Live bait fish

Black Salty Baitfish

A patented, farm-raised baitfish for fresh and salt water, in three sizes, from $99.

Call 1-800-206-4666Ask the farm

What is a Black Salty, and who came up with it?

The Black Salty is a scientifically developed, farm-raised baitfish, and it is patented. The farm's species guide credits I.F. Anderson Farms owner Neal Anderson as its originator and calls it his “innovative, all-purpose brainchild.” It is raised in Lonoke, Arkansas, on the same farm that grades golden shiners and fatheads by width.

The farm states its case in one line: “It's a fact: If it eats baitfish, it will eat a Black Salty.” The store lists it from $99, and it is the one bait fish with its own phone line, 1-877-GO-SALTY (1-877-467-2589), next to the main number, 1-800-20-MINNO (1-800-206-4666).

Which fish does it work on, and which size should you buy?

In fresh water the farm points to largemouth bass, catfish, striped bass and hybrid stripers. Offshore in the Gulf and the Atlantic it lists king mackerel, cobia, red snapper, dorado and tuna. In the bays it names speckled trout, redfish and flounder.

Three sizes cover that range. Small runs about 30 to the pound at 2 to 3½ inches. Large runs about 15 to the pound at 3½ to 5 inches. The XLarge, called the Magnum, runs about 9 to the pound at 5 to 7 inches. The farm grades every fish by width, so length and counts are approximate.

How long will they stay alive before you fish them?

The farm says Black Salties keep alive for days, and even weeks, with clean fresh water and bubble aeration. Set up the holding tank before the box arrives. Use a well-aerated tank of fresh water, add a chlorine and chloramine remover if your water comes from a municipal supply, and keep the tank in shade around the clock or in an air-conditioned building. The right tank volume depends on the water temperature.

Orders ship from Lonoke on Mondays and Thursdays, and they must be in by 10:00 a.m. Central on the day of shipping. FedEx overnight brings them to your door, and the farm guarantees its fish to arrive alive and healthy.

A single Black Salty baitfish, side view, on a white background

A single Black Salty baitfish, side view, on a white background

Anderson Minnows, Lonoke. Call 1-800-206-4666.