Blade baits

[Stiff]

Since LOW has relatively colored water I think many people have made Rattle spoons and rattle jigs a standard part of thier arsenal, hoping to "call fish in" and it seems to work pretty well. Does anyone use blade baits like sonars up there with any regularity? Any success (or failure) stories to share?

[Old Guide]

Stiff, I've been using a Zip lure. It's been producing some nice walleyes. Got a nice Jack (northern) on it also. Used Coldone's pickeling resp. on it!<P>------------------<BR><B>Old Guide Charters</B><BR>Lake of the Woods<BR><A HREF="http://fishingmn.com/oldguidecharters/" TARGET=_blank>http://fishingminnesota.com/oldguidecharters/</A><BR>Call Toll Free:1-800-952-(9484)

[Guest]

'Cicadas' are my mainstay on LOW, I use the smallest size in the Gold/Orange combination with the rear hook tipped with a minnow head. I like them because they really vibrate when you lift them off the bottom and they have lots of Flash. Like a darting baitfish. We fished the NW Angle a couple of weeks ago and both Walleyes and Perch just hammered it when lifted off the bottom moderately fast about a foot or so. They are made by Reef Runner lures.

[Piker]

I've always liked Northland Whistler jigs. They're cheap and usually very reliable. A gold whistler is always in my tackle box and I bet I try it every time. I like to have something like that on the line I jig with to "call" them in. Then my bobber line I hardly jig at all, if they're finicky they'll take that often times.

[Stiff]

JL<BR>I picked up a cicada over lunch yesterday. Any thoughts on what size works best? <P>Also, the one I got has two hooks rather than a traditional treble. Any trouble hooking fish with these? <P>It's common practice to replace the middle hook on a jiging rapala with a larger treble. I wonder if that would be a good idea for this bait too, or if it would mess up the action too much. Maybe the back hook would be a better idea since that's the one that will get the minnow head.<P>Just some thoughts.<P>Stiff

[fiskyknut]

Bladebaits are a good option at times. I prefer Cicadas and mentioned these last winter in that 'things to do post'. These have at times saved the day for me many times. I bought some Zips this past summer but have'nt used them thru the ice yet, did catch fish on them from boat in the fall. <P>Fisky

[Guest]

Stiff, I have always used the smallest size, I'm not sure if it's weight. I wouldn't go bigger than 1/8oz though. They all come with the double hooks rather than trebles. <P>I never thought about replacing either of the hooks. But if you do I would like you said replace the rear hook and leave the front hook alone. I don't think it would mess up the action at all. In fact after giving it a little thought here the hooks on the lure are a little on the wimpy side as far as the size of the wire they are made of. So, replacing the rear hook is probably an excellent idea. I think I'll give it a try myself.

[fiskyknut]

The 1/8 ouncers are the smallest with 2 double hooks. 1/16 ouncer has a single double hook on it. I like the 1/8's and the 1/4's too. Amazing the fish that will take those little 1/8'rs. For you Perch guys, that littlest one with a short droplink off it instead of the hook can be deadly. Probably have to use splitrings for hook switches, thats why I would worry about action especially on the smaller ones. I've never tried it though.<P>Fisky

[Guest]

Hey thanks Fisky ! I just buy the size I like by looking at them in the package. Never actually checked the weight. I need to buy a bunch, I lost 3 on LOW this winter and my supply is getting down. They seem to be hard to find down here. I found them at Cabelas, but thought I might just order some off the WEB to save myself the drive, but wasn't really sure of the weight. So, thanks again !<BR><P>------------------<BR>Jeff