New gear for 2012

[brent jordan]

So i recently purchased some new lures and gear for 2012 mostly purchising bass gear but the love of Bluegill in me forced me to take a look at the panfish baits. I came upon Berkley Gulp Corn and Berkley Gulp Maggots and bought a jar of each.I have had good success with the maggots in the past but was wondering If anyone has had any success with the Berkley Gulp Corn. 

[Tony Livingston]

Dwayne, I don't want to answer in Johnny's place, but I will tell you that in a NORMAL winter, ( I didn't order any this year), I order 1000 spikes in Nov, and end up feeding the remainder, which are still alive, to my caged Bluegill fingerlings in April. That's quite entertaining, by the way.

They do give off ammonia, which requires that you replenish their bedding every so often. As I explained to Leo in chat yesterday, Do NOT dump them out on the kitchen counter to do what you think is a 2 minute chore. They revive very quickly in warm air temperatures, and several hundred maggots crawling to every point on the compass, simultaneously, could potentially lead to a strained relationship with whomever shares your abode.

I keep mine in the bottom compartment in the fridge, and turn the temperature down to 35 degrees.

They are available in several colors, I always order the red ones as I seem to have better luck with them. When they are colored, some places get fancy and refer to them as "eurolarvae". Still a maggot/spike.

Hands down, one of the best BG baits you can use, in my opinion. Definitely one of the hardiest, when they are hooked correctly.

Sorry to jump in here, don't mean to get in Johnny's way.

[JBplusThuy]

Attempting to keep maggots in the fridge would strain the relationship plenty, lemme tell ya :-) I can usually get away with worms or crawlers, so long as they're also in a plastic bag and I keep 'em outta sight in the back, but maggots? I ain't even gonna ask :-)

[Johnny wilkins]

Thanks for answering that is all correct. Shipping in extreme hot weather is hard but it can be done. These arrive in a foam cooler but- when UPS pints them on your steps- in hot weather you could leave a giant cooler out - Or have them shipped where they won't sit in the sun all day.
When it is 85 + making sure you get them in side or cool fast will mean they last longer for you in storage.

Change that sawdust on them- keep them in a spare fridge to avoid divorce. 

[Dwayne Denison]

Thanks for the info Tony

[Dwayne Denison]

I have a frig out in the garage, I think I could get away with it, if I did not tell. She knows I store worms out there. Spikes might be a different story. I think I would be safe as long as I called them spikes.

[John Sheehan]

Ha ha One time my brother called me on the phone and had  my wife on the line. She went to the downstairs refrigerator and said"the worms are gone ,he's fishin'"!

 

[Johnny wilkins]

Check your fridge temp and 34, 35 degrees will make them last a long time. The key with spikes - fish them fast and reorder because new, live spikes will beat 4-week old bait Every time!
Use older spikes to attract gills - use the new stuff on the hook. Also white spikes arrive larger, stronger than colored spikes- these will naturally last longer for you. However - certain high- light situations such as high noon will require some darker spikes- like the reds because the fish just can't see well in the über bright white water. If the fishing slows - you'll know.
I just order white and then switch to red worm rig for "high noon"...

[Israel Dunn]

I have never used the corn, but I know that the red worms and maggots work wonderfully in WI.   Have you tried the Gulp crickets?  I always wonder how well those work?  I tried live crickets once, but most of them got a way while I was trying to get the container open.  Hahaha