I used to use cat food as well, not the dry type though. I would punch holes in the top of the can (small holes),, (Favorite Flavour - tuna/mackeral in OIL, stay away from the meats obviously)...shake the minnow trap to release some more flavour, you can also see how many you have (roughly) when you shake or move the trap. You'll see the silver in their sides. Use plastic zip ties to keep the can centered. I've also used onion bags w/zip ties to keep the bait centralized. Any old bait will help (Pogies/Squid/Mackerel/etc). Bread also worked well...then again so did potato chips
And yes, I've also caught them with an empty cat food can still in the trap. Don't over-bait the trap or they'll just swim above it and enjoy the floating buffet.
Once I graduted to the "Ring Net" it was all over. From Silversides to MummyChogs....Shrimp to Butterfish, It was a blast catching bait when I was chasing every and any species.
Why did I have to get bit by the Striper Bug???
...it finally happened, there are no more secret spots
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