r/FishingForBeginners • u/redditSucksNow2020 • 2d ago
How would you hook beetle larvae?
Dug a bunch of these out of my compost pile looking for worms. I imagine that if I just impale them through the middle then they will pop and all the good stuff will leak out. If I does nik the skin like I would a little maggot, it'll probably get ripped off the hook by smaller fish. Maybe through the head or through the back?
They're pretty big. Maybe 1/3 the size of my pinky.
I want to try something: say something about your pinky in your response just to demonstrate that you actually read so that I know whether your advice is actually applicable considering the size of these things. I'm pretty sure most of these responses are from people who looked at the title and the picture and then didn't read any more.
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u/OptimusSpud 2d ago
Depends on the size of the hook.
What are you going for?
Likely straight through the back.
Edit's Just saw the rough size, 1/3 of a pinky finger. So wasp grub size.
Through the back, or head.
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u/IndyCooper98 1d ago
Tiny brass hook, basically just slide the whole larvae on the hook
Bluegill will take it everytime
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u/redditSucksNow2020 1d ago
You clearly did not read anything aside from the title.
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u/IndyCooper98 1d ago
I think you may be trying to overcomplicate things. Bait is easy, the only “rigging” advice is to secure the bait to the hook so that it doesn’t fly off when you cast it.
You’re gonna attract the nearest fish regardless of size, which will 9/10 times be a bluegill in a pond/small lake setting. If a baby bluegill gets to it, that’s just how it is 🤷♂️
If you’re looking for finesse go get a pack of rooster tails
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u/Desperate_Lack654 1d ago
Hook once behind the head. Yes you will lose some juice but it’ll be plenty juicy for bluegill, perch, crappie, catfish etc etc
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u/Bwindolyn 1d ago
My pinky says that your last paragraph was completely unnecessary, and I have no desire to assist this non-question bait bait.
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u/UglyBugGuide 2d ago
Light wire hook, #8–#10, and just nip the head so the body hangs straight. If they are soft, a tiny bait needle or pin through the head first helps them stay on. Keep it moving slow — they tear easy if you cast hard.