Rich Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 I never thought the day would come when I couldn't get sunfish and perch to take an artificial offering. Been sitting on the same 2 schools of fish the last two days, watching them all day swimming up and turning away. I've tried Gulp Alive maggots, Gulp waxies, Gulp minnows, tiny hair jigs, flies and tiny spoons. Only thing that got a couple bites was the Gulp Alive minnows, however they were too big (2.5") and they simply nipped the tail and swam away. I'm really trying to avoid relying on live bait this ice season, but as the days go by I find myself craving a big ol' bucket of minnows more and more! Can anybody help?
steverowbotham Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 last year i caught em good just using the tail of the gulp live minnows ... only about a 1/2 inch worth
MCTFisher9120 Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 I have these small 1" crappy tubes that make my little brother happy fishing for sunfish and perch...
Canuck2fan Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 Rich how come you aren't cutting up the gulp to try smaller pieces? I find gulp live worked great until the fish went to school and learnt to avoid it this summer. I just found on smaller waters they caught on to it and it made the fishing tough when that happened. If you are fishing small ponds that might be the problem so change the shape because it sounds like they sure like the scent?
shane Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 last year i caught em good just using the tail of the gulp live minnows ... only about a 1/2 inch worth I only use the front halves. We should split on a pack.
tipupesox Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 Purchase some micro tubes in your preferred colors and place them in the same bag as your Berkley Gulp products. The scent will be absorbed into the micro jigs making them more productive.
ChrisK Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 This may be old school but it worked for me when I was more of an avid ice fisherman....Local grocery store frozen section...Frozen squid cut into bite sized strips resembling a minnow...The stuff is rubbery and doesn't fall off easy and the fish seemed to like it.... Cheers !!!
Court R Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 My bait I use the most on hard water would be the jiggin rap.
bigugli Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 `1" white or chartreuse twisters only using the tail half.
OhioFisherman Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 I don`t ice fish Rich, but I have used these even in the summer months, never the smallest ones but the bigger one work. http://www.rapala.com/products/luresdetail...eshorsalt=Fresh http://www.rapala.com/products/luresdetail...eshorsalt=Fresh
Rich Posted January 2, 2009 Author Report Posted January 2, 2009 All great suggestions and I thank you all! And yes I did try cutting the Gulp minnows into smaller pieces, they wouldn't even look at that lol. Will try out the other suggestions though and hopefully I'll have something to report! Rich
Mike the Pike Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 can you purchase live maggots in your area .You will have to keep them warm though.
Greencoachdog Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 (edited) Maybe it isn't your bait, what lb. test line are you using? Braid, mono, or fluoro? It sounds like the water is pretty clear where you are. Edited January 2, 2009 by GCD
johnnyb Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 How about some flies, or little bug type micro jigs? (Ratso, genz bugs, etc.) See Slayingm's post with the pics of mayfly nymphs....
Leecher Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 Rich, I bought the Berkley product "Gulp Alive fish fry" with the little jig heads for pan fish and to me seemed to be the right combo to get the pan fish to strike..... I haven't tried them yet but will certainly cut them in halves and give it a go Another product you may want to try in combination with the fry is the Berkley power paste, in yellow or pink.... it's for trout mainly but dip your jig head hook into the paste, cover it good and don't know why it wouldn't get results. Hope this helps.... Jacques
sonny Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 Rich also remember that presentation is everything when panfish turn finicky,,,it may be as simple as a horizontal jig rather then vertical,,colour,deadsticking or ripping,,,i love the challenge,,,they will bite but experiment,,,i've had good luck with gulp red wax worms,,,but i really like the looks of that gulp fry!!
limeyangler Posted January 2, 2009 Report Posted January 2, 2009 Rich, I bought the Berkley product "Gulp Alive fish fry" with the little jig heads for pan fish and to me seemed to be the right combo to get the pan fish to strike..... I haven't tried them yet but will certainly cut them in halves and give it a go I have tried these....THE WHITEFISH LOVED 'EM! I might be going to a lake that holds perch tomorrow...will try 'em out and report back if i do.
Rich Posted January 2, 2009 Author Report Posted January 2, 2009 Those Fish Fry things look awesome, hopefully they can live up to their name, I haven't had fresh pannies for quite some time.. haha I'll have to see if I can find them locally. Have used live maggots and waxies in the past, and they work wonders. No doubt in my mind those bluegills would have lapped them up, but like I said I'm trying to avoid live bait. And GCD I use 4lb ice line with a 2lb flouro lead .. I certainly hope I don't have to go lighter than that!
trapshooter Posted January 3, 2009 Report Posted January 3, 2009 Rich, look for the 'ratso' made by custom jigs and spins (I believe). This is the most lethal panfish jig I've ever used.
Leecher Posted January 3, 2009 Report Posted January 3, 2009 Those Fish Fry things look awesome, hopefully they can live up to their name, I haven't had fresh pannies for quite some time.. haha I'll have to see if I can find them locally. Have used live maggots and waxies in the past, and they work wonders. No doubt in my mind those bluegills would have lapped them up, but like I said I'm trying to avoid live bait. And GCD I use 4lb ice line with a 2lb flouro lead .. I certainly hope I don't have to go lighter than that! Rich forgot to say that I bought them at Walmart and that the juice in the jar does not smell as bad as in the big bucket you can also get the power maggots and rigged them onto the tear drop jigs like those below in the top right hand corner: Jacques
glen Posted January 3, 2009 Report Posted January 3, 2009 It must be one heck of a tough bite. Hopefully the fish will turn on and start hitting everything you put down there. They have to eat sometime.
misfish Posted January 3, 2009 Report Posted January 3, 2009 If you can get ahold of some simcoe bugs Rich,they work very well. I believe Ron has some photos of them.
sonny Posted January 3, 2009 Report Posted January 3, 2009 Just went to ct tonight and picked up some of the gulp fry,,,will let you know how they work up at simcoe tomorrow!!
crappieperchhunter Posted January 3, 2009 Report Posted January 3, 2009 Rich my go to bait for perch on Simcoe is #2 sized jigging rap's tipped with a neon pink power wiggler on the treble.. My fav colours are firetiger and parrot. Also chartruse with the red throat. Haven't used minnows on Simcoe for years. Good luck at getting bit!!!!
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