Tadpoles

[mute]

So while i was fishing i seen massive amounts of black tadpoles in the still water. And i must say, the action of them swimming around looks like it would be so triggersome on trout. Has anyone ever tried this?

I know this is a bait question, but im just wondering if its a common bait use or not. It seems like if everyone is using the common minnows, worms, powerbait and spinners technique. That if someone threw one of these bad boys in the mix it could prove to be promising. I just have no idea how you would even hook them without killing them.

 

[NoMoreCornChuckin]

Toad tadpoles are toxic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_toad

 

[bam]

Never used them, but I'm sure they're a common food for fish from sunnies to trout to bass. Take a size 16 nymph hook and a little bit of black or olive marabou. Tie a small tail, wrap the marabou around the hook and tie off at the head. 30 second tie and you're done.

 

[pcray1231]

As was said, the masses of the little black tadpoles you see along the edges and slow areas of moving water are American Toad tadpoles. They are toxic. One tadpole may not be enough to be deadly to a fish, but it surely doesn't taste good to them and they'll learn to avoid them quickly. If they made a habit of eating them, they would surely die. The adults are toxic as well, thats why its very bad if a cat or dog eats a toad. Some snakes seem to do ok with them, though.

Frog tadpoles are eaten by fish, as are frogs. Our local frogs are technically toxic as well, but not nearly to the extent as the toad, and fish will feed on them given the chance. Because of that, frogs tend to prefer fishless areas to lay their eggs, which probably keeps the tadpoles from being important food sources. But in isolated places where there are no fishless waters around, like farm ponds for instance, they may become more important. The frogs themselves are definitely important, for bass especially, when they make their way to permanent, fish infested waters as the temporary pools dry up in mid summer.