Tip-Up Fishing: How to buy, or make Dead Bait

[Golfismorefun]

I want to catch big Pike!!

I heard dead bait is the way to go.

In Minnesota can you buy frozen smelt from grocery stores and use them?

Or should I buy a big sucker minnow and let it die a few days before I use it and then freeze it?

What are some good tips for getting GOOD dead bait

Thanks!

[TomWehler]

Rules now on what you can a can not use for dead bait. Surf around an you will find them here or in your DNR fishing rules book. Grocery store smelt is not legal.

Good luck in your hunt for a biggie.

T

[fsnrod]

Buy some big sucker minnows put a cup or so of canning salt in about 4" of water in a pail put your sucker minnows in it overnight freeze or use.

[TomWehler]

This will help ya.

Click>>> http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/bait/index.html

[20lbSloughShark]

Just a heads up, I tried the preserved minnows, and pike will not eat them, same with hooligan (sea smelt). They will take them for about 30 seconds and drop the bait every time. Regular, frozen, lake smelt worked great, and was one of the best pike baits. They are no longer legal. It is my opinion that an 8"-10" live sucker is the best pike bait in MN.

[hydro]

I have heard that a hot dog or bratwurst works. Sounds crazy but worth a try some day.

[20lbSloughShark]

I've heard that too. I just wonder how anybody found that out.