Posted: 4/20/2019 11:12:25 AM EDT
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Title. All my life I've fished for bass and gar and crappie in small creeks. I'm going to Northern Wisconsin for a couple weeks this summer, and I realized I have no idea what bait to use. My go-to is a medium size hook with a white worm. I've heard they like spinners? It'll be in small rivers if that matters.
Also, do they have teeth? Do I need a leader? Can I fat finger their mouth or do I need a jaw holder? |
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Originally Posted By Victor223:
Title. All my life I've fished for bass and gar and crappie in small creeks. I'm going to Northern Wisconsin for a couple weeks this summer, and I realized I have no idea what bait to use. My go-to is a medium size hook with a white worm. I've heard they like spinners? It'll be in small rivers if that matters. Also, do they have teeth? Do I need a leader? Can I fat finger their mouth or do I need a jaw holder? |
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What he said. Panther Martin type spinners, get several different colors. Small swivel snaps are nice. No special leaders needed, 6-8 lb test line will be plenty. Get the spinners small, 1/8 oz.
You’re not fly fishing, but some guys like a small, clear bubble and a fly 3’ behind it. Small trout have small mouths, and you’ll catch your share of small ones. Some decent hemostats are great for unhooking trout. You may even have to cut one of the treble hooks off the spinners. They can be a bear to unhook without killing the little fish. Nothing wrong with a little power bait or salmon eggs on a single small hook. Get some small splitshot too. |
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Do not grab them by the jaw, they are fragile.
Along with the other recommendations, try Kastmasters too. Smallest size. Joe's flies are great too: https://joesflies.com/ I'm not sure of the water you are fishing, and the trout sizes, but around here I don't go over 4lb. I also use flouro. |
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Originally Posted By pagoda:
Do not grab them by the jaw, they are fragile. Along with the other recommendations, try Kastmasters too. Smallest size. Joe's flies are great too: https://joesflies.com/ I'm not sure of the water you are fishing, and the trout sizes, but around here I don't go over 4lb. I also use flouro. What tradeoffs have you seen with fluoro? I still use mono, but I'm thinking about going to fluoro. |
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Originally Posted By johnh57:
If you're releasing them they are a bit fragile. Lose the treble hooks and crimp the barbs. If they start bleeding out of the gills, they're toast. Panther Martins, Thomas Cyclones, Mepps, Small Rapalas, will all work. Not enough teeth to fray leaders. |
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Originally Posted By timthemedic:
@pagoda What tradeoffs have you seen with fluoro? I still use mono, but I'm thinking about going to fluoro. I haven't noticed any real differences. Feels similar, knots similar, seems to have similar strength. I just have to hope it is more transparent under water. 
I DO have to pay more for it, though. But fishing line is probably the least of my expenses. 
ETA: Oh, and Trilene XL Mono @ 4lb is .20mm diameter. Trilene Flouro is .17mm. So a bit of a bonus there. |
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Originally Posted By pagoda:
@timthemedic I haven't noticed any real differences. Feels similar, knots similar, seems to have similar strength. I just have to hope it is more transparent under water.
I DO have to pay more for it, though. But fishing line is probably the least of my expenses.
ETA: Oh, and Trilene XL Mono @ 4lb is .20mm diameter. Trilene Flouro is .17mm. So a bit of a bonus there. Originally Posted By pagoda:
Originally Posted By timthemedic:
@pagoda What tradeoffs have you seen with fluoro? I still use mono, but I'm thinking about going to fluoro. I haven't noticed any real differences. Feels similar, knots similar, seems to have similar strength. I just have to hope it is more transparent under water.
I DO have to pay more for it, though. But fishing line is probably the least of my expenses.
ETA: Oh, and Trilene XL Mono @ 4lb is .20mm diameter. Trilene Flouro is .17mm. So a bit of a bonus there. |
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Originally Posted By pagoda:
@timthemedic I haven't noticed any real differences. Feels similar, knots similar, seems to have similar strength. I just have to hope it is more transparent under water.
I DO have to pay more for it, though. But fishing line is probably the least of my expenses.
ETA: Oh, and Trilene XL Mono @ 4lb is .20mm diameter. Trilene Flouro is .17mm. So a bit of a bonus there. Originally Posted By pagoda:
Originally Posted By timthemedic:
@pagoda What tradeoffs have you seen with fluoro? I still use mono, but I'm thinking about going to fluoro. I haven't noticed any real differences. Feels similar, knots similar, seems to have similar strength. I just have to hope it is more transparent under water.
I DO have to pay more for it, though. But fishing line is probably the least of my expenses.
ETA: Oh, and Trilene XL Mono @ 4lb is .20mm diameter. Trilene Flouro is .17mm. So a bit of a bonus there. |