Up here in midwest Illinois, the gill fishing is tough right now. I have been out twice in the last week or so with the Fish Cat#4 float tube . The water temp was 40 degrees. The ones I caught were on the bottom near wood at 14' to 18', gin clear water. I was using tiny jigs tipped w/wax worms. Got enough for a mess both times, but no impressive numbers . ( Also got a case of cold toes after 6 hrs:rolleyes: )
Next trip I'll try the worms. Hadn't even given them thought because we are so close to the ice fishing bite.
For your info., I haven't EVER gotten crickets to work very well up here. I had good luck with them at Reelfoot lake in NW Ten. but up here they would be my last choice. Weird, but true