Will leeches work?

[Kyle Sandberg]

On friday night, my whole family is going fishing(four people) and we can't troll. So we'er going to bobber fish and I've been thinking about using leeches. Is the water to cold yet and will the walleyes eat them. Also, when it comes the minnows, what works the best thats not making me go to the bank to get the money to pay for it.

[CEDES]

Leeches will do you right !!

[Dave B]

I hope you are going early (12:01am) Saturday morning, the season is closed on Friday.

Also, you should be able to troll with 4 in a boat. I have 3 lines out from my 14' boat and could easily do 4 lines if I had another person.

[big musk411]

Leeches should work. Below 50-55 degrees they will ball up on your hook rendering them ineffective. Water should be 60+ by then so you should be fine. Fatheads are usually a good bet for chiep minnows.

[nofishfisherman]

I've always had better luck with minnows early in the year but that could just be the lake I fish on. I am sure leeches will work as well. I usually do a fat head on a jig and then either verticle jig it or cast it out and bounce it along the bottom on the retrieve. I have seen fatheads anywhere from $2.50-3.50 for a scoop. 2-3 scoops will give you lots of bait to work with.

Slip bobber is also a good way to go so don't let me talk you out of your current plan. Just offering alternatives if you want to give it a shot.

[Jim Almquist]

If you don't have to worry about perch or rockbass you could try crawlers - they are free if you pick them yourself

[Team Otter]

Leeches should be just fine but don't be afraid to have some minnows at your side too.

[ripstick]

Depending on the water temp. I used to use leeches. But I always would bring leeches and minnies.

[Kyle Sandberg]

Yep, sounds like I'm using everything. Buy some crawlers from wal-mart(2 doz for the price of 1 at a bait shop), leeches from my grandpa(traps em) and a whole lot of bait for walleyes and crappies(crappie fishing during the day).

Oh, and yea, I meant to say saturday morning, 12:01 am.

[Boedigheimer]

K dawg, leeches and bobbers are a great way to catch a bunch of walleyes, on many lakes its the best way. And don't worry about water temp. being too low, leeches are quite active down to the low 40's, bait dealers start trapping as soon as the ice goes off. I will be on Mille lacs where there will be hundreds of bobbers floating around with leeches underneath them. Hope you get a bunch, walleye and fried potatoes for breakfast, Yeeehaw!

[Random guy]

Leeches are swimming Red currently, my guess is if they are swimming the eyes are eating them.