1" Berkley Gulp Minnow

[Dave Lipps]

Have had very good gill catches using the 1" chartreuse shad Berkley Gulp Minnow this late fall season in souther MI, however finding them to be expensive at 3.99/12 in current packaging.  Was able to purchase same item in a 2oz jar for 5.99 with approx. 30 count.  Are there any less expensive alternatives out there in a like manner of product.

[Slip Sinker]

I prefer leaf worms... but these baits have saved me in a pinch when the fish are in a feeding frenzy and you run out of bait. I have a jar of maggots that have lasted me two seasons. I think they are a great value for the dollar. Always have a jar of baits with you while on the road.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Ive never done much catching with these baits, although Ive used them often enough.

Jim is right - they are tough. You get a lot of use from them. That is a good point on their behalf - he used the word value and so it is.

I dont think they are as good as the hype would have us believe, but they have their place. Put them in front of hungry or competitive fish and they will probably stir a bite.

As to your question: "Are there any less expensive alternatives out there in a like manner of product?" - - 

I'd have to say, sorry, no.

[Kenny Weekes]

Next time you pass the Berkley display, grab a jar of chartreuse or pink fish fry. I like them better than the minnow. The little tails never stop wiggling and in my limited experience put gills and crappies into my 20 gallon Coleman cooler or in my boat known as a live well. I fish with 1/64th ounce Northland gum ball jigs below a thill slip bobber on an ultralight IM6 berkley 5 1/2' rod, daiwa regal spin reel and 4 lb. trilene. You may prefer or use a different set-up but give the fish fry a try. I cast out about 15 to 20 yards and slowly retrieve with an occasional 15 to 20 second stop which I refer to as teasing time. Good luck and happy fishing.

[Jim Gronaw]

I haven't caught many gills on these, but the crappie my way love 'em. And, I can catch 12-15 crappie per minnow before I have to discard it and put a new one on.

This is actually a cost efficient alternative, and a tougher bait, compared to buying fathead minnows at $2.99 a dozen  in my area, as one minnow will only catch one fish, or be ripped from the jighook. The Gulp Minnows are much tougher, and you don't have to get your hands wet during this cold season to keep rebaiting hooks. I average 200 to 300 crappie on them each of the last two fall/early winter seasons...Nov and Dec.

[Ronald A Wilson]

I have also used the berkley gulp minnows,watermelon pearl being my favorite color ,and i also think them sorta pricey ,but iguess that might be the hazard so to say of using this type of bait ,i do use some live bait but it doesnt seem to last as long as the gulp alive .

[Dave Lipps]

I have fished the 1" Berkley minnow in the colors of chartreuse, emerald shad and smelt.  I switch colors between them to see which may produce the better results.  Would say the chartreuse color is my go to one.

I use a 1/100 jig head ( orange or chartreuse) with a Rocket Bobber, 9' spinning rod,, set 6-9ft deep fishing along the weed line. Normally I can catch 4/5 per minnow, then it either lost of hook or needs to go back into the jar to renew the scent.

Sure hope there appears to be an alternative product which is less costly.

[Slip Sinker]

i havnt tried the 1" minnow but i have had great luck with the 1" red angle worm hooked wacky style once or twice thru the middle. i keep them in hand when i run out of worms then i dip into them along with the maggots.a jar usually lasts me a season.

what color is your favorite in the 1" minnow?

[John Sheehan]

Thanks for posting this Dave .I have not used them but have wanted to ,but the price discouraged me .