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Best Bluegill bait to use during winter months?
#11369904
01/26/16 01:35 AM
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 33
jhauk
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 33 |
Hey guys, I plan on hitting local bodys of water to cetch some bluegill or sunfish. What is the best bait to use in these chiller months?
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Re: Best Bluegill bait to use during winter months?
[Re: jhauk]
#11369964
01/26/16 01:49 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,975
Smithaven
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,975 |
The best bait for sunfish is live crickets, but they are expensive and hard to find unless you raise them or order them on line - again very expensive because of the freight charges.
The most practical bait is Canadian Nightcrawlers. Cut or pinch them into 1-2 inch segments as you use them. In the cold weather you do not have to worry about the bait dying as you do in the summer.
Any bait you use in the summer will work but year round you will catch the most fish on the above two baits. Look at Chuck's Banker Always Fishing posts and you will find he nearly always uses worms. Nobody catches more sunfish than Chuck.
. Seventy five years of chasing the elusive sunfish.
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Re: Best Bluegill bait to use during winter months?
[Re: jhauk]
#11370394
01/26/16 03:42 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,776
banker-always fishing
Pumpkin Head
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Pumpkin Head
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,776 |
100 Percent on what Smithaven has stated. I am still trying to catch up with him on the number of fish he has caught over the years he has been fishing. I use worms just about 99 percent of the time while fishing for Sunfish year around. I love the Night Crawlers. During the hotter days I have a Coleman Ice Cube that I keep over the worm carton while I am fishing. When I am not fishing I keep them in the refrigerator. They last for weeks. I Texas rig em just like you would do a plastic worm for bass. I use the size six hooks. You can also break the worm up in one to two inch pieces or even have a couple of four inch pieces. During the spring,summer,and fall months I sometimes use the whole worm. This attracts the bigger fish. Hope this helps you out some. Let us know how you do! Side Note: To The Texas Fishing Forum. Glad to have you on board!
IGFA World Record Rio Grande Cichlid. Lake Dunlap. John 3:16 Sinner's Prayer. God forgive me a sinner. I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior !
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Best Bait YEAR ROUND
[Re: jhauk]
#11370468
01/26/16 04:07 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,822
doctorxring
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,822 |
Everybody has their favorite and mine is maggots. A little more trouble to source and care for but this bait is dynamite for bluegill and is worth a little trouble. They stay on the hook very well and are a very "clean" bait to use. No sticky fingers. I use 3 maggots on a #6 Owner Mosquito hook. Good luck in your pursuit !
You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free
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Re: Best Bait YEAR ROUND
[Re: jhauk]
#11370640
01/26/16 05:28 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 11,446
Dfitz
"Nice Guy"
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"Nice Guy"
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 11,446 |
I dont target Sunfish in the winter, but if i did, it would be with Canadian nightcrawlers.
Don't worry about the mule, just load the cart
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Re: Best Bait YEAR ROUND
[Re: jhauk]
#11373221
01/27/16 01:25 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 19,067
Laker One
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 19,067 |
WORMS!
Side Note: I prefer small spinner baits such as Rooster Tails,and Little Georges. I also love catching sunfish on the fly!
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Re: Best Bait YEAR ROUND
[Re: jhauk]
#11376174
01/28/16 02:49 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,171
USMC_Guy
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,171 |
As a rule of thumb during the colder months you need to fish slower and use smaller baits. Waxies and maggots always worked well for me in the past (esp. up north) and would probably work good in a cold water pond. If the water is warm and/or spring fed worms would be a good choice and don't forget to see what is native to the area.
Drxring, do you use maggots down here? If so where do you source them if you don't mind me asking?
Mike C.
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Re: Best Bait YEAR ROUND
[Re: jhauk]
#11376558
01/28/16 05:13 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,720
BCasper
Turkey Leg
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Turkey Leg
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,720 |
The only place I've found wax worms down here is at petco and petsmart in the reptile food section.
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Re: Best Bait YEAR ROUND
[Re: BCasper]
#11376741
01/28/16 06:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,662
Action_Jackson
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,662 |
The only place I've found wax worms down here is at petco and petsmart in the reptile food section. +1...or either order em off of eBay
Katchin krappie...doin surgeries(filleting)...and givin hott grease baths until krunchy and golden brown is what it's all about!!!
"STAY ready for the THUMP"!!!!
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Re: Best Bait YEAR ROUND
[Re: USMC_Guy]
#11377815
01/29/16 02:24 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,822
doctorxring
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,822 |
As a rule of thumb during the colder months you need to fish slower and use smaller baits. Waxies and maggots always worked well for me in the past (esp. up north) and would probably work good in a cold water pond. If the water is warm and/or spring fed worms would be a good choice and don't forget to see what is native to the area.
Drxring, do you use maggots down here? If so where do you source them if you don't mind me asking? Hi Mike -- Yes, I started using them last year. If I'm going to buy a bunch I'll get them from Forked Tree Ranch as their price is the best, but you need to buy 5,000 minimum. http://forkedtreeranch.comIf I'm going make a small buy I go with Speedy Worm. http://www.speedyworm.comBoth of these companies are top drawer. Chris
You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free
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Re: Best Bait YEAR ROUND
[Re: banker-always fishing]
#11383139
02/01/16 06:34 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,588
jagg
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 4,588 |
I Texas rig em just like you would do a plastic worm for bass. I use the size six hooks. You can also break the worm up in one to two inch pieces or even have a couple of four inch pieces. Unless you are rigging a sliding bullet sinker above the hook, then you are Tex-posing or rigging weedless.
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Re: Best Bait YEAR ROUND
[Re: jhauk]
#11385566
02/02/16 12:47 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,610
Gitter Done
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,610 |
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