worms or minnows?

[Guest]

I was wondering what works better for walleyes? I've fished with both but i dont know what works better for the BIG ONES.
Thanks

[Guest]

I get most of my big fish on crankbaits. But this time of year, i like to fish with minnows.

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[AaronM]

Im with D-Man, this time of year I use minnows but if thats not working I go to nightcrawlers.

[Fathead]

Hello "the one"

I agree with D-man that you tend to catch more of your big fish on cranks. Although livebait rigging and slipbobbering can produce the Big Mommas as well.

Here is a pretty good rule of thumb for livebait & crankbait usage, based on water temps.

Water temps that are...
in the 40's - use minnows
in the 50's - Leeches, crawlers/spinners or minnows
in the 60's and above - Crawlers/spinners or leeches

For crankbait presentations...

in the 40's; early season; shallow - Work slow 1 to 1.5mph, small to mid size minnow baits #5,#7) with tight wobble action (flt rap, shad rap) or #5 or #7 taildancers.

in the 50's & 60's; late spring/ early summer; deeper structure- mid size baits with tight to moderate wobble, #7 or even #9 flt raps and BB's or 3 ways, #8 shad raps around 1.5mph

in the 70's and above; summer/late summer; mid lake deeper structure - #9 flt raps or #5 or #7 taildancers & BBs or 3ways, 2 to 3mph (for reactionary bite)

in the fall/late fall - bigger baits #11, 13 or 18 flt raps fished in structure near deeper drop offs. Fish location varies throughout the day. Deeper during day, shallow (2 to 8') at night (and awesome on full moons). Speed can vary here as well, but I like approx 1.5mph to 2mph.

[Ely Lake Expert]

hi "the one"

First couple weeks of the season I always use minnows or rapalas. When it warms up I go to leeches or worms.

Ely lake expert

[bigeyes]

For big fish? Deffinitely crankbaits! #7 shad rap seems to work very good!

[AaronM]

Also when I use minnows, the best presentation that has worked for me day in day out is the Lindy Rig. Its by far the best live bait rig I have ever used.

[musky hunter]

Most of my walleye fishing lately has been on the St. Louis river, two rods are legal. I've repeated this experiment numerous times over the last two years. Troll one bottom bouncer with a worm, one with a minnow. I am running a dead heat on that body of water with minnows versus worms. Time of year hasn't made much difference. My conclusion: minnows are cheaper, use them. (This applies for this body only. I've caught hundreds of eating size walleyes doing this). The real big walleys that I have caught: They come on musky baits, about one or two per year, while I'm pitching for muskies. A one ounce Dan Gapen willow blade hairpin spinner with a huge black "mister twister tail" has caught two trophy size walleyes for me.

[Ely Lake Expert]

I am retracting my first opinion after today. I was fishing with chubs (no walleyes, 5 northern) and the guy nearby me fish only nightcrawlers had a bite every 5 minutes and had a few walleyes.

Ely lake expert

[PASSIONFORTHEEYES]

D-MAN

ANY TRUTH THAT MINNOWS ARE STILL PRODUCING
ON MILLE LACS?