Old Mud Minnow

It’s all about the old mud minnow!

During cold water fishing times there are at least three ways to rig up mud minnows. And actually, believe it or not, but this is a bait that works all of the time. I call it my cold water, easy to catch, and hardy as heck kind of bait. However, the mud minnow will also work during the warmer water temps and there is an abundance of shrimp in the creeks, rivers, and sounds. It’s a fish’s as well as a fisherman’s nature to want something different. In this case, during plenty of live shrimp’s times, sometimes throwing in a mud every now and then can trigger a larger fish bite!



A mud when rigged on a jig head can work as good as a live shrimp or artificial bait. It’s no secret when going this baiting up route that casting into place, reeling a few turns while relocating the bait, retrieving, and repeating is a good plan. The old mud will definitely do you proud, because once dropped to the bottom this bait is going to get to wiggling. When live bait goes into this mode sand storms are created. And what is so good about a sand storm when it comes to bait? Well, it is kind of like a smoke signal, when the fish see it they are curious and they have a tendency to come to take a closer look see. It is also a known fact that when any bait moves close to the bottom “happy trails” are produced! Who are attracts these happy trails? Those fish that you are targeting! Don’t forget, especially during cold times, to give all fish time to eat!



Photo by Captain Kevin Rose

Captain Kevin is showing us how he hooks up his mud minnow. This bait can be used under a popping or traditional adjustable float. It also can be used with a small weight or none at all. When you go weightless we call going this route “fishing naked!” Please note: I am talking about the bait not the fisherman. You might find it way to cold to fish naked (without clothes) in the winter time. However, I would have to agree sometimes in the summer it does get hot enough to go clothes-less! (Just don’t get caught!)




Photo by Captain Kevin Rose

When using muds as bait and you find that the bite is slow I suggest giving two muds a try! After all they will make more of a sand storm bring on some better biting activity!