Where did all the bait stores go?

[Russell]

First of all thanks Stan for the guided tour of the lake this morning it was awesome. Ive been here for over a year on Schofield and with this nice sized fresh water lake in the middle of the ocean Ive only found one bait and tackle store near by and he never has bait or tackle in so I was wondering if anyone knows of a stocked bait store close to the lake. Oh yeah someone please enlighten me on how to catch some bait fish in the lake.
Thanks in advance

[dytani]

Hi Russell,
Awhile back, Stan Wright suggested using an inexpensive bait trap you can purchase at fishing supply stores. The one I bought is cylindrical with conical entrances for the bait to enter at both ends. It breaks in the middle to put in the bread and take the bait out.
Look for streams or canals where the tilapia or medaka hang out. Toss a small piece of bread to attract them. Put a piece of bread in the trap, toss it into the water (attach a small line to it first) and wait for the tilapia to enter it and eat the bread up then pull it up. For me, it is the easiest way to catch tilapia.

Denis

BTW Stan I know I should have thanked you for the tip earlier, and I didn't, so I'm thanking you now. Aloha and mahalo.

[Stan Wright]

Thanks for the company, it's always more fun to share your fishing adventure (or boat ride) with someone. LOL

I've caught the mosquito fish using a large red dip net. Put some bread in the water to attract them and then take a swift swipe with the net. Or put the net in the water and put the bread over where the net is and wait for the bait.

I've seen a lot of you guys use super small hooks (ask for Oama hooks in the store.) and a small hand pole to catch the bait fish along the edge of the lake. One guy was using shrimp (Opai) and some others were using worms or magets.

I've never been to successful at that. I'll stick with my minnow traps and light bread.

Aloha,
Stan

[typical8o8]

a long time ago Wahiawa Sporting Goods was a good shop. the owner recently had a stroke and it's been downhill ever since. i primarily fish from shore near the boat ramp so live bait is the way to go. the closer you get to schofield & the north fork the more lure-friendly the fish become. there are a number of ways to catch live bait at the lake (throw nets are illegal on the lake).

1) use a tiny hook baited with a tiny piece of an earthworm to catch small tilapia, cichlid, bluegill, or red devil
2) catch baby tilapia (~5mm long) with a net and use that as bait to catch cichlids, bluegill, or red devils (not all are "red")
3) catch cichlids with a piece of plastic (you need the technique & know-how for this)

if you plan to catch live bait with traps or nets, you are better off doing so at streams & reservoirs around the island. we used to go to waipahu, palolo, kunia, waialua, aiea, etc to catch mosquito fish & tilapia. the fastest way to catch the most bait is with the opae net that has 2 bamboo sticks attached to it. have someone go downstream with the net to set up and you go upstream to scare the minnows into the net.