So if you could only take 4 lures on your next trip, one lure to focus on each of the 4 grand slam fish, what lure do you take for each fish?

For example......

Smallmouth - Zman scented jerk ShadZ ( Zulu Rig )

Walleye - Gulp scented leech

Northern Pike - Bullfrog Lucky 13

Laker - One ounce white hair jig

Geez Mike! Not the easiest question to answer but here is mine as of now.

Smallies- Rapala Fat Rap in Black and Gold (I might have the last one in existence since they no longer make them)

Walleye - Sausage Head Jig Tipped with Leech

Northern - Jointed Rapala in Black and Silver

Laker - never caught one (yet) so jury is out on that one

I say I'm going to down size my tackle every year and never do but this is a great question. I never fish for just Pike so would include an extra bait for whatever hit.

Walleye - Lipless crankbait (Duo Realis)
Lakers - Rapala Tail Dancer (Purpledescent)
Smallies - Whopper Plopper
Extra - Paddle tail swimbait

Smallmouth Bass-Zara Super Spook in bass color
Walleye-slip bobber set up with a plastic worm
Pike-Mepps spinner
Laker-Rapala Tail Dancer In purple color

Smallmouth - Hula Popper
Walleye - Slip bobber rig
Northern - Red and white daredevil
Laker - Laker Taker

Smallmouth - 4” wacky rig

Walleye - slip bobber with leech if I can bring bait, jig with ripple shad if not

Pike - rapala skitter pop (might “accidentally” catch a bass with it)

Laker - rapala super deep taildancer

PeaceFrog: "Smallies- Rapala Fat Rap in Black and Gold (I might have the last one in existence since they no longer make them)"

I just revived an old rusted FR7 Black/Gold Fat Rap I had with new trebles to bring this year so sorry for making yours 1 of 2 in existence. I'm also trying out Mike's Zulu rig for the first time on our trip this May.

Smallies: Super Spook Jr
Walleye: A leech tipped jig is hard to beat - chartreuse if I had to pick a color
Pike: Spinnerbait (rarely target just pike but catch plenty)
Laker: Haven't fished for these much but have a super deep tail dancer when the opportunity presents itself

I'll throw a consolation prize out for a firetiger rattletrap. We've caught a lot of bass and walleye on these on our last couple trips when the bite was otherwise slow.

Hmmmm... this is a tough one. I'm not great at walleye or laker fishing.

Smallmouth - Whopper Plopper
Walleye - Leech slip bobber rig
Northern Pike - ZMan Chatterbait
Laker - White paddle tail swimbait

I also could swap one of these out for a firetiger lipless crankbait (in my case a Rattlin Rap). I've caught walleye and lakers on them and I'm sure if I was around bass or pike at the time, they would eat it too.

Cool thread, Mike. I really am an amateur at recognizing/naming lures so please excuse my generic response.

Smallmouth: Mepps Spinner (#5?) Not sure on the #, but something medium-sized in the Mepps world.

Pike: Any top-water Rapala is a blast for me with Pike.

Walleye: Roadrunner - white or chartreuse-colored has always produced for me.

Laker: Some type of basic silver spoon.

AirPrex: "

PeaceFrog: "Smallies- Rapala Fat Rap in Black and Gold (I might have the last one in existence since they no longer make them)"

I just revived an old rusted FR7 Black/Gold Fat Rap I had with new trebles to bring this year so sorry for making yours 1 of 2 in existence. I'm also trying out Mike's Zulu rig for the first time on our trip this May.


Nice! It has been killer on the smallies in my local streams over the years.

I'm torn on a some, but everything could be used for another fish below

Smallie - 3.25" - Bizz Baits Ned Dizzy (Ned Rig) - Custom Green Pumpkin Green on a 1/8oz Straight-up Ned Head jig - This could catch Pike as well...

Walter - Gulp scented leech on black jig head - this could catch Smallies and Pike

Peter - Smithwick Suspending Rattlin' Rogue - 4-1/2'' - Purple Darter - this could catch Walters, smallies, and lakers

Larry - 1/4oz Cleo silver spoon - this could catch Walters and Peters...

I'm really torn with the Smallie set-up. I could also be tempted to take:
BizzBaits 3.25" Baby Bizz Bug in Custom Green Pumpkin Green - on either a 1/8oz Straight-up Ned Head jig, or a Bizz Baits Mel Mel Craw football Jig


...How many rod and reel combos are we allowed to bring? LOL

Grub
Leech
X-Rap
Little Cleo

Always with the good questions. I start to say this is a tough question but in reality I only throw a couple lures and target each species with one or two lure presentations 90% of the time anyways. I bring a lot of tackle up as you have to be prepared but I could really trim it down some. My 4 lures would be...

Lake Trout: 1/2 oz white jigging spoon (am not a serious lake trout fisherman and have only caught around a dozen) Will likely hunt big lake trout in the future.

Smallmouth: This is the most difficult one for me. My preference has changed a lot over the years. As of right now I would say ned rig would be my biggest go to Smallie lure lately. Black and blue flake.

Walleye: Slip bobber and leech. if no live bait 1/4 oz jig and swimbait.

Northern Pike: I am not a pike fisherman. I have caught my fair share but can count on one hand how many times I have actually targeted them. I would probably say some big white spinner bait. Catching big pike is fun but I have not broke 40" yet. A couple 39" caught on accident were fun.

Answers based on May tripping.

S - strike king coffee scented tube jigs
W - hair jig with live leech
P - orange jig head with fire tiger 3” powerbait twitch tail minnow
L - little Cleo

I’m locked in and owning above but adding honorable mentions.
Zulu subsurface rig for big SMB
Jighead and Berkeley 3” ripple shad firetiger for Walleye
Heddon lucky #13 for pike and big bass

Orange jig head with fire tiger 3” powerbait has caught all 4 species

I have over 25 Fat Raps. I worked at Bass Pro and they clearanced them out to make room for new lures about 15 years ago. Same thing happened with Risto Raps.

Smallie - Bass Stopper Lures, Rigged 5 1/2" rubber worm
Lake Trout - Luhr Jensen Krocodile Spoon (Red and Gold)
Walleye - Lindy Rig with a crawler harness
Brook Trout - Red Vibrax inline spinner

Smallmouth: Orange F13 Rapala

Pike: Spinnerbait for easier unhooking and casting into cabbage

Walleye: TGO is the way to go.

Lakers: Any crankbait with a big lip

vandolomieu: "I have over 25 Fat Raps. I worked at Bass Pro and they clearanced them out to make room for new lures about 15 years ago. Same thing happened with Risto Raps.
"

Say What!!!???? That's Cool!

Peacefrog, if you find yourself in Lake County Illinois on 94 as you swing around Lake Michigan, give me a call and you can pick up an extra. 847-212-5726

This four lure question begs another question; are numbers how you value your fishing experience? Not so much numbers over size but does it matter what method you used to catch the fish. I had a Canadian Native guide almost 50 years ago who thought it was inefficient to capture fish with a rod and reel, when he went fishing he used (legally for him) a gill net under the ice. I understand that this is an extreme example. I would rather catch a fish on an artificial the on live bait; I would rather catch a fish on topwater than underwater; I would rather catch a fish with a flyrod than a conventional rod. I am not passing judgement on anyone else's preferences. My four;

Smallies Flyrod Hula Popper
Walleye Shad Rap
Pike Zara Spook
Lake Trout any deep diving minnow bait

vandolomieu: "This four lure question begs another question; are numbers how you value your fishing experience? Not so much numbers over size but does it matter what method you used to catch the fish"

In the BW - I long ago quit fishing for sport. I'm not against doing so, I just don't do it in the BW. My fishing in the BW is limited to catching a meal or two. I'll go out and once I've got a couple eaters for dinner, I quit fishing.

Regarding method, I previously fly fished in my 20's and abandon it for easier methods (dunking a worm). I'm getting back into it now in my mid 40's. The romanticism of it feels right to me, regardless of catch rates.

vandolomieu: "Peacefrog, if you find yourself in Lake County Illinois on 94 as you swing around Lake Michigan, give me a call and you can pick up an extra. 847-212-5726
"

Very generous vandolomieu. I'm heading up in June. I'll keep your number handy and if the timing is right, I'll be seeing you.
Best - PF

Four red and white daredevils

Z4K: "Four red and white daredevils"

I like your comment because I've not had luck with red and white Dardevles beyond pike, but it's cool that you use them to catch four species.

missmolly: "

Z4K: "Four red and white daredevils"

I like your comment because I've not had luck with red and white Dardevles beyond pike, but it's cool that you use them to catch four species. "

Some of my first fishing experiences were trolling out of Halstads Bay on Lake Minnetonka with my grandfather. He had a little bench seat 14 footer with an old johnson. We either had a red and white dardevil or a 5 of diamonds. Those were the only lures we used. Big reels braided line with a red and white Daredevil, was how I caught my first Northern ever...I couldn't have been more than 8 years old. One of my favorite memories.

Walleye-VMC Hammerhead Jig(Glow) minnow/leech
Northern-Daredevil(Firetiger/Silver pattern)
Smallmouth-Storm Wiggle Wart(Crawdad pattern)
Lake Trout-Little Cleo(Hammered Blue/Silver pattern)

B - Whopper Plopper
L - Silver/Green Little Cleo
P - X-Rap
W - Chartreuse Authentic Moxi - had great success with those last year on Iron and Crooked.

I enjoy seeing all of the different lures and presentations. If you don't learn something new everyday you might as well be dead :) It's always great to learn and share when it comes to fishing in the Boundary Waters!

Walleye- 1/4 oz. jig dressed with 3” double twister tail
Smallmouth- same as above
Northern-#5 Mepps silver blade (no buck tail)
Lakers- northland bionic buck tail- 1 oz.

Smallmouth...Shad Rap. Dang thing just won't leave them alone.
Northern Pike....Shad Rap. I've caught my largest pike on shad raps, both of them over 20lbs.
Walleye...Shad Rap. I've caught my second biggest walleye of my life on a shad rap.
Lake trout????The only time I have fished for them was with a dead smelt on a plain hook.

walleye 1/8oz jig twister tail
smallmouth Heddon's torpedo
pike 1/8oz jig twister tail
Lake trout blade bait
whitefish blade bait

Wallidave: "walleye 1/8oz jig twister tail
smallmouth Heddon's torpedo
pike 1/8oz jig twister tail
Lake trout blade bait
whitefish blade bait"

What is your favorite color for the torpedo?
Have you tried using the Whopper Plopper?

Smallies: Ned rig/pop frog
Wallies: jig head w/ leach or minnow
Pike: deep dive cranks\ shiny spoons
Lakers: same

If you really wanted to get minimalist, I'd say white Z-too, 3/0 light wire hook, 4/0 weighted swimbait hook, jig heads from 1/4 oz to 1 oz

Laker : little cleo/spoon gold w/blk/wht dress
smalley : bomber 8a chartreus crawdad
pike : mepps musky killer white
walleye : rapala CD9 minnow pattern/color

Smallmouth- 3/8 chartreuse double willow spinner spinner bait. Best two days of fishing EVER on SAK last May.

Walleye- jig or hook with leach or grub.

Pike- Size 14 gold husky jerk or #18 floating rapala, depending on lake.

Lakers- 1/2 or 3/4 oz hammered silver little Cleo, depending on water temperature.

My choices are based on versatility as much is anything. With these I can handle most depths, time of year and fishing from shore while windbound.

SinglePortage: "Smallmouth- 3/8 chartreuse double willow spinner spinner bait. Best two days of fishing EVER on SAK last May.


Walleye- jig or hook with leach or grub.


Pike- Size 14 gold husky jerk or #18 floating rapala, depending on lake.


Lakers- 1/2 or 3/4 oz hammered silver little Cleo, depending on water temperature.


My choices are based on versatility as much is anything. With these I can handle most depths, time of year and fishing from shore while windbound. "

Interesting on the spinner for bass on SAK. Heading there in May. Last year it was a pink worm or bust. By the end we were fishing with little pieces of worm!

Berkeley Swim Shad for Smallmouth

Mepps Number 5 with Gold Blades dressed for Pike

Jig with powerbait twister for Walleye

Blue and Silver Little Cleo for Lakers

My four are based upon versatility, as 3 of them can have an multi variety of retrieves and presentations .

Here we go!
Smallmouth: Whopper Plopper because they're so damn fun
Walleye: 3/8oz green jighead with 5" zman shadz emerald shiner color
Lake Trout: Blue/Chrome Dr. Spoon largest size as it can be vertical jigged or trolled
Northern: Really doesn't matter, those idiots will bite anything. If I had to answer, I'd say #9 shad rap in chartreuse and white because it can be used for all species :)

Savage Voyageur: "Smallmouth Bass-Zara Super Spook in bass color
Walleye-slip bobber set up with a plastic worm
Pike-Mepps spinner
Laker-Rapala Tail Dancer In purple color"

I totally forgot the Whopper Plopper, so I will add that to my list for Bass and Pike. I have no idea why whopper Ploppers are so expensive but they catch a lot of fish. Get the colors Loon, Bone, and Bass.

Savage Voyageur: "

Savage Voyageur: "Smallmouth Bass-Zara Super Spook in bass color
Walleye-slip bobber set up with a plastic worm
Pike-Mepps spinner
Laker-Rapala Tail Dancer In purple color"

I totally forgot the Whopper Plopper, so I will add that to my list for Bass and Pike. I have no idea why whopper Ploppers are so expensive but they catch a lot of fish. Get the colors Loon, Bone, and Bass. "

I’m adding a Berkeley Choppo to my box this year at a few dollars less than a Whopper Plopper. Many people say they fish the same. To save a few bucks I’m willing to test it out.

To answer the question though-
Pike/Bass- chartreuse/white willow + Colorado spinnerbait (usually 3/8 oz Booyah) near shore or over weeds
Walleye- Black/gold #9 Shad Rap (also catches the first two)
Lake Trout- purpledescent Tail Dancer (also catches walleye just fine)

Since that’s only 3 I’ll add a 5” wacky rigged Yamasenko in watermelon for the smallies.

Smallmouth top water: Whopper Plopper
Smallmouth other: Wacky rig Senko
Pike: Mepps #5 with Silver blade
Walleye: Firetiger Shad Rap
Trout: Little Cleo, but to be honest, most of my trout have been caught accidentally on white twister tails when trying for walleyes.

Great post. Love all the suggestions.

walleye, bass, and occasional pike - jig and twister style bait
walleye, bass, and pike - flicker shad
lake trout, pike, and occasional large bass & large walleye - purple tail dancer.
pike, bass - #4 mepps

My trips are usually in mid summer which dictates the lures I'm picking for my top four. They would be different for spring and ice fishing.

Disclaimer: My tackle box is the size of a Volkswagen, but I catch most of my fish on leaches.

What a fun thread to read?! Maybe no two people are exactly the same in these choices, but it's clear there are some favorites. I've tried to keep my tackle box very simple this year. I've included my top four, plus a couple of honorable mentions that round out my gear.

S: Whopper Plopper
W: Live leech under slip bobber, 1/8 - 1/4oz jighead
P: Purpledescent Tail Dancer (I don't really target these, so this is sort of an add-in)
L: Blue/Silver Little Cleo 3/8oz.

I don't ever go fishing without ned rigs. It's always my backup when nothing else works. I'll also have twister tails for those jigheads.

Tight lines, BWCA friends!

This is a great thread! I'm going to get one of each listed above..... or maybe not.
I do have a question on different ones for mid Summer fishing. I'm totally unfamiliar with lures for the BW. Are there better lures for mid August? deep divers, spoons, rapalas? And is there a better color for that time of year.
Also bringing some jig heads as suggested and will use leeches until we run out. What color soft baits work?
Mostly targeting SM, Walleye and Pike. We're headed to Iron/Crooked lakes and hear there ain't no lakers up that way.
Thanks

S- either a basic green foam popper or a simple white streamer

W- Crawler harness... green. (Or a leech with a slip bobber and an orange bead.

NP- Five of Diamonds Spoon - yellow/red

LT- Cast master spoon... silver and orange...
Hope to have a specific fly I prefer after next week's trip.

Does 4 White jig heads and 4 White tails count as 8? :)

- Ned rig with zman hula stick
- #4 Mepps Agila or Black Fury
- Shad rap (x-rap style) in purpledecent
- Whopper plopper

Hard not to put little cleos or jigs with twisty tail grubs up there, but if we can only take 4, those are what I like to throw the most.

Love seeing everyone's responses. Haven't tried the tail dancer yet, but plan too now after seeing them mentioned so often.

Walleye-4 inch TRD Ned rig
Bass-2.75 inch TRD Ned rig
Pike-Reef Runner
Lake trout- Little cleo w/ snap weight

Walleye: jig head with leech
SMB: Jig head with leech-all of my big bass have come from walleye spots
Northern: Sucker minnow
Lake Trout: Sutton spoon

Sorry, I listed way more than 4 but the first one in each category are my go to baits.
Smallmouth- Green Pumpkin tube with 1/8-3/16 insider head, Ned Rig with 1/16 half head jig with either a TRD body or a TRD TubeZ body, Whopper Plopper, a 5 inch green pumpkin grub on a 1/8-1/4 ounce half head jig.
Walleye-3-4 inch grub (brown with 1/4 ounce pink head) , Zman TRD, Frenzy Flicker Shad or Shad Rap
Pike- Large swimbaits ( 5-8 inch), #5 or larger in line spinners, large Rogue's or Husky Jerks, Whopper Ploppers, large white, yellow or chartreuse spinnerbaits
Lakers- Deep tail Dancers ( TDD09 early, TDD11 later, TDD13 for large or very deep fish Purpledescent is a good color but any of the flashier colors work really well, 5/8-1 1/2 ounce white hair jigs, 4 1/2 or 5 1/2 Dr spoon, little cleos in 3/4 or 1 1/4 size.
Please release the big ones and treat them gently, especially large pike and Lakers as they are extremely fragile. Being top predators, they are extremely important for balanced fish populations and very difficult or impossible to replace.

If you haven’t tried a full sized fluke with no weight for small mouth it’s a must. Throw it out let it sink slowly. It’s a largemouth lure down south but it’s never failed in the bwca. My favorite colors are bubble gum pink and some sort of glitter green.

Well, I’m taking more than 4. And this doesn’t include the jigs, twister tails, and 4 pack of Little Cleo’s
Good thing it’s hypothetical to bring only 4

Bjmd28: "If you haven’t tried a full sized fluke with no weight for small mouth it’s a must. Throw it out let it sink slowly. It’s a largemouth lure down south but it’s never failed in the bwca. My favorite colors are bubble gum pink and some sort of glitter green. "

Have you ever used the Zulu rig while fishing soft plastic jerk baits? If not, do a search on Zulu rigging on this web page. The best soft plastic jerk baits on the market are the ZMAN ShadZ, they last 10 time longer than a fluke.