Canned crickets can turn a fishing fail into a catch of the day

Hook through the cricket’s thorax and you might get up to three in a larger hook for effective bottom fishing.

Some anglers call it “backup” or “emergency” bait.

These canned crickets are hermetically sealed and go through a sterilisation process during canning, much like regular canned food.

So, as long as you don’t pop open the lid, you can store them indefinitely in your tackle box or car without worrying about spoilage.

They come in handy, for example, when you “balik kampung” and spot a canal or pond in your hometown that seems to be teeming with fish.

You might have a rod and reel on standby in your car, but artificial lures may not work and fresh bait can be hard to find.

This is when your can of crickets can be a lifesaver.

You can easily buy a can or two from your favourite online shopping platform; they typically cost between RM5 and RM8, depending on the retailer.

There aren’t any particular brands – most labels simply say “Canned Crickets”.

Though harder to do, carefully piercing the hook through the head and bringing the hook point out at the abdomen might ensure a better hooking rate.

One crucial detail: these crickets are marketed as pet food for lizards, fish, snakes, birds and amphibians, so they come in various sizes.

Some cans contain small crickets, just over 1cm long, meant for feeding tiny pets.

As an angler, baiting your hook with such small crickets can be a pain.

Look for cans labelled “Extra Big” to get crickets around 3cm long – perfect for fishing.

Since canned crickets are cooked during sterilisation – imagine trays of cans heated beyond 100°C – they require specific techniques for hooking.

The thorax, the firmest part of the cricket’s body, is the best place to pierce. Hook through this segment crosswise to keep the bait intact against pesky nibblers.

You can also thread three or more crickets along the hook shank, ideal for bottom fishing.

You’ll easily find over 100 crickets in a can.

For float-fishing or river angling, a better method is to pierce the hook through the cricket’s head, sliding it along the bend and out through the abdomen.

This technique is tricky to do if you have arthritis or poor vision, but it keeps your bait secure, even in strong currents.

A key point: once opened, canned crickets are vulnerable to bacteria and fungi.

With over 100 crickets in a can, you probably won’t use them all in one session.

Store the rest in the fridge as soon as you get home.

However, if you notice white, cottony fungus forming, discard the can as it may contain harmful toxins.

The next time you hit the road with your tackle, consider packing a can of crickets. They might just be the bait that saves the day!