Thread: Substitute for Crickets

Give the mini spoon a try. I hammered the gills using the candy green one with a crappie nibble, tuesday. Couldn't find the bigger ones but had non stop action on the smaller ones.

If you are fishing an area where the "bull" gills live I'd use 1/64 jig or a #8 hook and tip with an artificial gulp maggot. If they are "slab" gills living there you could even use a small jig and tip with the piece of corn as was already stated. If they are "dinks" as Babe would call them, I'd cry ....then use #10 hook and a piece of corn or cut up shrimp.

For live bait though, you cannot beat a waxworm or a peice of a red wiggler with the ends dangling. My choice in a jig would be the 1/64 of the picture in my signature.

Originally Posted by chaunc

Give the mini spoon a try. I hammered the gills using the candy green one with a crappie nibble, tuesday. Couldn't find the bigger ones but had non stop action on the smaller ones.

I've been using spoons also and doing well on them.I tip them with a nibble or 1/2 of a Gulp maggot.I like the yellow with orange splash also the spoons with a spinner on them.I want to try the spoons thru the ice this year.


Ship,I've never tried corn for gills.I used to use corn for trout and did well.A buddy always said to use green giant niblets for trout.I like your jigs also.

Originally Posted by Baxter1

Ship,I've never tried corn for gills.I used to use corn for trout and did well.A buddy always said to use green giant niblets for trout.I like your jigs also.

Corn is a great (and cheap) bait. Gills love it, as do carp, cats and trout.

I have found that when all else fails, find a wasp nest, steal it from the wasp, pull all the tops off the chambers. Discard the adult wasp and fish with the larvae. You will have to hide behind your tackle box to bait your hook. Bream bite this so well you will have to rest your arm from pulling them in.
Tip: a coffee can with a small amount of gasoline in it will instantly kill the wasps on the nest.
My grandfather taught me this trick and my brother and I have been using it for almost half a century.
Good luck.

What size hook or jig would be best for the 2 inch senko.Yum dinger dont make em this size do they?