Re-using suckers.

Posted 9/29/2001 9:36 PM (#1728)
Subject: Re-using suckers.


I have a few questions concerning suckers. How many do you take along on average? If a musky grabs one and it's still alive but beat up a little do you replace it or re-use it?

Personally I have never had a sucker hit more than once unless the fish missed it and it came back for it. Today, for instance I brought four suckers and all got chomped but were alive. One was still quite lively. Boated two but never had a second hit on any sucker.

Posted 9/30/2001 8:37 PM (#13187)
Subject: Re-using suckers.


Depends on how lively they are.. Sometimes a good blood trail works wonders. [;)]

Posted 10/1/2001 10:04 PM (#13188)
Subject: Re-using suckers.


Todd,

I have been on the water too may times and run out of suckers. That is a huge mind game when the fish are going on suckers and you run out. What is worse is when you make the decision to pull the boat and go looking for some. With my luck, ALL bait shops are out of them when I make that decision. I generally never take less than six and most often take a dozen. I would much rather try and keep the suckers that I don't use alive than to be on the lake without suckers in the Fall. Good suckers can be hard to come by. If I run into a place that has good ones, I will generally load up. I usually don't start using suckers until Oct/Nov when the temps are cool and it is easier to keep the suckers alive. More times than not, I am throwing some unused suckers that die away. BUT, it is the times when everything lines up and the fish are going hog wild that the extra money is well worth it.


Posted 10/28/2001 6:12 PM (#13184)
Subject: Re-using suckers.


Hey Todd,
I like to reuse my suckers if I can because I have a hard time getting the primo ones, and go nuts everytime a musky is around. If they already have a few holes in them from gettin chomped or being rigged already I will put them in the livewell with some stuff called "please release me". I got it from bass pro shops. It really helps to revive them and get them ready for action again. Otherwise, go to the pet store and get some additive for the water that helps out the slime coat. That will probably help out also.
My question is what do you guys feed your suckers when not fishing, to keep them healthy?
Kly

Posted 11/13/2001 8:06 AM (#13185)
Subject: Re-using suckers.


Todd,

I've had suckers that were hit 3 and 4 times get eaten. One time, I was down to my last sucker, it got hit twice, the second time severely mauled, intestines hanging out, the whole ball of wax.

It wouldn't float upright so I clamped a heavy splitshot to one fin to balance it and continued drifting the poor thing. Sure enough, a 36" muskie took it.

Steve @ G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods. http://www.herefishyfishy.com

Posted 12/10/2001 7:33 AM (#13186)
Subject: Re-using suckers.


Todd, injured suckers have been a secret of a buddy of mine and I for a few years. This fall especially, I documented many slow days with only one sucker getting hit, missing the fish, and that particular, beat up, bloodied sucker getting eaten later in the day. This happens too many times to be simple coincidence, so yes, by all means, leave those battered pieces of meat on line!!!