Crickets
Also called: grasshoppers
Live insects that bluegill and other panfish love, simple to fish under a bobber in summer.
- Type
- Live & Natural Bait
- Target fish
- Panfish, Trout & Salmon
- Skill
- Beginner-friendly
- Depth
- Surface to a few feet
- Best seasons
- Summer
Note: Rules on live bait differ by state and water body, and many places limit which baitfish and other bait you can use and move between waters. Never dump leftover bait into a lake or stream, since it can spread invasive species and disease. Check your state's current rules.
When it works best
- For bluegill, sunfish, and other panfish in summer.
- When fish are feeding near the surface or around shade and docks.
- For trout in streams where legal.
How to fish it
- Hook the cricket gently under its collar, behind the head.
- Fish it under a small bobber near cover.
- Let it kick and swim on its own.
- Set the hook when the bobber goes under.
Tips
- Keep crickets cool and in a ventilated container.
- Small hooks work best for panfish.
- Grasshoppers work the same way in late summer.
Common mistakes
- Hooking the cricket through the body, which kills it.
- Letting the bait sit in a hot car.
- Using a hook that is too large.
Gear
An ultralight rod with 4- to 6-pound line and a small bobber is a good match.
Often confused with
- Waxworms: soft grubs used mostly for ice fishing and small panfish.
Fish it catches
Field notes
Crickets are fun to fish because you can watch the bait and the fish. Fishing them under a bobber is a classic way to introduce kids to fishing.
Related guides
What works varies by water, season, and the fish that day, so use this as a starting point. Regulations on live bait, hook type and number, lead tackle, and baitfish transport differ by state and water body. Check your state's current fishing rules; our state resources directory links to each state's official regulations and license portal.