Shiners vs. Suckers

Just wondering what everyone’s opinion is between using shiners or suckers for bait for walleyes, northerns, and bass on tip ups. I have always used shiners, but I have never tried using suckers, so I may have to give them a shot…what do you guys prefer?

I think big suckers for northern, smaller suckers for walleye, shiners for bass.

I second that.

I also recall Al Lindner, during one of his shows, saying the largest walleye of his life was taken with a ball head jig tipped with a 6 inch sucker.

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I second that.

I also recall Al Lindner, during one of his shows, saying the largest walleye of his life was taken with a ball head jig tipped with a 6 inch sucker.

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Mine was on a 10/0 J-Hook with a 7 inch live bullhead.

Big fish do eat big bait…

In fact Chappy’s 11 pound walleye had a 8 inch sheephead in it’s belly before it ate the bully. Who would of thunk?

I ‘spose summer fishing some down sizing would be in order.

I think you need to look at the forage in a lake to determine what to use. I used to use suckers all the time. Then I went to a new lake with a healthy population of small crappies. There shiners worked way better. 10-1 the day I used both. 10 pike on the shiners 1 on the sucker.

I typically use sucker minnows. They are pretty much a given forage in any lake. Plus when I fish for walleyes I rig my tipups 12″ or less from the bottom anyway, right where you would find suckers in the first place.

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I think big suckers for northern, smaller suckers for walleye, shiners for bass.

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sounds right to me

Even in the summer I always use small to medium suckers for walleye…whoops, I think I just admitted something. I let my brothers target smaller fish with leeches, jigs and fatheads.

Pug, do you use the suckers on the river?

No, I generally fish them in the river….er…sorry.

Most of my walleye fishing in lakes when out with my brothers. I’ve used suckers in the river, but not to target walleye.

Around hayward, I use shiners for pike, and suckers for walleye. I have never had that much luck with shiners for walleye, even though a few people say they do. I like the shiners for pike because of all the flash they put off.

Good Luck,
Tanner Wildes

Suckers for walleye can be great but if you have the option throw shiners at em also do it and let the fish tell you. Some lakes are shiner lakes some are sucker lakes.

I see you are asking about pike and bass also. Small to medium shiners are killer on LM bass and pike will eat just about anything

shiners for everything and suckers work too. but i always have shiners with me where ever i go and whatever i am fishing for. suckers can be a little more expensive also.

I seem to get more fish on the shiners so I haven’t been bringing many suckers out the past few years.. That is probably why I catch so many pike when I want to catch walleyes Looks like I’ll give soakin’ some suckers a try this winter on the rattle reels

Some lakes are shiner lakes and some are sucker lakes. Some it doesn’t matter. That’s my opinion anyways

How about sticklebacks?

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How about sticklebacks?

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I’ve heard baitshop owners use them to catch cat fisherman.

actually you wouldn’t believe it, by buddies that work for the DNR in wisconsin when doing stomach analysis and I have found them in walleye stomachs too, it is one of the most common bait found in walleye stomachs. I know I started using them last year.

Tanner Wildes

Give me the Big Decoy Sucker Minnows for Pike. Biggest we can find. I like to set the homerun rigs up while letting other fisherman mess with the little guys.