Shiners or Suckers?

[O2Fish]

I will be fishing a lake this weekend with both walleyes and northern. There are a bunch of aggressive 18-26 inch gators. I also want to be set up for some walleye that are fewer in number than the pike. I usually use smelt but I was thinking either shiners or suckers for this trip to somewhat target the eyes too. I have caught quite a few walleye on shiners in the past but have never really tried suckers. Which should I load up with? Im also tossed between circle hooks and a small treble.

[Northlander]

Walleye/pike season is over unless your up by Rainy and LOW.

[O2Fish]

South Dakota.....home of year round eye pounding!

[OTBASSER]

The best luck that I have had is on suckers... including my biggest. I also prefer suckers because they aren't as fragile as shiners and tend to stay livlier longer.

[trouthunter87]

I have been ice fishing on the Mississippi River for years and pretty much only use shiners on my tip ups. For some reason, I seem to get more strikes with shiners...might have to do with the silver flash they have. Friends of mine who brought sucker minnows along always have fewer strikes. However, with the new bait regulations, shiner minnows are getting hard to find at many bait shops. Just my observation in southeast Minnesota.

The fishing season is open year-round on the Mississippi River.

[chris63]

Try using ciscos!c63

[riverrat56]

For both pike and eye's I'd go with shiners between those two choices. My top choice would be medium sized Rainbow or Redtail chubs but they aren't too easy to find this time of year.

[O2Fish]

I guess I could give you more info. The lake also has a large population of small perch, rudd, and white suckers. There are a few nice bass to be had also. I was thinking suckers because they are more hardy but then again, I haven't had much luck with them for walleyes.

[O2Fish]

And thanks for the help!

[Jim Uran]

It's really a lake to lake preference. I like suckers and small trebles on most lakes, My best advice is to bring both and find out what they like.

[PerchJerker]

I'd vote for shiners if you can find them but why not bring some suckers along too?

[JBone]

Shiners hands down! Suckers suck....2inch shiner for eyes and

4-5inchers for pike.

[andrew chadwick]

shiners, and rainbow chubs!

[The Hex]

What JBone said.