. There are three methods for hooking a silverside.

Instructions

    • 1

      Take the silverside in one hand and pry the mouth open. Take the hook and push it up and under the lower lip. Bring the hook up through the lip so the barb pushes up and over the nose. This allows the silverside to swim naturally, bringing in the larger fish.

    • 2

      Back hook the silverside. Push the hook barb through the upper ridge, taking care not to cut the spine, immobilizing and paralyzing the fish. Back hooking gives the fish more mobility and allows a lateral motion in the water.

    • 3

      Tail hook the Silverside. Insert the hook so the barb faces up. Push it through the narrow point between the tail fins and where the main body begins. Tail hooking gives the fish a forward movement when on the line.