Baitfish

[Newlite]

Can anybody tell me what elwives are and how do you catch them, I was told that when you have them under your floating light, just before you cast your net or dip for them you have to shut the light off, since they are lightning fast, anyone have info.

[stripernut]

Mr. Newlite,

the actual name is "alewife" plural "alewives". they are a species of herring . they are less tolerant of poor water quality than threadfins or gizzards eg. imbalanced bait tank results in poor inactive unattractive bait. the light attracts the plankton and in turn attracts the alewives, when you turn the light off it essentially has the same effect as "the deer in the headlights" reaction...it freezes them (or its SUPPOSED to freeze them) they are extremely spooky versus threadfins / gizzards as well. but they are striper "crack" ! stripers are addicted to them lol ! giant smallmouth will kill them in the spring, big flatheads cant pass em up either, walleye love em, and if they are small enough crappie will eat em up too.
sometimes they are alot of work, but they are always worth it .
good,luck hop[e this helps