Soft Plastic Baits

[Kill Switch]

I once read that scented plastics (twister tails and so on) are not effective in Kipawa. I tend to agree. That said salted plastics seem to work well.
Has anyone ever simply salted their own plastics? Sounds crazy but I am tempted to try it.

[RHYBAK]

Add a bit of Garlic Salt with Lemon Pepper to make it more appealing to the Walleye with a refined pallet.

[Kill Switch]

nice one Rhybak. Smoked paprika too.

[Greg]

Not sure I agree with your first statement "not effective in Kipawa"... I have caught many walleye on kipawa with a plastic tail on a jig head, and a leech, or small part of a worm, on the hook - always seems to work fine for me!

Also, this summer was the first time I have used powerbait minnows and we caught 50+ out of our ~70 on those...

None of these have ever had salt, garlic salt, pepper, paprika, etc...

[RHYBAK]

Greg

I think the whole thing about using plastic it to get away from the bait.
So , my question is, have you caught walleye using plastic ( anything) without tipping it with worm or leech.

In my opinion, if your using worm or leech, why waste money on the plastic.

[NortonJoe]

My choice of bait is pretty much lures, spoons or jigs/spinners with night crawler. I have plastic bait but have never really used it because we have the crawlers available. Incidentally, I've tried leeches but seem to do better with night crawlers. My other problem with plastic bait is that it seems to me it would tear easily from the teeth on the walleye and pike.

[Greg]

RHYBAK - point taken - have I caught walleye using only plastic? yes. 

But it was more because of 1) the worm or leech fell off and I set the jig head on the bottom to setup another rod   or   2) because I ran out of bait in the boat and we just decided to fish anyway... but the numbers definitely do not compare than if you just use worm or leech as bait on a jig-head.

Now - comparing to pike, or bass, in the Ottawa river (where I live & usually fish) - adding a bright coloured plastic to any hook (spinner, crank bait, buzz bait, etc.) always gets you more fish than going with nothing on the hook... probably a factor of the dirty water...   maybe it is just habit....

[T-Bone]

Add a bit of Garlic Salt with Lemon Pepper to make it more appealing to the Walleye with a refined pallet.

You're a dork, Mr. Rhybak...but I did laugh when I read that! 

I truly believe this business about scented plastics or salted plastics is solely designed to catch fisherman, not fish. We didn't use scented anything or salted whatever...caught a ton of fish. For all I know the scented and salted may not smell or taste good to the fish...no matter what the bait maker says. It's all Marketing with very little evidence (if any) behind it, I promise you as I do it for a living.

If I can use live bait for walleyes or any species really, I'm using it. If you want to put the odds against you, don't use live bait. But in general, I'm fishing to catch fish...not to see if I can handicap myself and still have some level of success. Now, if you're on a lake that doesn't permit live bait? My choice would be to find another lake. 

323... 

[getthenet]

On a lake like Kipawa,where the fishing pressure is next to nothing,I believe in the "KISS" method ! (keep it simple,stupid)

[RHYBAK]

Add a bit of Garlic Salt with Lemon Pepper to make it more appealing to the Walleye with a refined pallet.

You're a dork, Mr. Rhybak...but I did laugh when I read that! 

I truly believe this business about scented plastics or salted plastics is solely designed to catch fisherman, not fish. We didn't use scented anything or salted whatever...caught a ton of fish. For all I know the scented and salted may not smell or taste good to the fish...no matter what the bait maker says. It's all Marketing with very little evidence (if any) behind it, I promise you as I do it for a living.

If I can use live bait for walleyes or any species really, I'm using it. If you want to put the odds against you, don't use live bait. But in general, I'm fishing to catch fish...not to see if I can handicap myself and still have some level of success. Now, if you're on a lake that doesn't permit live bait? My choice would be to find another lake. 

323... 

Hey , it's September.
We all need a laugh or two once in a while

Hah... Countdown clock says 280 days Trip one walleye fishing
Trip two next year will be October Moose hunting

[Canuckbass]

All I use is plastic on Kipawa, Berkley Power Minnows in smelt colour.

Scents make a huge difference, if a walleye holds on to bait for a second longer so you can set the hook its in your favour. Cheap unscented baits walleye can spit faster then you can set a hook.

I wouldn't even fish without proper scent, I'd rather sit on a deck without a rod as your chances are the same.

Bass fishing background and scent most days makes a huge difference.

Fishing is all confidence.

[BH]

Best scent is a piece of night crawler or leech.  Can't wait till next year and do it all again!

[SgtCrabby]

My understanding is the scents main purpose is to cover up the smell of the fisherman.
But if they work for you, go for it.

[T-Bone]

Scents make a huge difference, if a walleye holds on to bait for a second longer so you can set the hook its in your favour. Cheap unscented baits walleye can spit faster then you can set a hook.
Fishing is all confidence.

Sometimes the fish is faster...sometimes not, I believe it wholly depends on how closely you're tuned-in to the bite that outing. Night and day difference sometimes in our group with regard to who's catching and who is not. Almost without fail, those not catching are missing nearly every fish because they're simply not paying close attention to the jig...or inebriated, which is commonly the case. 

Well...like Sarge said, if that's what gives you confidence stay with it; just guessing, but I'd say fish will grab and hold a live leech on a small unscented plastic body longer than an artificial scented plastic body without a leech. Who knows. Unless you're wholly against using live bait for some reason, I can't see why you wouldn't. And why pay the extra to Berkeley for the scented baits versus using the cheaper basic plastics if you are using live bait. 

Canuck...do you tip the Berkeley Power Minnow with live bait? 

[Canuckbass]

Scents make a huge difference, if a walleye holds on to bait for a second longer so you can set the hook its in your favour. Cheap unscented baits walleye can spit faster then you can set a hook.
Fishing is all confidence.

Sometimes the fish is faster...sometimes not, I believe it wholly depends on how closely you're tuned-in to the bite that outing. Night and day difference sometimes in our group with regard to who's catching and who is not. Almost without fail, those not catching are missing nearly every fish because they're simply not paying close attention to the jig...or inebriated, which is commonly the case. 

Well...like Sarge said, if that's what gives you confidence stay with it; just guessing, but I'd say fish will grab and hold a live leech on a small unscented plastic body longer than an artificial scented plastic body without a leech. Who knows. Unless you're wholly against using live bait for some reason, I can't see why you wouldn't. And why pay the extra to Berkeley for the scented baits versus using the cheaper basic plastics if you are using live bait. 

Canuck...do you tip the Berkeley Power Minnow with live bait?

Great thoughts Tbone.
I do not tip with live bait. I can't tell your the last time I've bought live bait, maybe 15+ years.

I agree, being in tune with your gear and presentation gets way more hookups then not paying attention. Most bites don't move rod tip, have to feel a nibble and set hook.

Using plastic I can control presentation and cover more water.

Most times plastic works best for me, some days I get my butt handed to me by live. It's all preference.

I'll be up this Wed to Sun, time to close up island.