Dead Bait Options

[vaughan]

Forgetting about what’s allowed where, what do you think is the better dead bait to use.......suckers, pond sh8ners or herring?

[goggleye]

in North Dakota lots of pike caught on 1/2 a hot dog   

[JonPerry]

If I was fishing for pike, I'd use herring.

[slipperybob]

I used to buy whole smelt at the groceries store until my state outlawed that. 

[perch chacer]

Your question depends on the waters fished.  I know in my preferred lake for pike, they forage on golden shiners.  If it's not a bait in the lake, whether dead or alive I don't use it.

[shawno]

Here in SK, we are not allowed to fish with live bait except for leeches, crawlers and small grubs. Depending on your targeted species of course, but here are some of the dead bait we use in the winter:

Perch eyes, Walleye eyes, whole shiner, minnow head, beefheart, ciscoes, herring, sardines, pike belly ( cut to look like frog legs I guess you could say ) and if you really want to get exotic: cocktail shrimp, hot dogs and pickled herring 😬

I’m sure there are other things out there, but that’s a pretty good list there. Assuming your targeting Pike, from your list, it's got to be herring all the way.  But if you're looking for panfish, try the minnowhead off your shiner.

Gord Pyzer always says, “I wouldn’t give you a dime for a live minnow, but I’d give you a quarter for a minnowhead”

[esox_xtm]

If the target is pike I'd second the herring pick. I've done plenty well dunking dead stuff that doesn't actually swim in a particular body. Oilier and fishier is better but more for the bigger size of the herring than anything else. Other than pike, I'd pack both shiners and suckers and let the fish tell me what the flavor of the day is. Sound like a cop out? Maybe, but I've seen preferences change on the same body of water with live bait so applying that to drowning deads isn't much of a stretch.

@ slipperybob: We've got some fairly restrictive dead bait rules in WI too. Still available but costs an arm and a leg due to certification and preservation rules. One way around is to visit an Asian grocery that has a good selection of frozen fish in the round. Almost dirt cheap, frozen fresh for food and works well. A variety sold as "mackerel pike" is my favorite. Very much a tiny pike appearance with those neat blue/silver mackerel colors. Again, think oily, fishy, long and thin vs. a round shape and it'll work.

WARNING: Can't say how a discussion with a CO will go if they find you fishing with that stuff. If I do it, mine are always salted/brined to satisfy the WI rules on dead bait preservation. Had a few conversations here and have always passed but won't be liable for raw bait or other states.

[Kobey]

Out of the choices you gave I'd pick the herring, but I'd take some good whole smelt over herring anytime.