Wire worm's for whitefish?

[Gillfisher]

Wondering what size wire worms and hook style to use for whitefish on the Bay of Green Bay, I'd like to tie some up before the ice hits. 

[Wiener]

I'd go small.  Maybe size 14 or so.  If you go any smaller, they tend to break when you need to use a needle nose pliers or hook out.

a little longer shank, with an upturned eye works pretty well.


Wiener

[CMMahy]

Here's mine that I've been using out here in Alberta:



When I tie my next batch, I'm going to go down one size, but keep the same style of hook as it worked well and helped with hooking light biting fish.

[Gillfisher]

Thank you CM, it is nice seeing an actual picture of the worm. Did the bead heads work better than the worms without them?

[CMMahy]

I can't say for sure that the beads work better or not, I haven't really had the chance to try all the different styles yet. I just tried a few variations since I had everything sitting around already.

[Bellybuster]

just saw this post, do you guys use these alone or with bait?
thanks

[dachmation]

I can't say for sure that the beads work better or not, I haven't really had the chance to try all the different styles yet. I just tried a few variations since I had everything sitting around already.

CM what size and type wire are you using?

[CMMahy]

just saw this post, do you guys use these alone or with bait?

I tip them with 2-3 maggots.

CM what size and type wire are you using?

I can't remember the size off hand, but it's called "Wire worm wire" and sold in most fly tying sections out here. It seems to come in all different colors as well. I'll try and grab a picture of the spools this evening when I get home from work.

[CMMahy]

Sorry for the delay, here's a quick picture of 2 spools of wire that I use to tie wire worms. It is 22ga wire.

[Drifter_016]

Here's a pic of my worms. 
These are work best for us here in Yellowknife.
Two different hook sizes with two different sizes of beads.

[CMMahy]

I really like the looks of those! I might "borrow" it when I tie some more, if you don't mind 

[Gillfisher]

Drifter, nice looking worms. Do you only use that color combo? Cold you please tell me what size and style hooks you use? Do you use these as a dropper off a heavier lure? I am trying to improve my catch this winter on the Bay of Green Bay, I have had some small success the past two winters there but think I could be doing better with some help from those who have been fishing whitefish longer. Thanks for sharing your flies.

[Drifter_016]

Drifter, nice looking worms. Do you only use that color combo? Cold you please tell me what size and style hooks you use? Do you use these as a dropper off a heavier lure? I am trying to improve my catch this winter on the Bay of Green Bay, I have had some small success the past two winters there but think I could be doing better with some help from those who have been fishing whitefish longer. Thanks for sharing your flies.

We find that this colour combo with the red beads works best in my location.
During open water I run them below a float or on a fly rod and in winter I have used them as a dropper.

[Wiener]

GillFisher,

Where on Green Bay do you fish?

I fish from Dykesville north to Larson's reef, and have great luck with a neat little setup an old timer showed to me.

Slide a small treble hook on your line, let it slide up far enough to be out of the way.

Tie on a nice ball bearing swivel.

When that's tied on, let the small treble hook slide down to the ball bearing swivel.
Using the Ball Bearing Swivel tie an overhand knot to hold the treble hook in place.

Now tie on a leader, with a Swedish Pimple. (gold works best for me)

Tip the Swedish Pimple and the treble by your swivel with wax worms.


This catches a few bonus fish that hit the ball bearing swivel when they see it bouncing up and down.

You could even try to tie on one of the wire worms in place of the plain treble hook.


Hope this helps,

Wiener

[Gillfisher]

Wiener,

Thanks for the tip, I'll try that out this winter!!!

What size Swedish Pimple do you use?

Have you ever tried wire worms on the Bay?

We usually fish near Dykesville, and maybe a little north, I know the one spot is in 40' of water and the other in about 30'.

We have been using pin minnows tied above a small jigging rap with waxies on the pin minnow and a minnow head on the bottom hook of the jigging rap. Most fish that I have caught have been on the pin minnow. I usually horse them up to the whole to fast and loose them when they do that mad dash in the last 5 to 6 feet below the ice

[Wiener]

The Swedish Pimple that I use is usually determined by the depth.  (Larger / heavier for deep water)

Normally I use a size #5.    When you fish at or near Dykesville, get away from the crowds.
I have had great luck in 10 - 20 feet of water, but you need to be quiet.  When you are in Deep water, It's not so important.
I usually get small minnows right at the Gas station in Dykesville,  Minnows and minnow pieces work well.

I always try waxies,  and I want to try wigglers just to see how good the bite would be.

You want to find a mix of sand and gravel, preferably with zebra muscles.  IF the ice is thick enough, use a GPS to find the first steep dropoff.

I found a spot like that off of Little Sturgeon last year.  Limited out in 2 hours.

I have not used wire worms, but the northland Bro bug collection works very well.

Hope this helps,

Wiener

[Gillfisher]

Weiner,

Thanks for all the tips, hopefully we will put more whities on the ice this year.