spike vs mousees vs wax

[ironld]

im a newbie an tried spikes mousees and wax worms but am yet to conclude that one out fishes the other, or found a pattern when or were fish recommend one over the other. whats everyones 2 cents on when and were to fish with these different baits?

[SHUBA]

fish are just like us they have moods and appetites that can
 change daily or throughout the day. you never no
same as lure color have to work to find what they want
 That is the fun of fishing         good luck and please
STAY SAFE AND FISH HARD WATER

[trapper2000]

I have always done best with spikes  ...they last longer   and are cheaper then wax worms but they all work

[deerefishyfishy]

I have always done best with spikes  ...they last longer   and are cheaper then wax worms but they all work

X2. Same for me

[RIVERRAT2]

spikes as a base,but in some ponds waxies work better,or some mousees work better
i go with what the fish want.
  ;DRAT

[Mountain Maggot]

I have and use all three and jumbo meal worms.  I find that some fish prefer one over the other.  But if talking about trout their preference in order is:
1) waxworms,
2) spikes,
3) mealworms, and
4) mousies.

However if you can find colored ones the order of preference changes.  Because waxies have such a short shelf life and are full of goopy insides.  I use them first.  If fish are picking them off the hook, add a spike or mousie as their skin is like leather.  Once you are out of waxies, go to meal worms.  Like waxies, they are full of goop.  If you bait shop doesn’t have them or they are so pricy you need to rent them, go to your local pet shop.   Mealies are food for reptiles and some birds so you can always find them in bulk cheap.

Mountain Maggot 🐛🐛🐛

[sodussut]

for many years used mousies at Sodus and fathead minnows. When mousies got expensive, turned to waxworms and spikes. I find wax worms to soft and good for only one bite and spikes are to small. Mousies are just right and minnows  after I get the perch started with the smaller baits. Then there perch eyes which are excellent since they really stay on the hook  and their cheap!
 

[Stabalogek]

I've had the best luck with spikes, but have others on hand just in case

[swampking89]

I've found spikes work better for pannies but perch love mouses better.

[Mountain Maggot]

I love perch eyes.  They are deadly on perch and even trout.  I pop one out of my first perch with the tip of my filleting knife and catch fish after fish on the same eye if you put the hook in the back muscle of the eye.

Then when I am filleting I collect all the eyes and freeze them for my next time on the ice.

[Hess]

For Crappies & Bluegills, I prefer spikes -- they are also less expensive and seem to last longer...!

[perch chacer]

I love perch eyes.  They are deadly on perch and even trout.  I pop one out of my fish perch with the tip of my filleting knife and catch fish after fish on the same eye if you put the hook in the back muscle of the eye.

Then when I am filleting I collect all the eyes and freeze them for my next time on the ice.

I second the perch eyes.

[moosefeet]

We use spikes for gills, crappie and perch with good results.  Never have tried perch eyes but have always heard they work well

[ironld]

my buddy out fished me with using perch eyes a few weeks ago on cranberry pond. guessing any type of pan fish eye will work the same?

[basshunter12748]

Plastics are superior to all of these. More color. More scent. More durable.