Wax Worm substitute?

[Rebeleye]

Considering the amount of times I've decided to go fishing at last minute, I'm usually stuck with deciding whether I should pick up some wax worms before going out to target gills/perch/crappie.

What kind of plastics do you prefer as a substitute for waxies? Also, scented or non-scented? Thanks

[Rick G]

The Gulp minnow fry and the 1in minnows have been some of my go to baits the last couple seasons. I have also hade good luck on the Impulse line of baits with their mini smelt being my favorite. Little atom has some very good baits too. Clam also has an interesting line up this year. So many variations of plastic to use now that I can't remember when the last time I used live waxies.

[popriveter]

I buy a block of small frozen squid ($3/lb @ asian grocers.) When I am short on time, I grab one set tentacles and throw it in a bait puck. They catch fish as well as waxworms, but once they've thawed, they turn to stink really quickly, so you'll want to throw out any unused bait and rinse the bait puck when you get home.

One time, I left a few tentacles in a ziplock in my car after a late season outing. The temp rose to 40 degrees over the weekend. My stunk for months.

[Rebeleye]

I buy a block of small frozen squid ($3/lb @ asian grocers.) When I am short on time, I grab one set tentacles and throw it in a bait puck. They catch fish as well as waxworms, but once they've thawed, they turn to stink really quickly, so you'll want to throw out any unused bait and rinse the bait puck when you get home.

One time, I left a few tentacles in a ziplock in my car after a late season outing. The temp rose to 40 degrees over the weekend. My stunk for months.

Interesting... But, I gotta say, them things give me the heebee jeebeez.

[minnesotathorn]

I have used the tentacles a couple times with some success but my buddy win't touch the things & both times he outfished me using wax worms. not ready to give up yet. my thinking was as bad as they smell when thawed the fish should love em.

[Vitreus]

Purchased some gulp alive waxies yesterday. Haven't had a chance to use them yet. I'll report to this thread once I do so.

[DrJuice1980]

The gulp waxies have worked well for me in open water. Your hands will come away smelling like you've been playing stink finger though. Sorry didn't know any other way to put it.

[Gordie]

I have had really good luck with my old power bait worms for bass and gulp baits that I use for jigging bass and eyes, also the tentacles from the power tubes work well

I take them and cut them up into real fine ribbons and into different shapes that look like waxies or mousies, its a way to use some of the opened packages that I have left over and it saves a few extra dollars, and it allows me to use a few different colors too.

I have also done well with gulp maggies.

[castmaster]

The gulp waxies have worked well for me in open water. Your hands will come away smelling like you've been playing stink finger though. Sorry didn't know any other way to put it.

Thats exactly what it does! The one thing I just do not like about Gulp!

They need to changer the name to "Gulp used to be alive!" because I have never handled fresh live bait that left my hands smelling like that stuff.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Little atom micro nuggies in purple, white, glow, and pepper pumpkin are excellent plastic baits.

Gulp alive 1" twister tails in pearl work well in the summer and winter.

[Alagnak]

Cut pc's of chicken skin into little strips works pretty good.

[TruthWalleyes]

I ordered a bunch from b-y baits. Was the first person to order so I got a few extra. Good looking plastics

[wmw]

canned corn will work. not as well as wax worms.

[gritsnham]

Gulp or lindy plastics have always been my favorite. Action goes a lot further then scent does some days.

[Naturboy]

I went out to a tournament one time a forgot the live bait at home so I had to use what I had. Berkley Gulp and Power maggots and they did work great. Since then I've used the plastics made by Northland and I use those a lot also because they work great..

[pikestabber]

I ordered a bunch from b-y baits. Was the first person to order so I got a few extra. Good looking plastics

I just got my B-Y Baits order last week and tried them out this past weekend. These things are heads above any plastics on the market that I've used (i.e., Clam, Northland). The size is perfect, the scent is strong, and they outperformed wax worms for me last Saturday. 100% happy with them.

[workin4bait]

I have been using Gulp Alive 1" fish fry for the last couple of years.

When I forget that I have used other left over plastic worms cut into thin strips. It is all in the "sell",if a fish thinks it is something to eat it will try to eat it.

workin'

[TruthWalleyes]

I just got my B-Y Baits order last week and tried them out this past weekend. These things are heads above any plastics on the market that I've used (i.e., Clam, Northland). The size is perfect, the scent is strong, and they outperformed wax worms for me last Saturday. 100% happy with them.

Sweet, good to hear. I tried to put a post on here a few weeks ago when i got mine, but it got removed instantly.

[leech~~]

Interesting... But, I gotta say, them things give me the heebee jeebeez.

Huum, they do kind of look like a Tube jig. With the added smell I wonder how they would work for Lake Trout?

[pikestabber]

Sweet, good to hear. I tried to put a post on here a few weeks ago when i got mine, but it got removed instantly.

I was wondering about that...saw your post, looked into them, and ordered because of it. When I got my order, I went back to comment on your post and it vanished. Internet magic

[Dylan8351]

I use plastics predominately, mostly those by Maki, but if bait is a necessity and I can't get to a store, bacon fat or chicken skin are great alternatives! They last a long time too!

[Rebeleye]

Lots of great ideas/options here. Thanks everybody!

[TruthWalleyes]

I was wondering about that...saw your post, looked into them, and ordered because of it. When I got my order, I went back to comment on your post and it vanished. Internet magic

Almost same thing here.

[Slab_Supper]

I like using small chunks of pickled eggs. They come in different colors and have a good scent. Best part is that if you are hungry you can eat them. Goes geat with a cold one of your favorite beverage of choice. Way better than a wax worm.

[CrappieSlayer44]

Beaver tail works great.