Fish Bait & Live Leeches

Leeches are plentiful fish bait found in any lake, creek, river or other inherent source of water. They are in the worm family, and sport colors of maroon, black, olive, brown or combinations of those colors. They are blind, sensitive to smell and touch, and on both ends have a disc, or sucker. The disc on the head end is the smaller of the two, and encloses the leech's mouth. The leech uses the disc to eat, explore as it moves and as an aid in movement. A larger disc is on the tail of the leech, and it adheres to surfaces, allowing the leech to push forward.

  1. Versatile Bait

    • Leeches swim in wavelike pulsating patterns and the motion attracts fish in most styles of fishing. At shallow depths, they tantalize fish when hooked below a bobber, and on the lake's bottom tempt fish to strike, if hooked to a lure. They're also effective in medium depths, when hooked on a lure.

    Hooking Leeches

    • You should hook the leech through the large disc, on its tail.

      You want to hook a leech through the larger disc, to get the most action. When hooked this way, the leech tends to stretch out and gives the appearance of swimming. If you hook them through the small disc they tend to roll into a ball, and there's no action. Occasionally, a leech will roll into a ball, even when hooked through the large disc. When this occurs, replace it with another leech, because fish are attracted to movement.

      When you're casting a leech and lure combination, hook the leech twice so it won't fly off. First, hook it through the large disc then turn it over and hook it through its back, close to the disc.

    Use Fresh Leeches

    • Although active leeches are a super live bait, their effectiveness depends on freshness. If they're not fresh and active fish ignore them. Always check the leeches inside the container you intend to purchase, if they're lethargic don't purchase them. Either go to another bait shop, or catch your own.

    Catching Leeches

    • If you want to catch leeches, put fish heads in a coffee can along with a few rocks to hold it down. Then crinkle the top shut and slice a few narrow slits, in the can. Put the can in a swampy weedy area, leave it overnight and return before sunrise the next day. Open the top of the can and let it sit for about two hours. You want to let the stronger horse leeches climb out, because fish won't bite on them. The remaining fresh and active leeches are what you want to use for bait.

    Storing Leeches

    • Little effort is required to keep leeches, because they'll survive a long time in a can of cold, clean water. They don't like heat so, it is important to change the water at least every two days. If possible, use lake or well water and don't use water with chlorine in it, because chlorine kills them. If you need to, purchase bottled spring water to use.

      You want your leeches firm, if any become soft and develop a ring around their nose, discard them.

    Summary

    • It's best to use leeches in the summertime, because their population decreases. During the summer, fish are more active and eat more of them, and leeches too, are more active in the summer making better bait. (Reference 1)