Experiences in bait collection.

[Allen Morgan]

Several weeks ago, I bought one of those battery powered green LED submersible lights.  I was planning on using it to draw in minnows at night so I could scoop them up with a net.

I finally got a chance to use the thing last night.  I went to one of my home lakes, that has several floating fishing platforms.  I initially dropped it into the water on the deep side.  Well, after several minutes, I didn't notice ANYTHING coming in.  I moved it over to near the weedline.

Within seconds of dropping it in, I had a couple "somethings" swimming around the light.  I'm not totally sure what they were.  These critters were probably less than 1/2" in length, and closer to 1/4".  They looked like very tiny tadpoles.  I could see very prominent eyes.  I'm thinking they might have been Damselfly nymphs.

Within a few minutes, I had something else swarming around the light.  These were extremely tiny, about the size of sand grains.  I could see them, as they were present by the thousands.

I kept looking for minnows.  Never did see any.  However, the real fun started about an hour into the soak.  I saw my first fish.  It came rushing in from my left, around behind the light, stopped, then rushed behind me.  It was just barely within range of the light.  I could see the shape of the fish, but not identify it.  Size-wise, it was either a big Crappie, or a small LMB.

The next 30 minutes was really fun.  Every few minutes, several fish would move in, and circle the light just far enough out that I could see the outline of the body, but not identify it.  I did have a few Bluegill move in close, and start inhaling the small critters.

I'm probably going to have to use this thing where the minnows are, shallow water.  I have a few spots like that around, just have to try it.  Of course, the weather is against me as well; it's coming to a close in the warm-water season.  Water temp has dropped about 13 degrees.  But, I may end up doing some night-fishing trips with this light, out of my kayak, at some known Crappie holes.

[Johnny]

If yo dont mind school me one the light your using, the onlt one I've ever used was just a old white light.

[Allen Morgan]

Johnny, it's a Berkley, takes 3 AA batteries, and has 6 green LED lights inside a waterproof housing.  I got it at Academy Sports and Outdoors a few months ago.