What's better- Waxies, mousies, or spikes?

[marksman72]

I tend to bring a little of each and let the fish decide. Some say they prefer waxies because their easier to hook plus they ooze scent into the water. Others say mousies and spikes are more durable and can take multiple hits than compared to waxies. Has anyone use the colored baits like Eurolarva or synthetic baits like Berkely Gulp? :fish:

[DonP]

Ok Guys...

As an added question to this... how do you best like to put your bait on your jig/hook.... thread it on.... t-bone style... hook one end and let other end hang down.... or other?

Am just curious... should get a good discussion going here!!

[stinger63]

I have used eurolarva which are colored maggots for trout in the south.They were proven a successful bait for them.I have never seen them since moving back to michigan 5 years ago.I would like to find and use them again and posibly for ice fishing as well.

Now for another added question,What is the difference between a spike and a mousie?Oh forget I asked this.the cats chase the mousie and spikes are used to faSten things down with. :lol:

Now seriously what is the difference?

[tangleknot]

We tend to bring a mix also. It's surprising how the bait of choice seems to vary from day to day for us on the same waters. I have a great supply of wax worms that I got from Walleye Mike, but needed to get some spikes today and stopped in at a store that sells bait. They were out of spikes but had butter worms. They basically looked like a reddish wax worm and they seemed to work pretty well. Anyone care to elaborate on what a butter worm is exactly?

I like to thread wax worms on one end, thread spikes, and hook mousies at the top.

[Capnhook]

Ya gotta let the fish tell you what the "bait du jour" is, and how they want it. Capnhook

[The Whale]

stinger63 says - Now for another added question,What is the difference between a spike and a mousie?Oh forget I asked this.the cats chase the mousie and spikes are used to faSten things down with. :lol:

Now seriously what is the difference? I think that a mousie has that dang little tail spike coming off it's rump, also has a tough skin and a "rubbery" feel to 'em. Spikes are a very skinny maggot with a tough skin also and have a dark spot on the end, I think the butt end to be exact. Sharp hooks needed to pierce their skins too, tougher than a normal maggot.

I think. I'm no maggot expert. Thank you very much !
(Walleyes prefer real meat, not just an appetizer !!!)
:lol: :fish2: :lol: :fish2: :D

[chamookman]

When using any of the above mentioned live baits, I allways add a Gulp Maggot (usually pink) to the hook first. This way, if the livebait gets plucked off, they generally come back and take it. During hot bites, Gulp works just fine by itself. Bob.

[9mmruger1]

When using any of the above mentioned live baits, I allways add a Gulp Maggot (usually pink) to the hook first. This way, if the livebait gets plucked off, they generally come back and take it. During hot bites, Gulp works just fine by itself. Bob.

I have never heard of a gulp maggot. :xzicon_sm Can you explain what it is or maybe a local computer whiz would post a pix of each, i.e. mousie, spike, waxie, gulp. I would do it if I knew how to upload pictures.

A little help in that area would be nice too!

ciao - happy new year and keep a tight line!

[ESOX]

Gulp maggots are made by Berkley and come in jars.
I always have some with me.

http://www.berkley-fishing.com/products/PreDetail.cfm?PassPrevious=1476&PassCategoryStructureId=1484&PassLevel=2

[Ed Michrina]

Cool I didn't know Gulp got into ice fishing. The rubber Gulp worns worked great for Walleye in the open water season.

[ESOX]

Ed, Lakeside has had them in the past, haven't looked this year, yet.

[Anger]

I never have luck on mousies. I always use waxies and minnows. I bait my hook "cand-cane style". I notice any hook showing will turn off fish in my lake. I have a friend who uses corn to bait his jigs and does well with perch.

[PWood]

I use mousies under most conditions, although I will usually bring minnows and/or wigglers as well. I thread the mousies on the hook most of the time but have caught fish using one or two hooked once through the non-tail end. Like Anger said, when they're finicky, showing any part of the hook can turn off fish.

[Ed Michrina]

With spikes: grab one of those nasty things and roll it between your fingers (lighlty) . The spike will get small and firm :rolleyes: flip it around until you see black dots. (head) stick the hook through by the black dot. Make sure your hook is small and shrp and run him through in one pass. Yuck! but they work.

[tommy-n]

I don't use nothing but spikes for crappis and gills, when I meet someone that can out fish me I try something different. As for the hook not showing thats BS my hook is allways showing, Ed Michrina nailed it as how to hook them :D :D

[therapy]

I thnik mousies are the best choice, if the panfish are there you should be able to dance one down and get ready for action.They are more durable and have a tail.

[DaveW731]

I have had trouble finding waxies that are in decent condition around here (Lansing). Because of that , I have been using mousies and spikes. Haven't noticed much difference.

[Centrarchidae]

FYI - spikes are larvae of the bottle fly which there are different species and mousies are the larvae of the syrphid fly. By the way, the tail is used to breath while it is submerged. Thought you all might like to know. By the way, I prefer spikes barely hooked through the fat end with the two dots. It allows them to squirm a little on the hook. I usually also take wax worms, but 4 out of 5 times the spikes outfish 'em.

[ESOX]

What's better- Waxies, mousies, or spikes?


Wigglers were left off the list. Any water with a hex hatch and I'll start out with wigglers, usually don't have to change.