Shiners vs. Fatheads...

[eyepatrol]

What's your preference?

I like shiners, but they're so danged expensive!!! That's pretty much why I stick with fatheads. Otherwise, I'm spending $8/doz on shiners ($32/weekend) versus $2/scoop ($4/weekend) for fatheads. That's a case of beer fellas!

Anyway, just wondering what everyone's preference is.

[Gus]

We usually have both available and let the fish tell us what they want. Most times though it doesn't seem to matter a whole lot for walleyes. For pike we find that the shiners do seem to out perform sucker minnows of the same size. Leeches are also a great performer for us on slip bobbers.

[Fish Head]

Sometimes I will buy both too. However I usually use the shiners unless the fish tell me otherwise (which rarely happens). I'll let others in the boat use the fatheads or I'll use them if I run out of shiners.

[fisherking01]

Depends on the lake I am fishing. I predominantly fish fatheads and shiners are only used for pike and walleye on a couple of lakes. I have access to both, so price is not a deciding factor. If I had to choose one over another to use all of the time, I would choose fatheads. I have a friend who only uses shiners and it is very uncommon for him to catch more fish, but it does happen. I jig a lot and prefer the fatheads for that also, he uses shiners. Many days it may not matter, I think that the natural forage base plays a role in what works.

[poutpro]

8 dollars a dozen? WOW. They are expensive here but not that much. I really like using leeches if you can get them, and fatheads seem to work fine for me especially if you can get the big ones. Also look for chubs. I really like them and they are also pretty cheap. I sometimes get my own bait with a sein and an umbrella net. If you can see a school of baitfish, you can get 300 minnows pretty easy in 2 or 3 swoops of the net. Then just stick them in a big drum next to your dock.

[eyepatrol]

Yeah, about $8 a dozen! It's like about 75cents per minnow almost. That's why I hardly ever buy shiners. Plus, I've found it difficult to keep them alive, especially on warm days. So I just go with the fatheads and that has always seemed to work real well for me on walleye. Jig & minnow combo, long line snell, slip bobber, all work well for me with fatheads. I'll buy shiners for ice fishing since I don't do much of it and it seems to be easier to keep them alive because it's cooler out (obviously), but otherwise I go with the fatheads. Leeches can be hot too and so can crawlers, but around here there's lots of carp and bullheads and minnows seem to keep them off the hook a little more than leeches and especially crawlers. It's sometimes nice using leaches and crawlers because I'll run into some nice sunnies from time to time, but when I'm fishing walleye, I want to pretty much just catch walleye. Sunnies can be had at just about any time of the year.

[musky hunter]

I agree, $5-$8 per dozen, and the bait shop might count them! Ouch! You can't go wrong with a shiner. But the truth is, sometimes it just doesn't make much difference. I fish the St. Louis River system a lot, dark water, and would prefer shiners because they generally offer a larger target. But I have also done quite well when I can't get shiners and rely on chubs instead. Sometimes, I'll compensate by putting two chubs on one hook. But I cannot say that success was retarded by the lack of shiners, that just ins't true. Walleyes like most everyting that swims.

[outdoor ran]

I use fatheads myself. There cheaper and they stay alive alot longer. The walleyes don't seem to care either way at the places I fish. I do like to use small suckers once in awhile for walleyes.

[MuleSkinner]

I used to always have some shiners along with the fatheads. Then one time, I had almost only all shiners along. I kept getting nibbles/bites that I couldn't hook. I had exactly 6 fatheads along, and switched to them. Boated 4 walleyes, released a fifth one a little too early. So for some reason, the walleyes were mouthing the shiners, but taking the fatheads.

Since then, because of the price and mortality rate of shiners mentioned above, I seldom buy them anymore, except in late spring, or when I have 3 of us in the boat. Of course, I do use them if recommended by resort owner/bait shops, but I keep in mind some of the bait shop guys seem to want to push the shiners. I assume they have a little better margin on the shiners, plus they don't live as long for them either?

[JoeTC]

Ouch Basscatcher. $5-8 a dozen? sounds like you need to find a new bait shop. I only pay $4 a dozen and that usually includes about 3 dozen. I guess it depends on where you are.

I usually use shiners cause I have more confidence in them but recently I've been doing better with leeches. I like leeches a lot more casue I can keep my line in the water longer without having to switch. But I always used to do fine with fatheads also. I'm sure each lake is different. you just gotta give em what they want.

[Tonka Boy]

On most occasions I can make artifical baits work better than live bait. Over the past couple of years I have nearly stopped buying live bait with the exception of hard water. Of course it's not always going to do the trick, but I suggest gaining confidence by any true walleye angler. It's a good way to search for that trophy, as well as cut out some of the "nibblers" that pester your live bait rig.

Give it a try...you may never pay $8/dozen of shinners again!! BTW, 95% of the time I use live bait on open water, I'm going with JUMBO leeches, not minnows.

[island guy]

I'm with Tonka. I don't think I've purchased bait for 10 years. Once in a while I'll pick up some crawlers after a rain. During the winter I make about 10 to 15 dozen jigs. It's all I use.

[poutpro]

depending on what type of artificial baits you are using, you may spend more for them than for live bait. If you buy 2 rapalas you will be spending over 10 dollars. They do last longer, but I always seem to rip a few off in rocks or weeds, and it always seems to be my favorite one. When i do use live bait in the summer, leeches seem to work best for me until about July when they temp goes up and the eyes move in shallow.

[island guy]

Jigs that I use are made for pennys. Gives me something to do on cold winter nights also.

[trophychaser]

My first post!! WOW

I usually use shiners ice fishing. The main lake I fish shiners outfish fatheads close to 5-1. Probably just the lake!!

[cmoredrakes]

fatheads work better for me during the open- water periods and shiners work better under tip ups or a jigging rod.

[deacon]

I would rather spend my extra cash on other things, ok beer. Opener we always buy some shiners with the fatheads. Fatheads have always been able to catch fish when they are biting on shiners, second I would rather fish with a live fathead then a dead shiner especially when jig fishing.

Nothing worst then looking at a bucket of dead shiners.

[hip_hop_fisherman]

I agree with the other posts spending the extra money on beer rather than shiners. Everytime I buy them it seems like start dying off as soon as they're in the bucket. Fat heads stay alive a lot longer and have always caught me fish. Why change? Besides at 5-8 dollars a dozen, thats like 2-3 gallons of gas!

[HuskerTornado]

I like Shiners and Red Tails a lot, but do well with fatheads as well.

[steel24]

For minnow s for me it's Red Tailed Chubs followed by shiners and fatheads...I usually try all three and see which one they like..Chubs are my go to when Lindy riggin..

[EYEHUNTER10]

If I can find good healthy golden shiners I'll use them all winter long but nightcrawlers and leehes all summer. A jig and a twister or some shallow raps at night. Especialy early and late in the season when the water is cold. Shiners have been the ticket on opener for many years though.