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jfunk	04/26/2012 12:06PM   I love these threads! There is one similar about every 2 weeks. They all say about the same thing, but I read every word. Everyone's individual personality always shows through. I love the debate between live bait and artificial. Thanks guys. Me personally have no preferences. Where I live has no live bait stores close so I tend to use artificial more or crawlers out of the backyard.
The Great Outdoors	01/07/2009 07:05PM   thlipsis29, How do I keep my sanity surrounded by all those crank baits?? Bro, I'm right across the lot from a liquor store:) You ask:"Jim Baker and Jimmy Swaggart's strongest preaching against sexual immorality was while they engaged in their own extra-marital affairs. Is there something we need to know, TGO? :^)" ABSOLUTELY NOT!! I'd confess to a relationship with a sheep than admit using crank baits!! :)
thlipsis29	01/07/2009 07:47PM   TGO, If you're wearing wool next time I come in, I promise not to ask any questions :^)
wb4syth	04/26/2012 01:29PM   Only once have I had a lure beat out live bait for walleye fishing (in the BW anyway). The lure was pretty much any copper/crawfish colored rapala (especially a shad-rap). Easily outproduced the leeches I brought in. This was on a tannin stained lake. I had to eat humble pie cause I was told I would only have to bring in a bunch of those lures and I insisted on bringing leeches.
snakecharmer	01/07/2009 07:32PM   As long as it's consensual, whatever a man does in the privacy of his own bait shop is none of my business :)
MeatGun	04/26/2012 05:51PM   SR7 Perch
Basspro69	04/26/2012 06:12PM   Or you could take a couple rattlin raps and floaters and catch walleyes also
RoundRiver	04/26/2012 08:30PM   Agree with the live bait, especially leeches. It is better than any Gulp. But I like trolling and have found Rapala jointed #9 black and silver and goldfish shad raps to catch some walleyes. Was almost nonstop for about 45 minutes last year with the jointed #9 - 4 or 5 that were 17 - 20 or so inches.
Jeriatric	01/07/2009 01:42PM   TGO is of course, correct. Live bait will catch more fish in the great majority of cases. However, there is more to the answer than just that because it ignores individual personalities and motivations. Here are some analogies. When I was a kid, I began hunting squirrels (western grey squirrels) with a .410 shotgun. If I could find the squirrels I could bag them. As I got older, however, I switched to a .22 rifle. My odds of bagging the squirrels went down but I enjoyed it more. When I was last hunting squirrels, I was using a .22 revolver. The odds went down even more but I preferred getting no squirrels to the sure thing of a shotgun. For me, it was all about the challenge. I have known fly fishermen who, if they could not make presentations with their self-tied dry flies, would hardly fish at all. For them, it was all about style. When I am fishing away from home and camping, sometimes I will take a mix of live bait and artificial baits. After I get dinner on the stringer, I will usually switch from live bait to the artificials. Or, conversely, I will start with the spinners and plugs and if I have no luck, switch to crawlers or other live bait out of desperation as dinnertime approaches. In this case, it is probably a mix of challenge, style, and a need to catch dinner. We are all different and when most of us ask the question, "what is the best bait"?, we are not including all the little details of our motivations, and we shouldn't have to. Here is, to me, the most important quotation involving fishing: "Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." Henry David Thoreau
trailcheif	04/25/2012 08:10PM   TGO you are rediculously awesome! It's charecters like you that keep this world interesting! I can't wait to come in and get my leeches from you.
timatkn	04/26/2012 01:06AM   quote The Great Outdoors: " Twister tails work well for bass, but what doesn't?" :)
thlipsis29	01/07/2009 02:08PM   Look carefully at the photo and you'll see that TGO is actually surrounded by "cranks." Don't know how he manages to maintain his sanity given all the live bait preachin' he does. You know, though, Jim Baker and Jimmy Swaggart's strongest preaching against sexual immorality was while they engaged in their own extra-marital affairs. Is there something we need to know, TGO? :^)
The Great Outdoors	01/06/2009 10:27PM   PS to fishguts, Any guy that owns a bait shop always has the majority of $ tied up into lures, and most try to push them. If anyone asks me what's working the best, I sell them the gear and bait which will get them the most bang for their buck. This is normally a few jigs, plain hooks, and some crawlers, leeches, or minnows. If they heed the sermon, they will catch many more fish than they would with cranks! Oooooh, even typing the word "cranks" gives me the willies. Brrrrrrrrrrrr :)
The Great Outdoors	01/06/2009 10:21PM   marsonite, When I get to Pearly Gates, and if St. Peter asks how many, I can truthfully answer quite a few. If the artificial lure guys get asked the same question, and give the same answer, they'll be shot down to Hell so fast for lying, their ears will pop!! :)
The Great Outdoors	01/06/2009 10:34PM   PPS to fishguts, No live bait in Quetico, what do I suggest. Stay out of the Quetico Park:) However, if you insist on going there, plain hooks or jigs tipped with Slimers, 3 inch Berkley Gulp Smelt, or 3 inch Berkley Power Smelt. They're OK, but nowhere as good as live bait.
fishguts	01/07/2009 02:39PM   "Stay out of the Quetico Park:)" I like it! This is a philosophy that will insure the fishing in Quetico stays great..........if no one goes (except me) the fishing pressure stays low and those dumb Quetico fish will continue to bite at anything.....even crank baits. Stay out of Quetico!!! :)
The Great Outdoors	01/05/2009 08:55AM   They will do the trick as long as you keep the presentation simple, plain hook/leech or 1/8th oz jig/leech. As light a sinker (BB shot) or no sinker, if possible, with the plain hook.
fishguts	01/05/2009 06:16PM   Any suggestions on best lures?.....That was the question, right? In Quetico leaches are not allowed so lure selection is important. On our Mid June trip last year in Quetico we had good luck with: 1.Countdown Rapalas- Rainbow Trout pattern. Let sink and reel in 2.Original Rapala stickbait- Black & White. Troll as deep as they go. 3. Twister tail jigs
The Great Outdoors	01/05/2009 10:28PM   apaulsen5, Finally, a voice of reason!! :)
chadwick	01/06/2009 12:12AM   gulp 3/4 inch leeches/ minnows on a light jig. black for leeches, white and smelt for minnows I believe tgo carries them. I would not buy the ones in the tubs for the trip, just the ones in the bags. the tubs have a bad habit of breaking. When walleye fishing I almost always use live bait unless I am trolling, in which case I use a # 7 or 9 shad rap in yellow, or orange.
mtnbikerth	01/04/2009 08:48PM   I appreciate all the input about carrying and storing leeches on a trip. Hopefully, leeches will be the trick for catching more walleye this time around. Thx..................
mtnbikerth	01/05/2009 05:07PM   TGO, Thanks for the input. Do you ever use twister tails, 3" or 4", for walleye in the BWCA? mtnbikerth
mtnbikerth	01/05/2009 07:03PM   Thanks guys.... Fishguts, do you know the size of the countdown and stickbait that you used?
The Great Outdoors	01/05/2009 07:10PM   Size of the countdown and stickbait???????????? Arrrrgggggggggggggggggggghhhhh:( Jig or Plain Hook with leech or minnow, doesn't get any better or any simpler than that!!!!!! Catch tons more walleye than using that artificial junk!!!! Damn, I need a drink!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is this some kind of a tag team effort to put me in an asylum????
smallieseeker	01/05/2009 07:53PM   3 inch yellow twistertail ,only walleye lure i will take to quetico this year. never fails.
CapitalCity	04/28/2012 03:27PM   I caught walleye last year in the BW 1st week of June on leeches (mostly small lindy rigs and inline spinners). I will however say that the biggest walleye of the trip came on a purple shad rap in the middle of the day. Its when the big dogs feed over open water and they want big fast bait! Shiners would be clutch at that time of the year in the BW, too bad they are such a PITA to keep alive.
Basspro69	04/28/2012 04:09PM   With the exception of Walleyes I will put artificials against live bait most times. But if you dont have to choose why would you. I always bring leeches with me when I go up north and they are my backup plan, or if I just want to sit around for awhile and watch a bobber. I prefer to cast artificials but when the going gets tough and the fish need something alive, a leech is just the ticket. Ive been trying to figure out T G Os deal with crankbaits then I remembered a story about a young boy about 35 years ago near Ely that snagged himself in the rear end with a Lazy Ike, I wonder if that was T G O ?
fishguts	01/05/2009 08:04PM   The ones we used were in the 3" size range....maybe 4" for the Original Rapala Stickbait. What does The Great Outdoors use in Quetico?
apaulsen5	01/05/2009 08:06PM   TGO, Ill back you up on the simple live bait presentation, nothing beats it!
kanoes	01/07/2009 08:21PM   wow....those have a tiny opening. :)
The Great Outdoors	01/07/2009 08:15PM   Thats why I always wear polar fleece. A plastic pop bottle tells no tales! :)
The Great Outdoors	01/07/2009 08:31PM   I meant the plastic bottles they put turkey gizzards, pig's feet, etc.in! The ones with the big opening:)
fishguts	01/05/2009 10:59PM   Again....NO LIVE BAIT IN QUETICO! What do you suggest?
The Great Outdoors	01/05/2009 06:15PM   No, use what I posted about 99% of the time. Twister tails work well for bass, but what doesn't?
mtnbikerth	01/03/2009 11:00PM   Thanks for the input.....looks like leeches are the trick. I will need to learn how to carry them in and keep them alive for several days. Any suggestions on what to carry them in?
The Great Outdoors	01/03/2009 07:20PM   mtnbikerth, Do what kanoes and izzy recommend and you'll catch many walleye. Don't go for the artificial lure hype. Keep everything simple.
thlipsis29	01/03/2009 07:50PM   I'll endorse the natural approach as well. On my trip last May I caught 50-60 fish and ALL but one was on a rainbow chub (purchased from TGO)on a jighead. I prefer either 1/8 oz or 1/16 oz. The Roadrunner with the small spinner on it worked quite well also.
mtnbikerth	01/04/2009 07:50AM   Thanks Captn. How many dozen can you put into one locker?
Captn Tony	01/04/2009 09:40AM   I buy a pound for a 5 day trip and only once have I run out and that was the morning we were leaving and we were trying to catch fish to take home. But we use a lot of artificial baits and we do a other things besides fish. If you are going to just fish and the fish are biting it might not be enough.
snakecharmer	01/04/2009 12:37PM   The system we've settled into is using the Baitkings for keeping the bulk of the leeches at camp and bringing smaller numbers in Leechtamers (mesh bag) in the boats while fishing. Keeping the leeches in the water and out of direct sun light is the key. This will keep your leeches in tip-top shape for as long as needed, even in the heat of summer.
mtnbikerth	01/03/2009 05:34PM   I would appreciate some advice for suggested walleye lures for late May / early June. Last year we caught a lot of northerns and some smallmouth but was not very successful with walleye. Any suggestions on best lures and approximate depths in late May? Thanks
mtnbikerth	01/04/2009 07:44AM   Thanks Kanoes! In general, how many pounds might one use over 5 days? Our group size will be 7 this time out.
The Great Outdoors	01/04/2009 09:07AM   Figure at least one dozen per person/day when getting bait. This isn't a heavy figure, but for normal 3-4 hour a day fishing. About 12-16 dozen leeches in a pound, depending on the size, and what the shop calls a jumbo, large, or medium, etc. The medium leech is just fine 14-16 dozen in a pound. Do not count travel days when figuring your bait. This may sound a bit complicated, so E mail or call me if you have any questions about total pounds or how to use them.
Captn Tony	01/04/2009 09:48AM   To clarify my leach locker is the mesh bag which TGO called a leach tote.
kanoes	01/03/2009 05:43PM   i like jigs and minnows or leeches in may. depths vary but they will not be very deep, and they will be in current areas also. for the most part you have to be right on the bottom for walleyes. if youre not hitting the bottom atleast once in awhile youre out of the walleye zone.
marsonite	01/06/2009 06:08AM   Hey TGO, you talk like you are going to get to the Pearly Gates, and St. Peter is going to ask.....HOW MANY?:)
fishguts	01/06/2009 10:00AM   Thanks chadwick, I have caught lots of walleye in Quetico on lures, it's a matter of putting the lure where the fish are. Asking a bait salesman what kind of lure to use gets the expected results.......bait.
bassnut	01/06/2009 12:03PM   We troll Shad Raps in white/chartreuse SR*8's thru muck bottom bays in 5 to 15 ft. water. When we find fish, we drop 3in. black or white grubs(1/8th to 1/4th oz.jigheads) on them. At that time of year there are few baitfish, but in muck bottom bays the insects are emerging from the mud. We catch them as shallow as 4ft. all day when cloudy, deeper when brighter. Filet the first fish and see what they are eating. Besides, no bait or barbs in Quetico. I hope the BWCA goes that way too!
Bromel	01/06/2009 01:09PM   Try casting Shad Raps in size SR-8 below rapids flowing into the lake. Or a 3 or 4 inch yellow twister tail jig is a good choice too.
kanoes	01/03/2009 11:05PM   this works for me. self contained in the leech tote. 32 oz nalgene will hold a pound. just change water until you get to camp. transfer to the tote then. leech tote
The Great Outdoors	01/04/2009 09:13AM   PS-About one pound of leeches per leech locker in the summer. The tall Bait King will allow you to put two pounds in it. Colder water (about 60 degrees or less) will increase the amount per locker. Do not try to keep large amounts in a leech tote which is a mesh bag.
airmorse	01/06/2009 01:18PM   Shad Rap #8's in Gold.
Captn Tony	01/04/2009 07:30AM   Put them in a nalgene while moving and when in camp transfer them to a leach locker. I tried that for the first time last year and the locker really keeps them fresh and wiggly.
izzy	01/04/2009 09:00AM   I usually figure on 4 pounds of leeches for 2 people for 10 days. Sometimes more , sometimes less depending on how the fishing goes. We use leeches for both walleyes and smallies. I made a big leech locker out of a 5 gallon plastic bucket ( with a metal handle ) and snap on lid. I drilled hundreds of small holes in the bucket and lid. He have the leeches airbagged and transport them in the bucket on the way in. When we reach camp we take them out, put a rock in the bucket and empty the leeches into the bucket , snap on the lid , tie the handle to something secure on shore and submerge the bucket in the lake near shore. Once submerged , I place a large rock on top to kip the bucket in place. Fresh water is always flowing thru the bucket and the leeches stay fresh. If you have a campsite with overhanging tree branches this is a perfect place as the bucket will be out of direct sunlight. We fill a leech locker for daily fishing needs. We don't loose many leeches this way. If you have them airbagged and keep them on ice in a cooler they will keep just fine overnight before you go in. Good Luck on your trip. Izzy
izzy	01/03/2009 06:10PM   Keep it simple - slip bobber , small sinker , # 8 hook , leech. Fish over rocks in 5-12 feet of water as the sun goes down. Fish about half way down. You will catch fish. Izzy
Gravy33	04/27/2012 07:23AM   quote Basspro69: "Or you could take a couple rattlin raps and floaters and catch walleyes also " Nice ! Looks like great eatin size. Can't wait to have a meal or two of those here in 6 weeks.
Arlo Pankook	04/27/2012 08:10AM   quote lundojam: " As for plastics vs. live bait: In my opinion, if you keep that Gulp! or powerbait really hoppin', I mean rip-jigging, you are in better shape than if you try to fish it like you would live bait. I wouldn't live bait rig with an artifical; it's counterintuitive. " Right on lundo! I will use a 3/8 oz jig in 10fow just so I can fish it with enough of a snap and still make good contact with the bottom. I have caught plenty of fish on opener snap jigging a gulp minnow with the water temp still in the upper 40's. It doesn't always work though. This is a great old thread.
lundojam	04/26/2012 09:07PM   RoundRiver- Dig your name and quote. As for plastics vs. live bait: In my opinion, if you keep that Gulp! or powerbait really hoppin', I mean rip-jigging, you are in better shape than if you try to fish it like you would live bait. I wouldn't live bait rig with an artifical; it's counterintuitive.
Trouthooker	09/08/2020 12:11PM   We went up to the Bwca in early September for a week and crushed the walleyes on a 5 in white grub and Jig, Our friends used live bait the hole time and we caught the same amount of walleyes. As well as catching walleyes we caught 3 20 in smallmouth bass in a school it was lots of fun. Grubs are easy and take no care. I think were your fishing is more important then your presentation fish windblown islands and points with steep drop offs and you will for sure shake up some walleyes. I good map with some deep lines will make finding walleyes easy.