Best tip up bait

[no bait nate]

I'm heading to Devil's Lake on the 4th with a large group of guys and we're looking to do some rigging for pike. We have used frozen herring or ciscos in the past, as all bait must be dead except fathead/crappie minnows.

We're having trouble lining up our bait situation before the trip and I'm wondering where other guys are picking up their bait and what is available. Looking for 8-12 dozen frozen baits, herring/ciscos/smelt or something similar.

We're leaving from the metro and taking 94 out of state, anything along that path would be helpful, thanks!

[delcecchi]

I'm heading to Devil's Lake on the 4th with a large group of guys and we're looking to do some rigging for pike. We have used frozen herring or ciscos in the past, as all bait must be dead except fathead/crappie minnows.

We're having trouble lining up our bait situation before the trip and I'm wondering where other guys are picking up their bait and what is available. Looking for 8-12 dozen frozen baits, herring/ciscos/smelt or something similar.

We're leaving from the metro and taking 94 out of state, anything along that path would be helpful, thanks!

If it were me and I was under the gun, I would check grocery stores both mainstream and Asian. Frozen smelt and other fish, especially the Asian stores.

But we have a bunch of them in Rochester. I bet there are also a bunch in St Paul, or maybe the united noodle company

United Noodles

2015 E 24th Street

Minneapolis, MN 55404

Tel: 612-721-6677

[lungdeflator]

The smelt at the grocery stores are small. I would check the bait shops along the way and also the ones in Devils Lake. They are bigger, usually sold in a ziploc bag with 8-10 in a bag I think. They work great for pike out there, thawing them out helps release the scent and look a little better.

[efgh]

I know a person who swears by chicken beef or pork hot dogs. Never tried them myself.

[eyeguy 54]

many northers over there like hot dogs stick a treble hook thru it and a fathead minnow on one barb. wiggle wiggle.... chomp.

[Alagnak]

Asian market by Menards in Savage had some primo sized smelt a month ago. Guts in, individually frozen in a big bag 3# or so $7.

[20lbSloughShark]

Buy a dozen large suckers, put them in a bag, and throw them in the freezer. That's the only dead bait I use any more. I loved frozen smelt, but they aren't legal in MN any more, and I have no idea where you could buy some. You can only get the preserved ones.

[Boar]

frozen suckers, but a tube of Dr. juice trout lure and marinade them then freeze them. wish i was a northern, YUM!

[eyeguy 54]

sounds tasty