Where can I find large bait??

780sjc · #1 01-07-2011, 08:01 PM

Ive looked around edmonton at most of the fishing shops and the biggest herring or smelt I can find is only 8- 10'' im looking for more like 12-15" as im fishing for big pike. Any info appreciated.

chubbdarter · #2 01-07-2011, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 780sjc

Ive looked around edmonton at most of the fishing shops and the biggest herring or smelt I can find is only 8- 10'' im looking for more like 12-15" as im fishing for big pike. Any info appreciated.

any asian markets or superstores with a high asian populaton near it.

hockey1099 · #3 01-07-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 780sjc

Ive looked around edmonton at most of the fishing shops and the biggest herring or smelt I can find is only 8- 10'' im looking for more like 12-15" as im fishing for big pike. Any info appreciated.

I like your thought process. I always say if im not going to catch a fish im not going to catch a big fish.

I used bait from superstore well over 13" at wab and didnt catch anything with it.

horsetrader · #4 01-07-2011, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 780sjc

Ive looked around edmonton at most of the fishing shops and the biggest herring or smelt I can find is only 8- 10'' im looking for more like 12-15" as im fishing for big pike. Any info appreciated.

T&T market northtown plaza 137 ave 97 st or west ed mall

780sjc · #5 01-07-2011, 08:38 PM

I used 10'' herring at wabamun and caught a 17lb pike and multiple over 12.they wouldnt stay off it. Thought id give some bigger baits a try and see what happens

handicap · #6 01-07-2011, 09:22 PM

Give Superstore a try they have large smelts and they are very cheep!!!!

Erik · #7 01-08-2011, 12:34 AM

I always find that the size of the bait is irrelevant to the size of the fish that you are going to catch, with the exception of bottom dwellers. Getting extra large herring should help with that extra large Ling you're seeking, but not necessarily that extra large pike. Large predatory fishes are large because they are clever at finding an easy meal, not necessarily a large meal. Finding the spot where they stalk their easy prey is probably a more critical component in the equation than upsizing your bait.

That said check out T&T or one of the asian markets downtown (Lucky 97 or the one on 99 St). Superstore does not carry herring, much to my frustration.

WalleyeMaster · #8 01-08-2011, 12:55 AM

like the others mentioned superstore or safeway are good to try if your ever near lacombe the zig-zag gas staion has jumbo smelts 10" and bigger i have a trophy smelt in my frezzer thats 14" long almost want to eat it lol

DaveFish · #9 01-08-2011, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hockey1099

I like your thought process. I always say if im not going to catch a fish im not going to catch a big fish.

I used bait from superstore well over 13" at wab and didnt catch anything with it.

All last winter we used those, caught prolly the 30biggest jack I've ever caught.

-JR- · #10 01-08-2011, 09:56 AM

I stopped into T&T on 137 ave. They had a frozzen bag of fish 8 inches long that I was going to buy for bait. Selling for just under $5.00 a pound.had about 8 fish a bag, maybe 2 pounds in a bag ? = $10.00.
Went to supper store 137 ave & 50 st ,found same bag for $4.95 total.
They also sell large bags of smelts that would be good for bait.

cujo1969 · #11 01-08-2011, 10:42 AM

Go too chain lakes catch some suckers while fishing for trout and ur good to go

dragon · #12 01-08-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erik

I always find that the size of the bait is irrelevant to the size of the fish that you are going to catch, with the exception of bottom dwellers. Getting extra large herring should help with that extra large Ling you're seeking, but not necessarily that extra large pike. Large predatory fishes are large because they are clever at finding an easy meal, not necessarily a large meal. Finding the spot where they stalk their easy prey is probably a more critical component in the equation than upsizing your bait.

That said check out T&T or one of the asian markets downtown (Lucky 97 or the one on 99 St). Superstore does not carry herring, much to my frustration.

I disagree. Pike are known to eat bait up to 1/2 their length and 20% there body weight. small minnows would not be worth their time. Since pike also feed primary using their lateral senses and daytime sight, a larger bait would trigger these two senses.

DaveFish · #13 01-08-2011, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragon

I disagree. Pike are known to eat bait up to 1/2 their length and 20% there body weight. small minnows would not be worth their time. Since pike also feed primary using their lateral senses and daytime sight, a larger bait would trigger these two senses.

Yea, pike will hunt big bait, sunday mike780 and I caught a pike that was maybe 22inches, on a 12inch herring, couldn't even trip my flag on my windlass, just was pulling.

Rob · #14 01-08-2011, 09:47 PM

SUPERSTORE. I've been buying my big pike baits there for about 15 years (6 - 8 inch mackeral, sardine etc.) you get about 6-8 per bag for about $5, but they also have bags of the real giant buggers (10 - 12 inchers and really fat) with about 4 per bag.

As for the results, I don't use anything smaller than 6 inches but haven't really noticed any difference with the biggest ones - except for a lower hook-up percentage due to the size of the bait.

tight lines