Looking to try colored spikes/euro this year since the bite is terrible, looking to get an edge. I always buy my bait from jada but they don’t sell colored. Wondering what my cheapest option is with shipping? Yeah, I’m cheap like that.. 
THERE’S THAT THREAD! I looked for 10 minutes and gave up, couldn’t remember what the title was.
Looks like it would be $17-20 for 1000, that will do just fine!
Maybe take a look at Knutson’s Live Bait. I’ve been using them for about 4 years now. I only buy the colored bait from them. Been very pleased with their prices and service. They’re located in Brooklyn, Michigan.
We paid $44 for 4000 shipped, $10 for shipping and extra $3.00 to have them split into 500 lots. That was from Vados. If you get them in one bulk pack it would be cheaper.
Your shipping might be more, make sure you ask.
Keep’em chilled! I just had a fly hatch the other day!
Hmm, has anyone tried fishing with flies?
And anotherthing, how is it possible that the flies that emerge are like 3 or 4 times the size of the spikes?
Were the flies colored as well?
My spikes stay at 33-34deg in the back of the fridge except for the handful that go fishing with me. I hardly ever use bait so 1000 usually lasts throughout ice season and all the way to July.
No. Well not that I could tell.
I made the mistake of asking if I could keep them in the fridge. I don’t think she minded until she said, “They look like maggots” and I replied, “That’s because they are maggots”.
It won’t be a problem as soon as I get a new dorm fridge in the basement…or a new GF. 
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I made the mistake of asking if I could keep them in the fridge. I don’t think she minded until she said, “They look like maggots” and I replied, “That’s because they are maggots”.
I’m only allowed to have them in the fridge if they are triple bagged and placed in a tupperware container.
Those spkes have got to be kept cold.
I always split a 2000 spike order into three of the large bait pucks and slipped them way into the back of the fridge where they would be left alone. When I went fishing I’d remove only what I thought I’d use into a small bait puck and that got put where it was cold and kept that way. If the maggots got warmed much at all I tossed them in the hole before leaving for home. Maggots that have been exposed to warmth tend to want to pupate. When that happens the hardened bugs emit a hormone that goes thru the entire container full and encourages the others to do so even if they have been kept cold.
If I had to choose just one bait for ice fishing to go along with the plastics it would have to be a red spike. In fact, I ordered all red spikes and got them 2000 at a time. Some years 2000 would last the season, sometimes I had to re-order. The red and blue colored spikes seemed to have the best longevity but I didn’t have much luck with blue spikes. White, yellow and green sucked for lifespan while the white ones were right behind the red ones for productivity.
One more tip I learned after leaving my bait puck out all night on accident.. If your worms do pupate (turn into hard brown shells), toss them in the freezer and then take them with you the next time you go fishing. Dump a couple down the hole when the bite slows and the falling action will fire the fish right back up.
Or feed them to your pet goldfish. 
Chumming is illegal in Minnesota! 
But accidentally dropping things down a hole is ok.
Tom, that was interesting info about the warmed maggots chemicals triggering the others to pupate. I know that happens in the wild, but never thought about it in relation to spikes.
I have also thrown bait in the fridge in a bag and she was none the wiser. But until we get that second fridge, I am not taking a chance with spilling them some how in our disorganized and over crowded fridge. Mostly because if they spill, I’ll be tearing that thing apart for every last spike.
Place them around the edge of your hole then maybe if you ever catch a fish, pug, it will flop and knock them in the water.
Hmm, it’s hard to get there when I am in my bibs and all bundled up.
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Chumming is illegal in Minnesota!
But accidentally dropping things down a hole is ok.
You can also accidently sprinkle some crushed eggshells in the water too. Accidently, of course. So as you shell those hard boiled eggs on your way to the ice be careful to keep the shells wrapped up in the napkin you might need to use to wipe your nose. Just be careful to not accidently drop those eggs shells in the water if you crumble them up real fine when peeling those eggs. Those fine shells can get into everything especially if left in the vehicle but if you’re careful to keep them away from the hole when scattered they help to prevent slips inside those shelters where heat makes the ice wet and slippery. Just be careful to not let them get in the hole.
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It won’t be a problem as soon as I get a new dorm fridge in the basement…or a new GF.
I’m going to hijack my own thread and ask you if you have any idea what the best mini fridge would be for bait? I need to get one as well, for spikes, crawlers, and leeches. All the ones I’ve seen get down to like 45 degrees which would not work for spikes. Any suggestions on a good one?
I’d snoop around before I got a bargain priced one. Those larve have to be held at like cold to keep them for any length of time and I’m not sure the 45 degree is cold enough. Our kitchen fridge has a “cold” area…it cools much colder that the rest of the fridge….and that was where my pucks went. I’d spend a few extra dollars to get the extra cooling if its just for bait, but some beers need some extra cold too to be enjoyed fully.
My vados order shipped today. Total was $19.50 for 1000 mixed spikes. Not a great price, but about the best I have seen for a small quantity order of colored spikes. Not as good as $15.50 for 1000 white from jada though.
Supposed to deliver tomorrow, hopefully they come before I leave to go fishing after work so I can give them a test. Real interested to see if the colored ones are worth the extra 25% cost.
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