Effectiveness of large live bait for MN opener?

Going to fish Cass Lake MN for opener this year. While literature typically suggests smaller bait are more effective early in the season, I was wondering if larger baits might have an application? By larger, I mean 3 to 7" chubs and common shiners. I am able to catch these with total ease, and caught two dozen in fact today. I remember reading that chubs were used effectively on Cass for the PWT last year. I am assuming they were lindy rigging, etc with them? Awfully big to put on a jig.

Anyway, I know anytime I see big chubs/common shiners in the bait stores they often charge a buck a piece.

What do you guys think? Big baits in the spring can be hard to come by.

[Muskiefool]

Also Leech the biggest eye for me to date came on a 7-8" chub I have got more fish on the 5-8" Red tails 3/4# fish just inhale them the creek chubs are not as effective for me

Large bait...Last year I spoke with a pro from the crestliner staff that fished on leech and as much as anything it was the length of the snell as much as anything else. 10 feet was what work for them. Size of the bait, yes, but ultimately one of many, many factors.

NB

[Kolby]

Generally, big in the early Spring season is the most logical choice, baitfish species that have managed to survive all year are full-grown by now. New baitfish haven't hatched yet either on most waters. The exceptions would be anytime you get some late summer or fall spawning baitfish, like ciscoes or a surprise bug hatch in the mud. So I would look at your forage base and lake characteristics, then play the percentages.