Are Cicadas Good Fishing Bait? (Find Out)

Cicadas are a group of insects that appear every 13 or 17 years. The cicadas that we see in our gardens are harmless and only last for a few weeks. 

However, scientists have discovered that there are many different types of cicadas, some of which do harm to plants and animals. 

Cicada numbers have increased over recent years because they breed faster than before due to global warming. So if you want to catch one for fishing bait then read on!

LIVE Bait vs. ARTIFICIAL Lures!!! (Cicada Fishing) – YouTube
Takeaways
Cicadas can be effective bait for fishing, especially during cicada hatches.
Fish species like bass and trout are known to actively feed on cicadas.
Rigging a cicada for fishing involves using a standard hook or specialized cicada hook.
Cicadas are primarily used for freshwater fishing, particularly in areas where cicada hatches occur.
The best time to use cicadas as bait is during a cicada hatch event.
Various techniques, such as casting near overhanging trees or using surface presentations, can be employed when fishing with cicadas.

Are Cicadas Good Fishing Bait?

Cicadas are great for fishing. They’re easy to find, since they are all over the place at this time of year. 

You can catch them with a net, with a hook, or even by hand. If you don’t have any other bait and you find some cicadas on your property then it’s perfectly legal to use them as fishing bait!

When it comes to fishing, the right bait can make all the difference. Check out our comprehensive guide on choosing the best fishing bait to increase your chances of success and reel in the big catch.

Do You Know Where You Can Find Cicadas?

You might be asking yourself, “Do cicadas really work as fishing bait?” Well, the answer is yes! Cicadas are found in the southern and eastern parts of the United States. 

They can also be found in Canada and many parts of Europe. However, you will not find them in the northern part of the country because they cannot survive there due to cold weather conditions.

This insect is easy to catch because it stays on trees during its life cycle stages: nymphs live under bark and adults usually fly around looking for mates during summer months (June through August).

LocationAvailability
ParksHigh
ForestsHigh
Wooded AreasHigh
Residential AreasModerate
GardensModerate

How Do You Catch Cicadas?

Cicadas are easy to catch. You can use your hands, a net or a fishing rod. If you have a butterfly net, it will be easier for you to catch cicadas because they are more likely to fly away when they hear the sound of beating wings.

If you don’t have a butterfly net, then just use your hands or stick and scoop up the bugs from their hiding places under rocks or leaves on tree branches in your backyard.

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How Many Kinds Of Cicadas Are There?

Cicadas are a group of insects with soft bodies and long, thin legs. Cicadas belong to the order Hemiptera, which also includes aphids, leaf hoppers and whiteflies. 

Cicada have piercing-sucking mouthparts that they use to feed on plant fluids. Cicada can be found in every continent except Antarctica; however they are most abundant in temperate regions and tropical climates with deciduous trees or shrubs (trees that lose their leaves each year).

The cicada life cycle consists of four stages: egg, nymph (larva), adult male and adult female. 

The female lays her eggs on branches of trees where they remain until spring when hatching occurs; this process takes between 2-6 weeks depending on species type and environmental conditions such as temperature range during spring when egg hatching occurs.

What Do Cicada Sounds Like?

Cicadas are loud. Cicadas are annoying. Cicadas are not good for fishing bait.

They sound like a buzzing and you can hear them wherever they fly, but they don’t make any sound underwater or under the ground where people can’t hear them. 

If you try to catch one with your bare hands, it will bite you, so if you have gloves on then it won’t bite you and won’t hurt your hand when they do this thing where they jump off into the air before landing back down again on top of something else again (which might be what makes them so annoying).

SpeciesSound Description
MagicicadaBuzzing, high-pitched, chorusing sound
TibicenLoud, buzzing, continuous sound
OkanaganaHigh-pitched, buzzing, pulsating sound
DiceroproctaRapid, metallic, ticking sound
NeotibicenBuzzing, rhythmic, pulsating sound

Are All Cicadas Green And Black?

Cicadas are insects that have a brownish/black body, a pair of membranous wings and long antennae. 

They can vary from green to yellow, red to black and even brown or gray. Cicadas are also characterized by their piercing mouthparts which they use to suck sap from trees and plants.

While most cicada species only live for two or three years, some species may live up to 17 years!

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Are Cicadas Good For Catching Fish?

Cicadas are a good bait for fishing. Cicada bait is also known as cicada chum, cicada sauce, or cicada stew. Cicada chum comes in different forms including raw and cooked varieties. 

Raw cicadas are like fly maggots while cooked ones are similar to chicken wings or fried chicken legs.

Cicadas can be caught by hand or with a net if you want them alive until you’re ready to use them for fishing purposes. 

If you catch them with your hands then just remember not to squeeze too hard since their exoskeletons aren’t very strong so it’s easy for them to break open from pressure applied directly onto the body (especially when they’re squished against one another).

How Do You Catch A Fish With A Worm?

Find a fishing spot

Attach the hook to your line using a knot and then cast it into the water. You’ll know you’re doing this correctly if you hear a splash when the hook lands in the water.

Reel in your line by moving it back up toward your hand (or reel). If there’s something on the end of your line, you should feel resistance as you go along. 

As soon as there’s no more resistance, that means something has gotten caught on your hook! If not, try again until something does get stuck on there it should be pretty obvious when it happens!

When something is attached to your hook, reel in slowly and carefully so that you don’t lose whatever’s been caught on there! 

Once you’ve got it close enough for inspection, see if what was caught is actually edible; if not throw back any non-edible items such as plastic bottles or rocks/stones/etcetera . . . these can damage fish guts and intestines very badly!

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When Is The Best Time To Catch A Fish?

The best time to catch a fish is when the water is still, calm and clear. The sun should be out, or at least not behind any clouds. 

If there’s no sun, it’s okay if you want to try fishing at night because there are usually still some moonlight that’s coming down on the water.

It also helps if it rains sometimes because then you can see how calm it looks when everything is wet and shiny like glass!

SeasonBest Time to Catch Fish
SpringEarly morning or evening
SummerEarly morning or late evening
FallMorning or evening
WinterMidday

Is It Legal To Use Live Bait When Fishing?

It’s legal to use live bait when fishing. If you want to fish with cicadas, you can. It’s also legal to use worms and minnows, as well as crickets and other insects, for bait in some places where fishing is allowed.

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Conclusion

Cicadas are a great source of protein for fish. You can catch them yourself or buy them from a store and use them as bait in your next fishing trip.

If you want to know more about cicadas or how to catch them, then keep reading! We hope this article has been helpful.

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources and articles for further reading on the topic of using cicadas as fishing bait:

  • Cicadas Invasion: How It Affects Fishing in Pennsylvania: Explore the impact of cicada invasions on fishing in Pennsylvania, including insights on how trout, bass, and other predatory fish respond to this natural phenomenon.
  • Cicadas: A Fantastic Fishing Opportunity: Discover the exciting fishing opportunities that cicada hatches present. This article explores tips and techniques for effectively using cicadas as bait and highlights success stories from anglers.
  • Atomic Cicada Lure: Enhance Your Fishing Experience: Learn about the Atomic Cicada Lure, a specialized fishing lure designed to mimic the appearance and movements of cicadas. Find out how this lure can attract various fish species and improve your chances of a successful catch.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about using cicadas as fishing bait:

Are cicadas a reliable bait for fishing?

Yes, cicadas can be a reliable bait for fishing, especially during cicada hatches. Fish species such as bass and trout are known to actively feed on these insects, making them an enticing option for anglers.

How should I rig a cicada for fishing?

To rig a cicada for fishing, you can use a standard hook or a specialized cicada hook. Insert the hook through the cicada’s body or attach it to the hook using a knot or thread. The rigging method may vary depending on the fishing technique and the specific cicada imitation lure used.

Can cicadas be used for all types of fishing?

Cicadas are primarily used for freshwater fishing, particularly in areas where cicada hatches occur. They are commonly used to target fish species such as bass, trout, and carp that are known to feed on cicadas during these periods.

When is the best time to use cicadas as bait?

The best time to use cicadas as bait is during a cicada hatch, which typically occurs every few years. This natural event provides a unique opportunity for anglers to take advantage of the abundance of cicadas and the heightened feeding activity of fish.

Are there any specific techniques for fishing with cicadas?

Yes, there are various techniques for fishing with cicadas. One popular method is to cast near overhanging trees or vegetation where cicadas tend to fall into the water. Additionally, anglers may use surface presentations, such as topwater lures or dry flies, to imitate the movement of cicadas and entice fish to strike.