Learn 6 proven ways to hook a live shiner for bass fishing, from dorsal fin to tail hooking, from the pros at Get Hooked Bait & Tackle in Ocoee, FL.

How to Hook Live Bait

How to Hook Shiners

Shiners need oxygenated water, so keep them in an aerated bucket. If you’re heading out right away, you can use other containers — just avoid plastic on a hot day, since it can overheat the water inside.

6 Ways to Hook a Shiner

1. Dorsal fin hook. Hooking through the meaty part of the dorsal fin lets the shiner swim near the surface — he may even come up and splash. Placement matters here: when a bass strikes, let him take it in fully before setting the hook, rather than striking on the first bump.

2. Lip and air hole hook. This looks the most natural, and bass tend to hit the head first. It also keeps the shiner in a more general area instead of swimming far.

3. Casting tip. Avoid a long overhead cast that causes the shiner to splat on the water — an underhand toss lets the bait behave more naturally.

4. Head hook. Similar to the lip hook but through the harder part of the head — a more solid hookset with a bit more action from the bait.

5. Anal fin hook. Similar to the dorsal fin method, but easier to pull the hook out cleanly. Works especially well around vegetation and pads. Lifting your rod tip or moving it side to side will send the shiner deeper.

6. Tail hook. Makes the shiner swim more actively, though the hookset ratio isn’t as strong as other methods — again, let the bass fully take the bait before setting the hook.

Each method has trade-offs depending on how much you want the shiner to swim, how long you’re keeping bait for, and whether you want an aggressive strike or a bass that plays with the bait first.

Our pick for live bait hooks: Get Hooked Magic Baits

A quick tip for keeping shiners lively: mix in some of your local lake water with their bucket water to help them adjust before you start fishing — it’ll extend how long they stay lively compared to dropping them straight in.