Waxies, Spikes, or Mousees?

[dtownalltheway]

I hear a lot of people use a few different things. I have always just used waxies, but I am thinking of trying some other things. What do people on here use and why?

[Iceassin]

Spikes and ocassionally wigglers

[wally-eye]

Spikes, wax worms, mousies and wigglers......have all with me most days......good to have a choice...

[Mr_Jigster]

Spikes.  They are easy to handle, easy to keep alive, and cheap, lol.  Have tried waxies and moussies in the past, but always come back to spikes.

[dtownalltheway]

I forgot to include....this may sound dumb but what exactly are the difference in all these? I've always just asked for waxies

[69Stingray]

usaullay waxies, but we crushed em' on wigglers the other evening.  Its all  cheap, buy some of everything. Thats the smart play.

Tight lines.

[DR.SPECKLER]

spikes for gills cuz they stay lively and waxies are mushy and to big in my opinion on a tiny jig.then emarald shiners for specks at night is hard to beat.

[Mr_Jigster]

Waxies are a bee moth larvea.  Spikes are a fly larvea or maggot-spikes are about 1/3 the size of waxies, and are quite durable.  Moussies are a little more plump than a spike, I believe they are called a rat tailed maggot.  They are more round with a long "tail."  The tail is actually a snorkel.  I've never had much luck with moussies.  I bulk buy 1k spikes in early December, and they stay alive all ice season in the fridge.  Very hardy!  

[marmooskapaul]

I use spikes but would love to have some mousee's. Can't get them anywhere this year.
Paul

[Mich-Again]

Waxies mostly.  Spikes are OK... and they come in red and white.  Haven't seen a mousie in a long time.  If I remember correctly, I think some guys would keep these in their mouth to keep them warm, but maybe I'm just making that up.

I think I might do a little better if I were willing to buy minnows, but I just can't justify the expense... buying one kind of fish to get another kind.  I feel the same way about buying shiners for tip-ups.  Shiners seem to be like candy bars, and pike love them, but I don't want to spend that money every time I go out.

[raisedbywolves01]

Spikes. I've had my best results on red ones.

[stumpjumper]

mousies and spikes, I bought both this year and mousies are outfishing the spikes big time...

[crosscobra]

all the above

[dtownalltheway]

Wow I see a general consensus that nobody seems to use wax worms....i'm def going to try spikes next time out

[blueyes]

Wow I see a general consensus that nobody seems to use wax worms....i'm def going to try spikes next time out

This is because wax worm are to big and when the fish get picky they will tend to bite a small jig and 1 spike much quicker.  but any thing will work you just may not catch as many.... just my thought

[BigBassLee]

I always start off with plastics first.  Nuggies and Wedgees are my mainstay.  Then to Spikes (Red & White).  Gills, Perch, and Crappies all fall victims to this.  I rarely have days that I need Waxies.  Crappie minnows 3 dozen for $4 can last me a whole week of fishing.  Tail hook with a bobber.  Support your local bait shops!

[strike1st]

This is because wax worm are to big and when the fish get picky they will tend to bite a small jig and 1 spike much quicker.  but any thing will work you just may not catch as many.... just my thought

I usually squish half the guts out of a waxie...I usually tear em up just on that deflated body.

[Mich-Again]

Some of those waxies are pretty juicy.  I think the fish are drawn to the guts... like sharks to blood... or something 

[swillerjig]

I've always had my best luck with gills and panfish with waxies and other fish like the spikes better but who knows if there hungry they'll bite

[Darkness Z32]

Spikes are actually maggots, mousies are similar to spikes, but have tiny tails on them, wigglers are mayfly larva (pretty much like a mayfly without wings), and waxies are just like giant spikes...

[fishfry]

Spikes.  They are easy to handle, easy to keep alive, and cheap, lol.  Have tried waxies and moussies in the past, but always come back to spikes.

Same here.

[TJR]

spikes all the way.

[IceinKzoo]

I've got all three in the fridge.   I tell you I have had good luck with spikes and mousies.   Haven't used the waxies too much.  Lately I've reached for spikes every time I need to rebait the hook.  They seem to do a great job on panfish.  Caught two bass tonight with spike on a glow jig.  Thought I had a nice crappie on the line till I pulled the fish through the hole.

[PikeCatch104]

spikes dude i say spike

[dfish17]

If you are looking for Mousees, go to [http://www.vadosbait.com].  I get all my bait there for the year and they are great.

[swillerjig]

Don't keep waxies in the fridge or they will die they need room temperature.

[Rat-Man]

Use all three and one other, which the results are not in yet.

[IceinKzoo]

Thanks for the info on the waxies swillerjig.  I did not know that.  Have done it all my like.  I will leave them out from now on.  Okay to put mousies and spikes in the fridge though?

[kcskypilot]

Spikes, wax worms, mousies and wigglers......have all with me most days......good to have a choice...

Ditto. Got tired of having plenty of what then fish don't want!

[dgb]

Spikes, reds, pinks, and whites. Use 1, 2 or 3 on a hook depends on the presentation you want.