20 Best Live Bait For Walleye (2023 Updated)

I love fishing. I hate wasting money. That’s why I buy the Gulp curly tail grubs. I get the big fish and don’t waste all my money feeding trash fish with fresh shrimp. Simply put: if you don’t have this in your tackle box along the Gulf Coast, you are not planning to catch fish.

All the best inshore game fish hit this bait. For example, I went with a guide and two friends to Sabine Lake in Louisiana last year. One of my friends and I used this curly tail Gulp and the guide and our other friend used live shrimp.

I caught 27 flounder >16″ and my friend using the Gulp also caught 16 flounder >15″ while the guide and the other friend using live bait caught the remainder of our limit of 7 flounder which were barely 14″.

Thanks to the Berkley Gulp, we were back at the cleaning table with our daily limit in about 3 hours. which included the boating time. Love those baits :).

Been using these gulp minnows for several years now. The best size I’ve found for crappie is the 1 inch. I fish from the bank at my local lake and have had people get up and leave after seeing my son and I catch multiple fish within minutes of arriving.

One evening in particular we caught 70 crappie in about 2 and half hours on these 1 inch gulp minnows. Best crappie bait on the market!.

Bought some summer 2021. Tried them this summer. Wow, hot summer day and drifting these under afloat and jig, I caught 4 nice catfish 2. 5-7 lbs. Lost 3 others and one had to be close to 20 lbs, could not land the big one no net.

I was using the 3″ emerald shiner color. I will incorporate these into my trout fishing.

I ordered two 100 count bags of tequila sunrise worms. I thought. But I received some blue worms instead. I was contacted by a guy named Josh who said I could send them back and once received, they would send me a refund and then I could reorder.

I tried to reorder before I sent them back but noticed when I finalized the order, it switched to the blue worms. Even the picture showed tequila sunrise color on the confirmation order. I kept the blue worms because I don’t trust them to refund my money.

Too bad; I’ll have to find something similar from a different company.

I have used the Black 6 inch worm for many years. It has become my Bait of choice when fishing is tough. Most of the time fishing is tough anyway. Many other fisherman know about this bait and it gets bites.

I have set up a rod and reel and line to best fish this specific worm and keep it ready at all times. This bait is excellent for the younger fishers to use and learn bass fishing rigged Texas Rig. No Hang-ups.

It gets bites.

I understand people don’t buy and fish huge worms like they used to. I understand suppliers don’t want to tie up money in inventory that collects dust while they pay inventory tax. But if you’re going to bother to have a big worm available, it seems a color like Black, Blue, Grape or something else other than green pumpkin would be a heck of a lot more logical.

I would buy a pack of “logical color” big worms but, you can keep your green pumpkin junk.

Have used the Gulp minnows in 1″,2. 5″ and 3″. The 1″ for trout. bluegills, rock bass and catfish. The 2. 5″ and 3″ are mostly for catfish,bass, rock bass,crappie and almost any other common fish in fresh water.

Colors, black shad, emerald shiner, fat head. All seem to work. Fished on jig heads under fixed float, slip float and BAWB, slip shot rigged, without weight in creeks and drop shot rigs. These minnows are my go to fishing bait.

Thank you Berkley for adding science to a very popular pastime.

Realistic. I must have missed that it is fish scented. Do keep it sealed tight in its pouch bag, maybe double up and add a second zip lock bag. Else risk bad odor in tackle box. It’s prone to falling apart, breaking, after several casts or after a full day, not meant for a second trip use.

Life like. But I’m not sure if biodegradable or if harms fish or environment, else it would be great. So I can’t buy it ever again. Saw two sizes for sale. Otherwise, it’s “life-like” and seems like it would attract fish.

Only used it a couple of times so far.

Not the most durable bait out there but all I can say is I’ve been fishing for fifty years and the only thing that I’ve possibly caught more fish with than these is good old worms. Talking with other fishermen I’ll tell them,well Some of them how much I use gulp minnows and some of them will smirk and say “yeah really? Gulp Minnows? OK…oh well their loss.

Try them and see all I’ll say. Good fishing!.

Bought these at the start of the year because of the natural look but was very disappointed with everything about this lure. This lure produced one 18” pike after 3 hours of fishing. And after all that the tail fell of on the first fish.

The treble hook on the bottom screws up the movement of the bait. I use and like most storm products but this was a big disappointment. This bait is garbage and has no place in my box.

Obviously the gentlemen who gave this a one star review has never ever ever fished a frog before. I have fished every single frog ever designed and this frog is in the top 3 frogs as far as the ease of walking.

My son who has never fished a frog was able to walk this frog. So don’t know what that’s all about. Anyhow besides amazing work ability, this frog has some of the sharpest best hooks of any frog out there, love the Mylar in the tail.

Really allows frog to have a breathing quality after you stop the frog. Only negative is I wish they had a better selection in colors or at least broke up the colors some. Frog is larger than most frog and with solid white frog it’s a little overbearing.

Highly recommend this frog. I’ll be purchasing more.

This is my honest review of this bait. It’s definitely trash as the name implies. Half the time the frog lays on its back, suggesting it’s not properly belly weighted. Also, it behaves more like a standard frog and not like a true popping frog.

Hence, the only saving grace is if you can get it to sit properly in the water, you can easily walk it. However, I’m not trying to fish all day with this frog and fighting it to sit right on the water thereby taking it out of the strike zones or having to recast in hopes it sits right.

Also, for the price, definitely not worth it. I’ll just stick with a SPRO or Booyah Pad Crasher.

Pops or walks well, comes through cover well, great hooks, holds up to heavy abuse – what else do you want in a frog? A+ all around.

Its a good lure, well made but the hooks will not last up in saltwater. Recommend changing the trebble hooks as this is a super lure in saltwater. Not to be used around heavy cover and snags but works well from a kayak or small boat for inshore pelagics and even some grouper.

Recommend you create a burley trail when running the lure.

This is a fish catching crankbait. As soon as it was hitting the water I was pulling fish after fish. I’ve used a color similar from another brand but it caught fish but most of the time I had to deal with it twisting around the hooks often.

As soon as I saw this color online I knew I had to have it because I knew it would catch fish and I mean big fish. I’m in love with Rapala because their crankbaits are one of the best one made. Keep up the great work and I can’t wait to see what color or colors are next.

The Rapala DT series consists of excellent crank baits for large mouth bass fishing. They have high quality hooks and split rings, dive to the depths advertised, and, altogether, cover a wide range of depths from 4 feet to 16 feet.

The series comes in a wide variety of color patterns that allow you to mimic virtually every type of forage bass feed upon. They are made of high quality balsa so they float up over obstructions when you pause the retrieve, especially if you tie them on using buoyant, nylon mono-filament fishing line.

I have found the DT 06 and DT 10 to be the two most productive sizes, in either the original bluegill pattern in clearer water or the original shad color in stained water. I use them in lakes where the primary bait fish forage consists of bluegills and red ear sunfish, where the lures’ deep bodied profile does a good job of imitating the shape of the bass’s prey.

I just fished this lure for the first time over several days in Ontario, mid-July, in transition areas – along weed lines and above deeper grass beds. It definitely gets bit! Largemouth, smallmouth, and bowfin.

This size/color worked great for me in clear water at sunrise. There is something about the size of the bait vs hook size/positioning that seems to ensure both trebles will be in the fish one way or the other.

I ended up not fishing it after a while because I was molesting so many big, healthy fish. I know, right? I might try changing the rear treble out to a smaller hook or sump’n.

Sometimes you want a small presentation for bass and need it to go deep. Most lures this size will only dive 3-5 ft. This lure will get you down to 10 ft with a 20 lbs braid main line, tied to a 12 lbs fluorocarbon leader.

This is great for taking over the top of submerged grass or beating rocky banks. The size of this lure will get bit by little dinks to up your numbers as well as smoked by big bass who just want a quick snack.

This lure is a little light to cast on most bait caster but will cast a mile on a good spin combo. Used this bait yesterday to catch 5 bass ranging from under a pound to one that was over two. When fall roles around and bass are keyed in on small shad, this lure is going to be dynamite because I’ll be able to keep it 10 ft deep in deeper water and bounce it along the bottom in the shallows.

As with all Strike King lures it is more expensive, but, it consistently dives to the depth advertised with the correct set up. There is also a wide variety of colors to cover your type of shad or situation.

The Strike King 8 XD is my favorite deep crank bait for big Bass. I throw it a mile on my Lews XD Series rod, the baits runs deep and true. Solidly built too. I have caught several HUGE Stripers on it and they hold up.

I highly recommend these to anyone fishing deep! 🎣.

Incredibly handy little tool. I have attached to one of the loops on my PFD. Much more convenient than puling out my pliers, or looking for my scissors. The retractable cord keeps it tucked up out of the way when not in use.

Cuts braid, mono, flouro all equally well. Will likely be picking up a second one for my son. Great tool for kayak fishing, or fishing in general.

It cuts 65lb powerpro maxcuatro braid and all other lines I’ve tried quickly and cleanly. Great little tool to attach to your life jacket while kayak fishing so its always where you need it. The only thing I’m really worried about is the retractable leash.

Seems like its not going to hold up too long. Insides needs to be sturdier and with a coated wire line for longevity. It would be nice if they made one with a aluminum body instead of cheap plastic but overall I really do like it because its very useful.

Working with 2-4 customers per fishing trip this is a must have tool. Regardless of the experience level of the angler, stuff always happens. With the clip and retractable cable the Boomerang line cutter is always At the Ready.

From cutting braid to mono it performs like line cutter should. I’ve used it from 40# braid to 30# mono salt water and down to crappie lines with 6# braid. It’s a must have tool for any type of fishing situation.

Looks sturdy and will be used to fish at less depth. Will be compressing the barbs on the hook for personal and children’s safety and humane treatment of caught fish

Bought this for bass and walleye took it to the pond and the bass loved it fish after fish, but it broke the next day a bass just shook and snapped it. It dose look phenomenal in the water.

I have this crankbait in 4 different sizes and they all work great! Walleye just love these. They are so real looking and built very well. I have landed many large Pike and Walleye with these hooks and the only problem I have had is a twisted up split ring from a really strong Pike.

Even after the countless teeth clamping down on the hook the paint only has a few minor scratches.

Absolutely won’t go fishing without it ! I am a fish aholic that’s all I do on my time of ! I’ve caught a lot of big bass using the classic bass! It truly is the best I’ve ever used ! If ur not getting a bite ,freshen ur lure or worm up ! Almost guaranteed a bite next cast ! Walmart sells out within a couple days it remarkable !.

I really like the Baitmate scent products! I use them regularly for bottom fishing and flats fishing. I usually put it on cut bait. A little goes a long way. Snapper, grouper, etc. can’t resist, and I love the increase in the strikes! Have more fun on the water, and tight lines!.

Tried it the other morning for 1st time. Squirts out nice and thick, sticking well to bait. Hard to avoid squirting some on bottle itself though while using. Didn’t catch a catfish that day, but too soon to rate product.

I’ll give it another try next outing.

Between the jointed and regular 2-3/4 flicker shad i may have all the colors. A few doubles as well, one is none and two is one. We have been using them for trolling trout. Work pretty good. A few different people have said replace the hooks.

I will get around to it. That is my only gripe, have lost a few fish so I will blame the lure not the angler. Good deal at $3-4.

I’ve used these side by side with the original flicker shad, and I think the original just works better. This works, it catches fish, it has the same reliable qualities of the original flicker shad, but I don’t think it works as well.

I keep a few in my box for the ‘just in case’ moment, but these are not my go to flicker shads. I feel like these catch more fishermen than fish. The action looks so good, and seeing your trolling rod pulse when this thing is in the water is so much fun, but it still never catches as many as an original flicker.

Was a the bait shop just lookin saw the purple fire tiger. said to myself as always if we’re a fish I’d hit that. next time out with my buddy started throwin it 2nd. Cast caught a smalll mouth. probably got 10 a missed few all day my buddy said get him 1 next out only lure we used all day crushed the smallies.

My go to worm for years has Been the Zoom speed vibe, but ever since these came out, I haven’t even thrown the zoom. The action in the blazin worm is parallel to none. Something about the blazin worm makes the sketched out bass take a chance they normally wouldn’t.

That’s what I love about them. Paired with a 2/0 Googan hook and 3/8 tungsten green series you can’t beat it. You just can’t compare anything else to it honestly. Also just purchased 2 more packs of the nightclub blazin worms because I went through the 1st pack within an hour.

Picked up a few packs of these to try out. They look fantastic in the water and do exactly what they are designed to do and the bass absolutely crush them. My only gripe is only being able to get about 2 fish tops out of one.

Also, if you’re fishing ponds with smaller bass. Prepare to constantly lose the tail! Really though if you have a good stock of these, then who cares because they WORK!.

Smooth action and long lasting. This bait goes perfect with any combo you set it with or works perfect as stand alone. This universal bait can swim across the top of the water or bounce it across the bottom on the back of a jig.

Love how functional this worm is to use in any situation. The durability gives longevity to get multiple strikes and no other bait looks like the blazin worn nor can compete with its action.

well made lure great price, works well will be getting more in different colors.

Excellent sinking liplles rattle bair

Looking forward to putting this to the test on Lake Winnebago,,,

The durability of this bait is really unmatched by any other bait I can think of, I have one that literally is missing half of it’s body, the plastic lip, and even the middle hook after dozens of beatings from Pike, Small Mouth Bass, Large Mouth Bass, Walleye, Musky, and even Bluegills all in one lure! I always have it one me as a lucky charm! It’s action is beautiful and perfect as expected from Rapala and always produced fish throughout the day.

And can be used for any tactic like trolling and casting. For patterns I have Silver, Blue, Yellow Perch, and Gold Plated Fluorescent Red. All are very good patterns, I would recommend Silver for sunny days, Orange for cloudy days, and any natural pattern at any time.

For sizes I’ve always used 4-3/8″ and up to 7″ for Pike, Walleye, Bass, and Musky. I don’t really recommend using any smaller as they become very light and hard to cast in the wind, unless your fishing for Crappie and all other species of Panfish.

I personally would recommend buying three patterns for each light level, one bright neon for cloudy days, one shiny/reflective for sunny days, and one natural for any other times. The only downside to this bait is the price.

It may seem like a pinch for the price but it is easily one of the greatest investments I’ve ever made. I have hundreds of lures and this is still my number 1! Thanks Rapala for another beautiful bait, that has caught me countless fish.

The go to bait! The perfect multi-species bait! Advantages Catches all species of fish, large variety of colours, beautiful action, the best durability in the business. Disadvantages Cost.

The Rapala floater has caught lots of fish for me all over North America. Most notably I have caught hundreds of pike with them over the decades (using the larger sizes and primarily standard/common colors).

I mostly use them on topwater, though a faster retrieve causing them to run a foot or two deep can work great, too. Again, I have caught hundreds of grayling in Alaska and the Yukon as well, using the 3 and 5 centimeter sizes — for some reason the grayling can not resist the gold color on a sunny day.

As a note, the Countdown and sinking models work fantastically in the Northwoods on walleyes, especially starting about an hour before sunset. On big lakes, let them get deep. Experiment with the colors.

If a lake has perch or bass, try those patterns for sure.

I just bought the Rapala Original Floater F09 Balsa Jerkbait in Gold and Black. WOW!!! this is my all-time favorite artificial bait to use on bass. If they are not hitting anything else, then I get my F09 out and like magic, I start getting hits.

This is one of these situations where. If it’s not broke don’t fix it. My other favorite color is the silver shad. These two will work for any water condition. The key is working the bait to drive the bass crazy to make them strike.

As soon as I wear these baits out I will be back to buy more. Thanks, Discouttackle.

I have used this tail to catch just about every species of fish. They can be used in many different ways. I mostly use for Crappie and Bass. White bass, hybrid bass, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass.

The tail is harder to pull off. Largest hybrid was 5. 25lbs. Largest largemouth 4. 5lbs and crappie that was 2. 75lbs. They work best on a road runner.

I went Fishing on the Delaware River got some nice Small mouth bass, a 15 inches Walleye NON Keeper as to be 18 inches as of 2020 to be a keeper Walleye and same Sunnies Fish. Delaware river water temp’s was around 86 degree’s or so.

great bait works well for crappie and i have caught some bream and small bass paired with lucky strike 1/32 ounce jig head

Firstly they hooked me, so any good fisherman seeing a product and like what they see, you mind says they have to be. Well I got to use them Friday and Saturday (11 & 12 June). With offset they seemed to hook majority through the side of the mouth which also made it very easy to remove the hook.

Also releasing a fish basically unharmed. In my opinion a very good hook and I gave them 5 stars.

Not that eagle claw is bad at all I kind of have a buyer beware notion to these Trokar hooks, mainly because they are a little pricey for the quality they may or may not offer. I found 18 bucks for 7 or 8 hooks to be a bit much.

But let me start by saying not all circle hooks are equal in size. When I received these hooks (7/0) they were more like a (4/0) hook. Also, picture is deceiving too because they do NOT have a very wide gap at all.

Personally, it would not work for the bait-fish I plan on using; hence the 3 out 5 rating. Some good alternatives are the Team Catfish double Action Circle Hooks with 7/0 and 8/0 which are most versatile for 6-10 inch baits.

Gamakatsu is a good choice too because they are sharp and lightweight for an all around better hook set. If you want to stay with Eagle Claw products the Octopus Circle Hooks are Lazer Sharp and are more appropriately sized.

The L7228’s are really nice too. Again, I think that these 3 the Gamakatsu, Eagle Claw Octopus and the Team Catfish have the appropriate sizes.

I purchased the 8 different search patterns that were used on a guided trip on the Columbia River. We were targeting suspended, post spawn, walleye by slow trolling over ridges and holes below the dam at Umatilla.

By providing a variety patterns we were able find the right pattern to hit a limit of walleye as well as some bonus smallmouth bass. Bandits run true and plenty deep when matched with proper lines and leaders.

The paints are vibrant and respond well to UV. A guide may need up 6 matching lures once the pattern is found, the price make these easy to stock up.

Bandits are great for getting down deep in a short distance without addition of snap weights. When using planer boards, you don’t want too much line out there to tangle with other setups. We fish these in Saginaw Bay all soft water season.

As many fishermen have experienced, Bandits are HOT, HOT, HOT for walleye! I am a little new to walleye trolling (3-4 years) and find that my catch rate is best when I run Bandits. Even if you are not sure of them, try just one in your spread and see if that side of the boat gets hit more.

There is something about the rattles or wobble or both that appeals to walleyes. I rate a 4 because I find the price a bit high, no fault of the manufacturer and all blame on the retailers. I also rate a 4 because Bandit could produce “custom colors” at no additional cost to the end consumer and they do need a better color selection that appeals to walleye.

Jigging Raps were the go to bait at the Cabela’s NTC on Lake Winnebago in September. With the shallow heavy rock reef presence in the lake it was difficult to use any jigging rap that had a forward hook.

Moonshine Lures have no forward hook. The Moonshine Lures were very popular and the Holographic Shiver was the color that worked the best for us. All the stores in the area were sold out and when we lost our last one in this color our luck changed.

These lures have a little different action than other lures I use. Something different. Guys up north like Shiver minnows and will soon be used farther south. If it swims it will bite a shiver minnow.

The shiver minnow is different then other types of jigging rap style lures it has a rolling glide action. Best lure I’ve found when walleye go deep in late July- into fall. Use #3 for larger walleye #2 for 4lb and smaller walleye.

Check out the boys at next bite for videos on how to use them.