Been Testing

[Rees Guide]

The difference between using straight Aberdeens verses using some sort Gnat or Minner Critter. (Do want to say that I dont want this thread to become a Gnat verses Minner Critter thread, not the purpose and hope it wont go there.) Since fishing with Bill I have been using Gnats along side straight aberdeens and for the most part I couldnt tell much difference. Did notice Saturday while fishing with Donnie that his side of the boat caught the bigger fish but my side seem to catch the most, he had Gnats on and I had aberdeens. Yesterday was a different story, they wanted the gnats, color didnt really matter but it did seen to make a difference.
What are some thoughts on this, think it helps all the time or just sometimes?

[Rees Guide]

Let me add too, some of the fish yesterday had the gnats inhaled and none of the fish on the aberdeens were that way, harder bite it seemed.

[feelay]

Your method is flawed. How do you explain the days when all depths and baits are the same and 90% of the fish caught come from the left side of the boat? Maybe it's not the bait, but that Donnie is better at catching them than you!

[Rees Guide]

This could be the case for sure but he werent there yesterdy.By the way Donnie, right side if the boat was on fire yesterday.

[Donald@CrappieLogic]

well i think it just depends on if the crappie see the bait they will hit it right side left side gnat or straight hook if you put it in front of them they will hit it just my opinion like thump did you could go to grenada and catch a limit single poling to just not relating to structure right now just kinda slow troll along outside the structure with a jig and if they see it they gonna hit it its that time of the year when they just gorge on shad they will all catch fish if you fish em right

[DonDon]

Sometimes they want a little color. I've had all straight hooks on mine and by simply adding a plastic jig skirt to my straight hook, I've got them to start biting.

[feeshrman]

Any feeshrman worth his salt will admit no one bait or lure is better 100% of the time. It takes experience to know when and how to use each presentation. The gnats certainly seem to give me an edge when the bite is slow and the water is slightly stained + if I can get that sickle hook in a feeshes mouth, he is pretty much as good as caught. I am curious as to using them in clearer water. JMO

[Rees Guide]

Any feeshrman worth his salt will admit no one bait or lure is better 100% of the time. It takes experience to know when and how to use each presentation. The gnats certainly seem to give me an edge when the bite is slow and the water is slightly stained + if I can get that sickle hook in a feeshes mouth, he is pretty much as good as caught. I am curious as to using them in clearer water. JMO

that being the case why not use sickles all the time, even when using a bare hook with no decoration?? It's a thought for sure. Aint being no smart ellic, I am serious. Thanks for the input guys.

[feelay]

They do make an aberdeen sickle now. I use a plain ole gold Eagle claw because it is easy to find, cheap and has worked for me since I was knee high to a june bug. I even had Donnie tie some gnats on them, they work good.

[Rees Guide]

They do, went and looked on ebay and they have some in gold, red, and black. Kinda thought of aberdeens as gold.