If you could only use one bait for the rest of your life what would it be?

[Shawn Allison]

Wanted to get some responses back on this.... If you had to throw everything out but one what would it be.  Strictly for bluegills and also just assume that you could have unlimited number of that bait but only one bait/type/size/color forever. 

[Slip Sinker]

I use the float in very cold water or windy conditions

[TW]

I hardly if ever use bait. When i did use bait it was a toss up between garden worms and meal worms. My all time favorite lure for panfish is definitely Trout magnets. If you have never used them, give them a go, its essentially a micro jig with a smalll grub imitation. I'm going out today hopefully (some areas were iced up); i'll post a report upon my return

[Jason Preslar]

I caught a nice gill on a trout magnet tipped with a crappie nibble a little while back.

[TW]

The only hangup with trout magnets is that you can end up with a ton of 1 inch and 2inch fish (essentially any fingerling or small fry of any species).

[Jason Preslar]

If you catch tiny fish, throw them on a hook as bait. Lol anything will hit a tiny minnow.

[TW]

Here in NJ its a criminal offense lol. I hate the north sometimes :(. Live lining trout is asking for a headache, I believe live lining Sunnies/Brim is also "illegal". And live lining any undersized regulated fish (bass, pike, walleye, etc.) is a ticket. Just talking bout it makes me think we need a rule book for the rule book lol

[Donald Kern]

Here  in Missouri most of the lakes/ponds that I fish are private. Public lakes -- you are definitely right on no bass/ bluegill etc being used as bait. Will probably get some flack for this but  while I'm bed fishing for gills it's not uncommon that I have a 5-8" gill (or bass) on another heavier setup outside of the bedding area. Have caught many large bass that way. ALL released to be caught again. Just fun watching them bust that bait.

[Papa Turner]

Bought crappie magnet @ Walmart after seeing a You Tube video. The day was cold, windy and raining not the best time to fish, but I was getting tried of being inside and wanted to give the magnets a real test. Used just the magnet and didn't tip them with worms. The results I caught Crappies, Blue Gilsl even 2 Yellow Perch so I'm including them on my all time favorite list.

I've tried lots of lures and always go back to nightcrawlers. Years ago I use to go out at night and catch them. Now I have to buy them and @ $3.00 a dozen. The Crappie Magnets are a good deal and no mess.

[Mike Cooper]

For year-round action when targeting 'gills I would have to say waxworms have been my best producing bait.

I usually just use my self-tied flies in the warmer months when the 'gills are more aggressive, though. (never have to worry about opening the fly box and finding it full of dead ones - LOL)

I will give the hot dogs a try in the near future!

[carl hendrix]

FOR MY OPPINION;;; ITS NITE CRAWLERS !!   HERE IN TN.   WE CATCH ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF FISH ON THEM; YEAR ROUND !  AND;;WE HAVE A PRETTY STEADY SUPPLY OF THEM;; IN WINTER MONTHS !