Pinfish- Quick Start Guide

Where to Set Your Trap

Pinfish prefer:

• Nearshore grass flats

• Seagrass beds

• Dock pilings

• Channels with slow current

Look for areas with structure and food sources — pinfish like to hover around cover.

How to Bait It

Pinfish are opportunistic eaters, so use strong-scent baits like:

• chunks of shrimp

• fish scraps

• commercially available bait blocks

• Fried chicken

• Bait slop made of things like:

  • dog food

  • cat food

  • veggie oil

  • glitter (yes, glitter)

  • water

  • oats

• Canned cat food​

Place the bait in the internal bait well to draw fish inside and keep them there.

How to Deploy the Trap

1. Attach the buoy and rope securely. If you don't have a buoy check out our high-density PVC buoys here

2. Lower the trap slowly into 3–10 feet of water.

3. Keep the rope taught but not tight — you want the buoy visible without pulling the trap off the bottom.

4. Let it soak for 1–2 hours — pinfish tend to find bait quickly.

5. Return and retrieve straight up to minimize escape.

Tips for Safety & Success

• Check local baitfish harvesting regulations before setting traps. Visit our state quick links!

• Avoid leaving traps unattended for too long.

• Use a net to gently transfer pinfish from the trap to your livewell.

Using Your Pinfish

Once caught, pinfish make excellent live bait:

• Hook them through the lip or back to keep them alive longer.

• Use them to target game species that feed on schooling bait.

Pro Advice - keep your pinfish fed to prevent chewed tails!