Fishing with Shiners: A Traditional Angling Method in Pakistan

Casinopakisra

Shiners are small, silvery fish commonly used as live bait in fishing across Pakistan. These baitfish are particularly effective for catching larger predatory species like mahseer, trout, and various catfish found in Pakistani waters.

In local fishing culture, shiners are often caught using small nets or traps in shallow waters before being used as bait. Traditional anglers in regions like Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have developed specific techniques for keeping shiners alive and active during fishing trips.

Many Pakistani fishermen prefer using shiners because their bright, reflective scales and natural swimming motion attract larger fish more effectively than artificial lures. This method is especially popular in rivers like the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab where native fish species respond well to live bait.

The use of shiners reflects the broader fishing traditions in Pakistan, where knowledge about local fish behavior and bait selection is often passed down through generations of fishing families.