Black Soldier Fly Larvae as Fishing Bait

Anglers have used maggots and mealworms for generations. Black soldier fly larvae are less familiar and, for several species, work better.

Why They Work on a Hook

• The skin is tough enough to stay on. A soft-bodied larva bursts when hooked. BSFL hold.
• They stay active. Movement is what triggers a take, and BSFL keep wriggling after being hooked.
• They keep well. Refrigerated, they hold for weeks in a dormant state and revive when they warm up.
• They are naturally in the water. Insects fall in and get eaten — this is not an artificial presentation.

What Takes Them

Panfish — bluegill, crappie, perch — take them readily. Trout will. Carp and catfish will take them fished on the bottom. Anything that eats insects is a candidate.

Practical Notes

• Hook through the tougher end, not through the middle.
• Two or three on a small hook presents better than one for panfish.
• Keep them cool at the water. Warm larvae become active and then exhaust themselves; a cooler keeps them dormant and lasting.
• Dried BSFL work as groundbait even where live larvae are the hookbait.

One Warning

Check local regulations before using any live bait. Rules on live bait, and particularly on transporting it between water bodies, vary considerably and exist for good reasons. Never release unused larvae into or near a waterway.

On storage, see how long BSFL last in the fridge.