Hello,

I am going trotlining/jugline fishing in a few weeks, with my kids, and not looking to spend a crazy amount on bait. Does anyone know if there are places in the San Antonio area that I could catch some good bait, pretty fast? I am going to try catching some this weekend, and put them in a big tank with aerator till fishing time. I know I can go to the discharges and load up in one or 2 casts, at either braunig or calaveraz, but 1) it�s pricey just to go catch bait, and 2) I�m looking to do it from shore, and get my son in on the action. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you guys, and God Bless!!!

Check the laws on transporting bait, you could end up with a stiff ticket.

Wow, thank you for that information. Is this something new within the last few years? I�ve seen people transporting bait like crazy over the years, but I guess they are cracking down. I�m assuming this is because of zebra mussels, and overall different species being invasive?

Yes sir, passed either last year or the year before. It is because of the zebra mussels. I don�t recall the exact wording but it involves transportation of the water and need a receipt of the bait. Something goofy like that anyways.

Here�s the TPWD info, I�m not trying to tell you what to do, just want to let you know.

The problem is the free swimming larvae--called veligers. These larvae are so small that you really need a microscope to see them. They are free swimming for 2-3 weeks before they settle and grow their shells. So, transporting infected lake water really is an issue.

Iced, though not frozen, shad are reportedly the very next best thing to fresh. Might consider that avenue. Shucks, your cooler probably already smells like fish anyways. I know mine does

I know at Calaveras the law about transporting Talapia out of the lake for bait has been in place for years, long before anyone even heard of the Zebra muscles or knew what they were.
The only way you could transport them away from the lake is they had to have the guts removed, as in dead, and taking them home to eat.
Several years back I was fishing at Choke all the way back as far as I could go by boat up the San Miguel creek that runs into the Frio at Choke, and I snagged three huge Talpia while fishing for white bass.
I was kicking myself for not bringing my castnet, (which would be legal means) but of course I was white bass fishing with artificial, so it sat in a bucket at home.
After I caught and released the first one I remembering telling my fishing partner, "well, I guess we both know how those got into the lake!"

Yes, I completely understand that the zebra mussel issue is real. Same with invasive species. I�m not trying to break the law, I am just looking for a legitimate way to take bait to choke, if there is any way. A question that comes to mind is, how do the bait shops get away with selling live bait. Most minnows are not caught from from the same lake they are purchased from. Is it because The customer could be using them in a private tank, or an area that is not regulated by tpwd? Any insight would be great, and thank you guys.

I�m guessing they are required to buy them from fish farms and there�s a paper trail from the sellers.

Why don�t you just cast net from the boat ramp, 100% legal then.

This ^^^ or contact the Game Warden and ask them your question as to why bait shops can get away with selling bait that isn't caught from the local lake.
There are too many rules and regulations that are required to be followed, and their business at stake for them to be selling bait illegally, unless they have all the proper permits.

I watch a lot of "Lonestar Law" on TV!

Nobody on this forum that has tried answering your question is trying to be a smart arse, as someone implied in their post, and that one person didn't contribute anything to the conversation, as you posted the same question on another forum section. Since TPWD is cracking down on this, we are only trying to give you information to keep you from getting into trouble with the Game Warden.
When it comes to questions about the law, or not understanding how it applies, it's best to ask a Game Warden and hear it from the horses mouth so to speak.

Between the 2 phones numbers I sent him, he should be good now. Easier to use cut carp anyways vs trying to catch perch and keep them all alive. I know this new law sure did change how we do trot lines & jug lines!

Thank you grout scout, you have been very helpful, and I appreciate you take the time.

Jimbo, as I mentioned, Im not trying anything. Once i knew it was illegal, i was investing my time solely for information. Posted on both forums, because it just made sense to get the most traffic to the question. I didnt mean that bait shops were "getting away" with selling bait, i just meant that if they are doing it, then there is a process in place, and I wanted to be informed on it. While the rules are very clear, there is still some grey area, which i guess can go with anything, and everything in life. I think the bait situation is resolved now, and should not be a problem locating it. Thank you for your insight, and helping out. I appreciate it.