Today, we are going to talk about a different use for our bugs: fishing.

1. Waxworms: One of the most common fishing baits frequently used for ice fishing. Waxworms are great for catching brin, trout, catfish, bluegill, crappie, bass, perch, and other panfish. They have very soft bodies and are known to break off the hook. Make sure to run the waxworm along the hook lengthwise to decrease breakage.
2. Black Soldier fly larvae: These fantastic feeders are known for their high calcium content and make a fantastic bait. They have a thicker skin compared to the waxworms, and wiggle around a lot more as well. For some of the more aggressive feeders such as flatheads and trout, the medium or large size of these larvae would work best. For more timid feeders like bass, the smaller sizes are preferred. Black soldier fly larvae are also known to catch Bream and Tilapia.
3. Mealworms: These crawlers can be trickier to use, being hard-bodied larvae that are very skinny. Using multiple on a hook, or using a bait holder can help alleviate these issues. Mealworms are more bouyant than nightcrawlers and stay in feeding lanes better. Many customers prefer Giant Mealworms, as they're easier to grab and hook. We've supplied a summer camp with giant mealworms for several years now.
4. Crickets: An often overlooked bait, I find this a bit odd as the reason crickets are big in the reptile hobby is due to the cricket farmers that were already breeding them for fishing. They can be a bit trickier to get on the hook, but when done right they can attract large trout. Push the hook in behind the head and out the back of the cricket's body, and keep the cricket on the surface of the water. You will have yourself a fish in no time.
5. Blue bottle fly spikes: Another soft-bodied larvae that fish can’t get enough of! In their larval form, they are fantastic for ice fishing and are known to catch land-locked salmon, white fish, perch, carp and other panfish. Their adult form is often used to make fake fly fishing lures, so why not try the real deal?
6. Nightcrawlers: A classic fishing bait, known more for their ability to catch fish than their ability to feed lizards. Nightcrawlers can also be torn into smaller pieces, giving you multiple attempts with the same bug.
7. Butterworms: Known to be great fishing bait for trout and the like, these moth larvae are seasonally available. They're also known as Tebo or Trevo worms in the fishing circle.