rigging creek chubs

tis the season for creek chubs and I have a good supply from the creek behind my property. I will plan on using them in a river system in pool 4.

what is the best way to rig?

thru mouth, dorsal, tail? trebel or single hook with a slip sinker?

I would like to target areas with current near slack water but does depth play a role this time of year?

any tips would be appreciated

I’ve done well with chubs big ones even rigged on a vmc livebait hammerhead jig with a treble stinger. Lip hooked on the jig and run the stinger to the dorsal fin.
Vertical jigged are night pounding bottom has worked well on eyes for me.
Even chubs up to like 9”-10” this rig works. We slow troll them down this way to making sure to make slight bottom contact every now and then.

I’m sure there are more than a few ways to accomplish what you’re trying to do but here’s my typical system (by no means am I implying it’s the best, there a far better sticks than me on this site, I just try to learn from them)

Hook through the mouth usually wide gap or octopus style hook tied to a flouro leader of varying length depending on water clairty. I’ve never hooked up a stinger to my rigs but may try in the future.

I’ve been running rock runners for weight. I like these for the ability to change weight without having to re tie if you end up in different depths throughout the day.

I fish chubs on P2, especially in the fall, and do it similar to Katmando. I typically get the smalls or mediums which are only 4-7 inches and fish them lip hooked on a jig w/o a stinger though. For the bigger chubs you definitely need a stinger. With the smaller chubs I find the stinger often gets fouled up and makes the bait drift funny. I have had my best days fishing with chubs in the fall.

I was using them from July-Sept in a river system. Once it got cold my minnow spots dried up. I just lip hook with a 4/0 or maybe 3/0 Gama Wide Gap hook.
Ive been doing very well with same size store bought suckers lately but they are expensive.

We rig sucker minnows that are 5-7 inches with no issues on a jig. Never had to use a stinger for this.. I do prefer 2/0-3/0 jig hooks poured on a 1/8-1/4 oz jig.

Larger chubs and suckers on a 3 way rig is second choice. 10 inch drop with 24-32 inch leader line and a 1/0-2/0 hook works fine. Again, never used a stinger for this. I dont even feed line. I just drop the rod tip all the way back to the fish and make sure it is swimming away. Once the rod loads up then I let em have it!

all minnows are hook in the snout.

I use a wide gap hook on 3-way rig and hook through the mouth. I tend to run a longer snell. Length will vary from 3-5′, sometimes 6′. I have a hard time finding them in area baitshops. Anyone have a good source for buying chubs, I’m willing to drive if their good chubs! Thanks.

I usually hook through mouth but I have fished in tournaments that I was fishing for the one big fish and I hover over that fish and hang it in there face. Sometimes if they don’t bite hooking them through the tail works to get them to bite. I am usually not moving much at all when hooking through the tail. It makes the chub struggle to get away and sometimes those walleye can’t resist that.

For the most part if you have a wide enough gap jig head or hook the stinger wouldn’t be needed. Especially if your fishing the river for the pigs.
But I’ve seen them be beneficial on some Shy lake walleyes.

buschman wrote:

We rig sucker minnows that are 5-7 inches with no issues on a jig. Never had to use a stinger for this.. I do prefer 2/0-3/0 jig hooks poured on a 1/8-1/4 oz jig.

Larger chubs and suckers on a 3 way rig is second choice. 10 inch drop with 24-32 inch leader line and a 1/0-2/0 hook works fine. Again, never used a stinger for this. I dont even feed line. I just drop the rod tip all the way back to the fish and make sure it is swimming away. Once the rod loads up then I let em have it!

all minnows are hook in the snout.

Great post!

I am close to this but 3 way or lindy is my first choice over a jig. I like a 1/0 hook through the mouth/snout for big chubs. No stinger.

Not too rain on a parade?

How can you catch creek chubs behind your house and use on the Mississippi river? Isn’t there a law against transportation of bait?

Hell, I can’t fricking dip willowcats on the Mississippi river and use them on the Mississippi river.

Just my rant on how things are.

maybe I been breaking the law? I trap my own chubs and minnows because it is just another hobby and its fun. there are much worse things that people could do. I also do not dump my minnows out for the seagulls when I am done fishing. Lock me up.

eyeguy507 wrote:

maybe I been breaking the law? I trap my own chubs and minnows because it is just another hobby and its fun. there are much worse things that people could do. I also do not dump my minnows out for the seagulls when I am done fishing. Lock me up.

10 4 on that. . Just be a good old Red neck an live your life an be happy.!. Just be glad you don,t live in LA New York City chicago St. LOUIS or MPLS/St PAUL.!!! What F#@kd up world Out There!! . . rrr

river rat randy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>eyeguy507 wrote:</div>
maybe I been breaking the law? I trap my own chubs and minnows because it is just another hobby and its fun. there are much worse things that people could do. I also do not dump my minnows out for the seagulls when I am done fishing. Lock me up.

10 4 on that. . Just be a good old Red neck an live your life an be happy.!. Just be glad you don,t live in LA New York City chicago St. LOUIS or MPLS/St PAUL.!!! What F#@kd up world Out There!! . . rrr

We need more people in the world like you, Randy.