What bait for tiny pumpkinseed that won't keep coming off (kids!)

[bitsandbass]

When I use Powerballs for trout, they are rock solid.  I can use them on the same hook for multiple fish.  I can even reuse them the next trip.  They are more like rubber which is great because they dont come off the hook.

 

Is there something like that for tiny pumpkinseed or bluegill, that I can put on a #14 hook, that wont keep coming off?  I love fishing with the kids, but putting on bait every 5 seconds gets old fast haha. 

 

Thanks.

[JacobPollitz]

I would just rip of a tiny price of plastic from a soft bait and super glue it right below the hook point

[bitsandbass]

16 minutes ago, JacobPollitz said:

I would just rip of a tiny price of plastic from a soft bait and super glue it right below the hook point

Good idea.  Would a yum dinger work?  I assume it has to have some sort of scent no?  They wont just eat plastic right?

[looking45]

check out the Zman plastics. You should be able to catch 12-15 fish or more on one boat

[bitsandbass]

Also, what size hook should I use to avoid gut hooks.

 

I have a few #14s.  They are tiny.  And a few #6s, but nothing in between.

 

Should I get some #10s or will the #14s work?  Im just worried they will wolf down the #14s.

[WRB]

Use a tiny 1/32 oz crappie jig, you don't need bait.

Tom

[MAN]

I go perch jerking 3 times a week. This has been an issue with me as well.  Putting on a piece of soft plastics doesn't work where I fish. I have been cutting up a fresh perch into little little slivers and will at least get a couple of perch per sliver.  I am thinking tomorrow about going to the asian market and getting some squid peices.  Cut those into little slivers.  

[bitsandbass]

3 minutes ago, WRB said:

Use a tiny crappie jig, you don't need bait.

Tom

The pumpkin seed in my local pond are tiny.  Fit in the palm of your hand.  Would a jig work for these? 

 

I dont want the kids to get snagged on the bottom though......

 

Goal would be to let the kids cast it out, and bait and wait.  My son is already doing a pretty good job with a yum dinger & beetlespin.  But when the bite is slow, its nice to put them on something/anything, and there are always pumpkin seed around.

[WRB]

Use a bobber about 18" to 24" above the jig and the kids can figure how move it to attract more strikes. You can add a little scent attractant to the jig to get the panfish to start feeding. The 1/32 oz should work for bluegill and larger size pumpkinseeds, they have either size 10 or 12 hook. Turner Jones micro jigs are only 1/64 oz but may be too expensive.

Tom

[Choporoz]

Haven't found a durable bait for kids yet.....I resign myself to threading parts of worms the entire time.

Two tips:

- jigs work, but as with hooks, shorter shanks work best for gills - my crappie jigs have longer hooks and kids don't get reliable hooksets

- slip bobbers are awesome

[bitsandbass]

6 minutes ago, WRB said:

Use a bobber about 18" to 24" above the jig and the kids can figure how move it to attract more strikes. You can add a little scent attractant to the jig to get the panfish to start feeding. The 1/32 oz should work for bluegill and larger size pumpkinseeds, they have either size 10 or 12 hook. Turner Jones micro jigs are only 1/64 oz but may be too expensive.

Tom

 

Thanks Tom.  Do you mind linking one from Cabelas or BP?  There are so many.  Thanks man. 

[bitsandbass]

I found some Powerbait Crappie Nibbles?

Are these like rubber?  Or do they just dissolve off the hook over time?

[Siebert Outdoors]

piece of raw bacon works good and extremely tough.

[JediAmoeba]

Small pieces of gizzard on small circle hooks that are suspended below a bobber works great for my kids.  They catch the occasional bullhead too.

[WRB]

1/32 oz marabou crappie jig in chartruese/black/charteuse should work good for bluegill.

Lots of suppliers including BPS/Cabela's.

Tom

[Choporoz]

https://www.sliderfishing.com/product.sc?productId=70&categoryId=20

[Fishingmickey]

I used to use little bread balls. Get some soft white bread. Pinch off a piece with out crust and roll it into a ball. Pop it in your mouth and wet it just a bit so it is smooth then bait the hook. It works really well for small blue gill and perch. I also used them to catch Golden shiners too.

FM

[MAN]

3 hours ago, bitsandbass said:

I found some Powerbait Crappie Nibbles?

Are these like rubber?  Or do they just dissolve off the hook over time?

It depends on the batch you get its hit or miss. Some of the jars I bought were playdough consistancy and would stay on the hook for 1-2 perch. And several jars are very dry and just inserting the hook will split the nibbles.  I don't bother with them anymore.  

[Black Hawk Basser]

I would try Gulp! 1" minnows.  They are really durable, and should entice any panfish.  Thread one onto a 1/32 oz jig, and suspend it 1-2 feet below a float, depending on the depth of the area you're fishing.  You can always cut the head end off of the bait to make it even shorter, if 1" seems to be too large for the fish.

 

It's key to use a very small float.  That may be more important than the lure you're using.  If your float is too big, you'll spook fish, and they will feel too much resistance on the bite; they will let go before your little ones can get a good hook set.

 

Don't leave the Gulp! baits on the hook after fishing.  They will dry out so hard that you'll have to cut them off the hook with scissors.  And the bait will probably cause the hook to rust.

[MickD]

If you conclude you need bait Gulp little grubs like waxworms work great, and are pretty tough, are clean to handle, don't mess up the boat.  What more could one ask for?  Really, they do work well.

[Munkin]

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/berkley-gulp-alive-angle-worm-soft-bait-15bkyuglplvnglwrmlur/15bkyuglplvnglwrmlur?camp=CSE:DSG_92700040934556316_pla_pla-4582627028710782&msclkid=028e4a3af1091161b72f17212b91f0c0&gclid=CMG45qqkl-MCFYb8swodhMgHQQ&gclsrc=ds

 

I use the little Gulp worms for my daughter.

 

Allen

[Hutch13]

Berkley PowerBait Floating Power Trout Worm are really good and would work on a #6 hook. Pink shad works best where I fish. You can use 1/2 or even 1/4 of a worm and catch pumpkinseed or bluegill . The Johnson Beetle Bou Marabou Jigs 1/32 oz. are pretty good too. I like the Red/Chartreuse/White.

[jimmyjoe]

10 hours ago, Choporoz said:

slip bobbers are awesome

   ^^^  Yup. That's my go-to panfish setup.

10 hours ago, Siebert Outdoors said:

piece of raw bacon works good and extremely tough.

   And that's what's below the slip bobber!   For another viewpoint, try   http://www.wayneswords.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=410:bluegill-tips-&catid=46:bluegill&Itemid=11        jj

[thinkingredneck]

I tie a jig with rubber legs and a red marabou tail.  1/80 oz with #10 or 12 hooks (not sure).  Simple and effective.  You can tart them up, but no need.  I  am convinced that red works best for Bream, and you need some rubber legs.  Those are key strike inducers.  You can also soak them in Gulp juice, once your kids use up the bait!  Hang them under a small bobber or slip bobber.

[Sam]

19 hours ago, WRB said:

Use a tiny 1/32 oz crappie jig, you don't need bait.

Tom

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