those things are not cheap nowadays.. I am wondering if any of you supply your own bait by catching them by a lake/pond?

I throw a cast net (ugly, but it gets the job done), but I usually catch bait-just not minnows( mesh is too large )
I bought a seine net last year and that does better in some situations--just not always reliable and I need two people to do it, plus water temps to be considered.

I also have a minnow trap, but usually just get small perch
(sunfish, bream, whatever)which do make great bait.
This is the first year I started doing this and I am having very poor results during this cold weather--somebody else may shed some light on why.
My 2 cents.

thanks for the info bbop111. sounds like cast net is a way to do it... I might just start learning to use artificial baits...

Go to one of the local creeks with a dip net with a long handle Lowes has them by the pond area.I have let the kids do this when it is warmer weather.They are fast ,but better than paying high prices for them.

Thats a very good idea MJHartman!

When I want some minnows out at a lake i use my 1/4 in. mesh cast net. Then i look for some grassy or weeded areas and cast as close to them as i can. I also use a minnow net on a long handle for catching minnows that are real close to rocks down below dams. I use a rubber hose and make a slit along the full length of it. Then I put it on the frame and secure it with plastic ties. This way the rocks will not tear your net all up. Then you can probe right up against the rocks for the minnows. works real well. This is a real good way to get some of them red horse minnows also.

Dang--
I like that idea too CatfishMike!

Buying is easiest.

hmm... anyone use this kinda minnow trap, steel minnow trap?

Do they work well?

http://lakefish.net/catalogue12.htm

They work as good as any. I've caught alot of minnows and perch with one.

When my brother and I were kids, we used a long-handle dip net along with bread to lure the minnows in. We'd put the net under water and the bread on top of the water above the net -- when enough minnows are above the net eating the bread, just lift the net and you'll catch most of them.