Small Redfin as live bait for Trout

[Walnuts]

Hi, as the title says, are small (30-50mm) redfin any good as live bait for trout? I was down at Devilbend Reservoir today and not having much luck with various lures so I put the baitcatcher in just to see what I'd come up with and got about half a dozen tiny redfin in it. Only tried fishing with them for a short time before I had to leave. Am I wasting my time using these as bait?

[Hooked-Up]

hi mate dunno if its the same in VIC but in NSW we cant use any live fish as bait in inland waters.

[Walnuts]

Nah we can use live bait down here, I just don't know if they are any good.

[foolforjesus]

Hi Mate, I used to live in Carrum Downs, I was waiting for them to open devilbend, but moved to Sydney before they did around 4 years ago.

Shame too, as you know it is literally 30 minutes up the road from Carrum Downs!

As for Redfin as bait, I'm not sure. I would say that the small (3-4 inch) fish would be, however never fished them as live bait for Trout.

I reckon you'd be better of getting some 3 inch powerbait minnows and fish them very lightly weighted with a 1/40 hidden weight jig head. Fish it with a twitch twitch, pause style retrieve.

Deadly method for minnow feeding Trout. I had a look on the net, looks good the ol bend, good sized Trout in there now too.

[Hooked-Up]

trout will smash them redfin for sure mate if theyre 3-5cm theyl be in trouble especially if a brown finds it.

[Walnuts]

Thanks for the replies, probably going back tomorrow so will take another rod to try the redfin as bait and will pick up some powerbait on the way. Will post back and let you know how I go.

[Walnuts]

Didn't get a bite all day! Kids jumping in the water around where we were fishing probably wasn't helping matters either Only got two small redfin in the bait net late in the day so didnt get much of a chance to try them out. Might head back this weekend and try again.