Tent caterpillars as bait?

[FishLocker]

Hey all, I looked up natural predators for the tent caterpillar, and fish was listed. Has anyone tried them? They are certainly free and in large numbers in the spring! If they work, I want to freeze a couple tents worth to use in the winter too!

Thanks in advance for your input,

The FishLocker

[bobbymalone]

don't see why they wouldn't work, especially for pannies or something that will eat almost anything.

freezing though? I think you would get back a bunch of mush when they thawed out.

[FishLocker]

If the skin holds up...the fist nibble should release "chum juice" . The rest of the day should be a limit!;-) If the skin is also degraded, I will try hooking still semi-frozen. Free caterpillars as bait is like trapping your own minnows...I will try it once. If it works, I will let everyone know!

Good call on the possibility of thawing out as mush.

[Brad B]

I see them falling in the river at montissippi park all the time. and it seems like right at dark the small mouth come in and have a feeding feast right on the surface. it could be other insects also thou but I have seen the tent swimming by the pier during this time.