The cost of live bait has increased this year. The marinas are charging $4.00 per dozen for Nightcrawlers. That works out to 33 cents each. Small minnows are $3.00 per dozen or 25 cents each. If this increase continues artificial baits are looking better every day.

The sunfish are moving into shallow water, but I did not find any on the beds this last Wednesday. The males are in their spawning colors.The weather forecasters are saying next week will be in the 90's. If so the sunfish should be preparing to spawn on the May 10th full moon.

I know minnows have gone up in our area as well. As for worms you can still get em at a good price at both Walmart and Acadamey.

I never would have dreamt that worms would cost more than minnows.

I would think Walmart would be the best place to buy worms. As for minnows the price seems to rise every year. Also a lot of the bait places that carry minnows are starting to get harder to find.

I noticed today that Wal Mart has red worms and nightcrawlers for $3.50 a cup. They were $3.00 last year.

More fun to use the fly rod anyway. And I don't look like Chuck at the end of the day; covered in worm dirt

I noticed the bluegill have finally moved shallow on the main lake today. The little males were building nests and chasing each other. So we should be on target for May 10th on Lake Somerville.

Curious, do the bigger females usually spawn early and less often? I've read about the bigger bass spawning earlier.

I still haven't seen the long ear come shallow yet.

You can't go wrong with a box of Night Crawlers! I can remember when you could buy a box of 25 night crawlers for $1.59. Now the biggest containers are loaded with only 18 and you are paying $3.50 a box at Walmart and $3.79 at Acadamey. As for live minnows I only use them for Crappie and that is not that often. I mainly use jigs for Crappie.



Side Note: Sign of the times! Things always seem to be going up in price!

Don't venture to New Mexico, Ute Lake Minnows $5.85 a dozen, Worms 4.25 a dozen, Conches Lake $6.00 dozen , goes to $5.00 a dozen for 4 or more, worms $4.50 a dozen !!!!!!!!

Don't venture to New Mexico, Ute Lake Minnows $5.85 a dozen, Worms 4.25 a dozen, Conches Lake $6.00 dozen , goes to $5.00 a dozen for 4 or more, worms $4.50 a dozen !!!!!!!!

Might have to be like willie rip and raise my own lbvs.

I gotta agree with J-Moe on this one. Especially during the Spring and Summer months when the gills hang out in shallower water. Though the price of flies has seem to sky rocket lately too, but at least you can catch many gills on the same fly and there is always tying your own.