RedTail Chubs in Fall

[Jigspoon]

Here in Minnesota, everything I read and hear about fall fishing is to use redtail chubs. I am going up north next week and know I won't be able to get them anywhere. This has happened the last 5 years or so. I use whatever large minnows I can get my hands on (suckers,etc.) I do ok but what is the deal with the Redtails?? What kinds of chubs do you guys use???

[KnottyBuoy]

The old timers still refer to the Redtails as river chubs........but they do work.......I found a good supply of them at Tutts bait on the north end of Mille Lacs about 2 years ago .....Just outside of Garrison......and they were $7.50 a dozen.....can't imagine what they would cost today.....I was up in the New York Mills area last weekend and all minnows were in short supply.......fat heads were about it and they were small...

[FJH1]

The Red Tail Chub - the Filet Mignon of walleye minnows. In my opinion they're worth the extra cost. They can be tough to find though.

Best Regards,

FJH

[legend]

Hard to believe you cannot get redtails in Minnesota. They are good because they are tough and lively. They are very good for large walleyes and smallmouths. I would bring a large cooler with you and stop at every bait store in the way. Keep them cool, aerated if possible and they will survive the trip. Will outperform most baits. Good luck.
Regards.

[aurora]

i agree with everyone, if you can find them in the fall in minnesota get'em . if you're going to use them with a jig make sure the hook is sharp they seem to have and extremely thick skull.

[TBO/MN]

Vados bait in Spring Lake Park has them.

Good Fishin'
TBO/MN

[CraigM]

Last weekend in the Brainard area big fat heads worked , red tails (at $8.50 per doz) and both golden and reg shiners did not ,

[EAGLE EYES]

Redtail chubs are very hard to find right now in Minn. because of the low feeder creek levels where they normally dwell. drought like conditions just about everywhere in Minn. have driven rivers and ponds to there limits. These conditions make it very hard, next to impossible for bait stores to supply everyone with Redtails. Redtail chubs are not always the preffered species in every lake. Forinstance, I fish a lake in the Fall where silver Shiners will out produce Redtails everytime. So although Redtails are great on alot of water, Don't cross off other species from your list because of all the hype that's given to Redtail chubs.

[Backwater Eddy]

Red Tails are great river rigers on 3-ways or heavy duty jigs , for sure........BUT!

No live bait can enter Canada, that's the snag!

You can freeze them and they are ok, but no live bait through the gate, bummer!

It happens but if your checked, you will louse the bait and maybe up for stiffer penalties.

Many people do get bait prior to crossing but you need to weigh out the risk!

BE....................><, ,>

[Backwater Eddy]

OK-My mistake! I thought you mentioned Pine Falls tip, that is why I brought up the bait crossing issue, ok?

I just retuned from the Fall's and the Red at Selkirk, have not caught up on mysleep yet, so I am a bit spongy in the brain box yet!

:)

BE..........><,,>