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AndySG
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OK GSP, I get it now. First off, all baits mentioned here are good ones. However, I prefer to stay away from the knockoffs. Many times they do not run true or not properly shaped to produce that enticing wobble. Although there are many ways to present these baits, I'll offer the following advice for starters.
Floating Rapala: Very buoyant bait. Will only run 1-2 ft deep even with the fastest retrieve. Throw it out, then start twitching it with gentle jerks of the rod. Quickly reel up slack line after each series of twitches. The bait will remain on the surface and if hit, wait to you feel the fish before setting the hook. Or, just throw it and reel steadily back. Try varying speeds for the steady retrieve. Or, combine twitch and steady methods.
Rapala Tail Dancer, Husky Jerk and Shadrap: These baits are less buoyant and depending on size will run anywhere from 5-20 feet (for the deeper runners you'll need heavy tackle.) Running depth will be stated on the package. Fish them below the surface with retrieves like the floater but with these variations. After you cast, reel the bait back fast for three to six turns of the reel to dive the bait to the desired depth, then start either the twitch, steady, or combo retrieve. Since the bait will be deeper, use a stronger jerk of the rod for the twitching. The faster you reel the deeper the bait will dive. This will work for most crank baits designed to dive.
Soft Plastic (or Gulp) Grubs and Leeches: Depending on size, rig on an 1/8 or 1/4 oz lead jig head (if you need to get real deep, then 1/2 oz.) For the best lure action, make sure the bait is snug against the jig head and perfectly straight on the hook shaft. Throw out and let the bait settle to the bottom. Then hop the bait by quickly raising the rod tip, then let the bait settle back to the bottom while reeling the slack line. Try varying the length and frequency of the hop until you find a pattern the fish like. There are times when just slowly crawling these baits on bottom is the key, but make sure the bottom is fairly clean or you'll get snagged. There are also times when you can just swim these baits off the bottom with a steady retrieve.
Mepps Spinners and Spoons. Basically just throw them out and reel back. The faster the retrieve the shallower depth, the slower the deeper. For spinners, make sure you can feel the thump of the blade turning. If not, your reeling too slow or the spinner is fouled with moss or weeds. Check it after each retrieve to make sure it is trash free. Spoons wobble when retrieved. Faster retrieve for fast and shallow running wobble, and slow retrieve for the opposite. With spoons you can also stop the retrieve and the spoon will flutter downwards. This will sometimes trigger a strike as well.
Way too much information, right? I hope you find it helpful. With the lures suggested here, for $50 you should do just fine.
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bassnut
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Rattle-trap -type lures catch fish REALLY good, casting or trolling. Spend a couple of bucks on 1/8 oz., 1/4oz. jig heads, and white and black twister tail plastic grubs, maybe 15-20 of each, maybe 6-8 each of jig heads. Find fish with rattletraps, drill 'em with jig-grubs. Understand a budget....OKAY,OKAY... slice in a topwater like a Zara Spook, Pop-R, Buzzbait...whatever is cheapest.
These fish see relatively VERY light fishing pressure. Use fresh line, reel in good shape, and really sharp hooks.
Don't concentrate on lures...these fish will hit just asbout anything. concentrate non the things you can control...line...reel...knot...hook(sharp or not??).
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Corndog
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Catch bait while there. There are posts on cathing crawfish, minnows and leeches.
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old_salt
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I would get some Storm Wild Eye Shads, 4"-6".
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GSP
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$50 budget for next trip and new baits. I have little experience fishing with plastics and usually provide the trolling power for casting shorelines. So walleye and bass are primary targets with northerns a byproduct.
What would you buy for a 10 day trip?
What is the best presentation for the bait?
Sept. 19 to Oct. 2
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MagicStik
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I would buy as many Redfire Crawdad or Firetiger Rattlin Raps as I could. If $4-$5 is too spendy find some knock offs or cheaper brands.
http://www.rapala.com/products/lures/rattlin_rapala
Northwest Outlet in Superior, WI has them on sale right now for around $4 I think. Hopefully I didn't buy all of them. :)
These lures are great for trolling/casting and don't get snagged very easily. I bring at least 6-8 of them on every trip. Walleyes, Pike, and Smallies love them! The 1/2oz trolls good at 8'-11'. The 3/4oz is good to about 12-14' at my slow trolling/paddling speed.
MagicStik
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Amok
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Rattle traps, Mepps (#4, various) and Rapala's.
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GSP
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Andy, thats why the question. Best bait for the money and techniques, i am a excellent bobber watcher and jigger. Looking for fall options to begin with if no leeches are available, always working on learning curve. The bdub is only time I fish.
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overthehill
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A pint tub of 'gulp alive 4" emerald shiners' might be good....but there goes $15. I've taken the plain 'gulp rainbow chubs' out of the bag and dumped them in the 'alive juice tub' too. They made an impression. This was in May. As far as 'hard plastic lures', I like rapala deep diver taildancers. TDD09 in FYP color. It depends on where,how, and when you fish too, I suppose.
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wcummin1
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Lindy rigs, jigs, lindy rigs, and jigs
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mr.barley
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12 little joe type spinners, 2 packs of 5 inch black GULP leeches, 2 packs of 3 inch emerald shiner GULP minnows, a few 1/8 ounce and 1/4 ounce jig heads with a few 3 and 4 inch white twister tails and a couple of shad raps....black/silver and crawdad.
Didn't do the math on this one though. After 11 PM I don't do math.
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Chilly
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For 50 bucks I would buy 3 red eyes.
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AndySG
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GSP - Not sure by "plastics" if you mean plastic soft baits, or the hard (crank) baits. If you don't have much experience fishing with either, I agree the Rapalas and Mepps are good choices since you can usually get some action just throwing them out and reeling 'em back. I'd throw in a few spoons like Little Cleos or Daredevils as well. After 30 years of serious fishing, there are many, many tricks and tips I've learned to make lure fishing more successful. Soft plastic baits also have a long learning curve. If the lures aren't working for you, go with a slip bobber and some kind of live bait.
Good fishing and I expect pictures.
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fishguts
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Shad Rap should be in your collection for trolling for walleye & Bass
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Basspro69
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quote GSP: "$50 budget for next trip and new baits. I have little experience fishing with plastics and usually provide the trolling power for casting shorelines. So walleye and bass are primary targets with northerns a byproduct.
What would you buy for a 10 day trip?
What is the best presentation for the bait?
Sept. 19 to Oct. 2" A couple of Blue an silver floating rapalas, 2 silver and black shad raps, 2 mepps number 2 spinners silver with the dressing on the tail,2 Packs of powerbait 3 inch curly tail grubs, with 1/8 oz and 1/4 ounce heads one yellow and one white pack, and some little cleos 1/4 oz silver.
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lundojam
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A #9 shad rap, a big husky jerk, (color depends on water clarity), a couple of those light wire leaders to protect your crankbait investment, some live bait spinners, hooks and bobbers, jigs, live bait, gulp minnows.
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