How To Read A Fish Finder To Find The Best Live Bait [VIDEO]

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Can you read a fish finder like a fishing guide?

In particular, do you know the difference between a threadfin and pilchard (aka “whitebait”) simply by looking at a fish finder?

This simple fish finder trick can be the difference between you having a live well stocked full of whitebait and a bunch of dead threadfins…

It can also save you a ton of time and frustration when looking for live bait.

We’ve heard from countless inshore fishermen who tell us their biggest struggle is consistently finding good live bait.

So we decided to head out on the water with Capt. Mike Goodwine of Blackneck Adventures to show us exactly how he reads his depth finder to locate the best live bait.

Enjoy.

Whitebait vs Threadfin On A Fish Finder

whitebait vs threadfin

If you’ve ever thrown a cast net on whitebait but only keep pulling up a netful of threadfins, then you aren’t alone.

The great news is that it’s a pretty easy fix.

Here are some of Capt. Mike’s best tips when it comes to finding bait using a fish finder.

Live bait tips using a fish finder:

  • Whitebait is usually always towards the bottom and they stay packed in really close so whitebait will look dark red on the depth finder
  • Since whitebait is usually on the bottom, make sure your net hits the bottom before pulling it up
  • One of the most common mistakes is pulling it up too early and only catching the threadfins
  • The threadfins are usually closer to the surface and aren’t as dense as whitebait so they will usually show up in the middle of the screen as a lighter purple/dark blue color
  • Make sure to idle around the area where you find bait, mark any spots on your depth finder, and then come back around and make your casts on the best spots.
  • Always take the water movement into consideration and be extremely careful when casting your net around structure (every guide has lost a net or two or a dozen from underwater structure).
  • Mike always prefers using whitebait because they last longer, don’t leave a boatload of scales in your livewell, and are amazing bait for redfish, snook, trout, and cobia
  • Use a 10 or 12-foot cast net with a really long handline (the rope that attaches the cast net handline to the actual net) to make sure your net can reach the bottom even in 20+ feet.

Enjoy the video below.

How To Find Bait On A Fish Finder Like A Pro [VIDEO]

Here’s Capt. Mike showing how he reads his fish finder.

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Conclusion

Finding bait can make or break your day out on the water.

The fishermen who can find bait quickly are the ones who get to fish the longest (instead of spending half your morning searching for bait).

And once you learn how to read a fish finder (and what to look for), your live bait game can go to a whole new level.

As Mike explains in the video, keep an eye out for the different colors and depths.

If you want whitebait, know that it will usually always be near the bottom and look like a dark red blob on your depth finder.

Any other fish finder tips that you use?

Let us know in the comments.

Make sure to go follow Capt. Mike Goodwine at Blackneck Adventures on Instagram and Facebook (and make sure to book him for your next inshore experience here on his main website)

Fish On!

Related Post: How To Catch Pinfish Without A Cast Net Or Pinfish Trap

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