I read so much on here about how well leaches and cisco's work...well my buddy and i are heading up there for a week starting the 31. We do plan on using leaches because they are much more hardy than minnows...bbuuuttt...Some people make it seem like artificial lures don't produce squat and now i am afraid of running out of leaches? HOW DOES EVERYONE ELSE FEEL ABOUT ARTIFICIAL VS. LIVE? AND HAS ANYONE EVER ONLY USED ARTIFICIAL THIS TIME OF YEAR? I thank all of you ahead of time!!!

Artificial works but minnows are the ticket this time of year. they are worth the hassle. When I go usually have a base camp bring an extra bait bucket and sink the minnows you don't need that day.

a great but spendy backup would be to take along some bags of GULP leeches and GULP minnows. they do work.

sasada,

I just spent five days up there and caught only one fish on an artificial lure--an 18" walleye on a Rapala DT-6. All the other fish (maybe 50 or 60 total) were on a jig and rainbow chub or cisco. And unless you're moving every day, I've never had a problem keeping minnows alive. Even the dead ones will catch stuff. Just make sure you can lock the door on your bait bucket so an otter or whatever can't get into it. As for leeches, I've never had as much luck with them as rainbow chubs. Stop in and talk with TGO and he will give you numerous valuable tips. While I have caught several fish each spring on artificials, my success with live bait each spring leads me to reduce the number of artificial lures I bring in and I'm thinking next spring I just may leave all of them at home to reduce the size and weight of my tackle box. Some people on this board will tell you that live bait is a hassle, but when it out-produces artificials like this, I'd say it's not much of a hassle. thlipsis29

I have bought a package of "gulp" worms that look exactly like earthworms and am considering buying some gulp minnows and leeches but WOW you are right...they are spendy!

Memorial weekend two years in a row and several july and august trips under my belt an I have never taken live bait in, other than some leeches one year. My son and I have never had any trouble at all catching fish. Keep in mind we are targeting smallies and pike so if your after walleyes, artificial is not the best way to go. I certainly would never consider artificials a waste of time. good luck

I'd agree that live bait will normally out-produce artificials. After all, artificials are meant to imitate live bait. But with some of the GULP products the line is blurred. We've had particularly good results with the 3 inch leeches. I have not heavily fished the other GULP products. There are times when artificials are your best option - top water action for example. Definitely not a waste of time or space IMHO. I'd bring both and cover your bases.

We go to Quetico....fish with nothing but artificials and catch tons of fish....No stinking buckets, no worm bedding, no hassles on the portages. I don't think it's so much what you fish with, it's getting it where the fish are.

Up till about 3 posts ago it sounded like live bait is the only way.....now, not so much? Still not sure. Just gonna be 2 of us and will be taking at least 6 dozen...combination of minnows and leaches. On the flip side, we both love to throw fakes for bass and northen. However, I have been walleye fishing a fair amount this spring and only used a jig and twister tail and have done pretty good. So my next question is......Will 6 dozen be enough for a week of hard fishing if we do plan on spending 60% of our time throwing lures for smallies and pike??? "JohnTaylor", or anyone for that matter...what is your fav lures for smallies and pike??? THANKS!!!

I consider myself a mediocre fisherman, but I do know this, live bait and artificials both work. There is no "only way." So take some of each, experiment and have fun.

In my opinion, the where and when of fishing matters a whole lot more than what is tied on the end of your line. Being on the right lake, on the right structure, at the right depth and being there at the right season and right time of day has more influence on fishing success than whether you are using live or artificial bait. The old saying that 90% of the fish are in 10% of the water might be a bit of an exaggeration, but there is a lot of truth in it. If you're fishing in the wrong 90%, well you could tie on a Rapala Holy Grail and still not catch anything.

I'm not saying that bait and presentation are not important... you just gotta find the fish first. Sorry to be preaching to the choir, just wanted to keep things in perspective.

GULP is my new best friend.

I think I'm being set up or baited (no pun intended) with this post.

There is no organic bait allowed in the Quetico, so the choice is simple.

However, if you want to catch fish anywhere, use live bait with jigs or plain hooks.

If you want to exercise and not catch many/any fish, use artificial.

Crank baits in the spring, give me a break!!!!!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!

biggest smallie for me ever...3 years ago. on a black/silver shadrap . granite river. she was 22". take THAT!
:)

TGO,----- I want to say first of all I have a TON of respect for you and your posts. I agree with 99% of them. But to say using artificial baits is a good way to not catch many/any fish is just simply not true. No doubt a live presentation in the right spot is USUALLY (esp. for a novice fisherman) going to out-fish an artificial, but the benefits of fishing a topwater plug, a tubebait, or a crank bait when trying to find the fish, find mid-lake structure, or target spawning fish is undeniable. I am kind of surprised a fishing guide would suggest otherwise. Is that really what you meant to say? I would hate to deny someone the heart stopping thrill of the explosion that comes when a northern or big smallie absolutely clobbers a topwater bait because they think they re just exercising. Sasada,---- I love any lipless topwater (baby torpedo, pop-r, etc.) but my favorite is a smithwick devil's horse. I will also try to target the bigger nesting females (always release) by throwing a 3.5" tube or a senko. Feel free to e-mail me if you want my number and I will gladly tell you all i know. (That should make for a short phone call.)

I am a trolling fisherman. I get bored and am too fat to sit in one spot. That is why i dont mess with live bait for just me. if the hassle is worth it for you then do it, it's not going to hurt. I have a hunch though, it is only a hassle for those that don't use it, like me. My brother on the other hand enjoys the paternal challenge of keeping his bait alive, they are like his children in the woods. Whatever you do, have fun, you're gonna catch fish either way, no matter what anyone tells you, if you look in the right spots at the right times. Research your lakes in advance, topo maps and the sun (or lack of it) are the real fish catchers.

Novicely Spoken,
Bud

There is no right or wrong way in my opinion. Fish the way you feel comfotable with and have the most confidence with. I use a lot of live bait and they catch fish. I have started to fish more artificials the last few years and they catch fish. Dead bait will catch fish. If you can figure out the pattern most anything will catch fish. I leave next week and will be taking in 4 -5 pounds of leeches for 10 days along with frozen smelt or cicoes. And an assortment of Rapalas. Do whatever you are comfortable with. Good Luck. Izzy

kanoes,

Many smallies (rough fish) 20+ inches taken each summer on plain hook tipped with a leech or minnow!!

Sooooo, back at ya!! :)

johntaylor,

Many people enjoy casing or trolling crank baits, which is their choice.

Artificial lures are very popular because of heavy advertising, but will not outfish live bait on a jig, plain hook, or trolled with a plain hook and single spinner.

At sport shows, the speakers talk about many methods of fishing with artificials.

They never mention the plain hook with live bait.

Think about that!

TGO? love ya man....
:)

Sasada,
I just repacked my tackle box. Most of the plastic will not be making this next trip. Instead I will be packing, slip bobbers, small jigs, spinner rigs, bare hooks, prepackaged dead minnows, and plan on buying a pound on leeches when I get to Ely. I got a feeling this will be a productive trip.

For me, and please keep in mind this is for me,
Fishing with live bait is the act of fishing
Fishing with lures is the art of fishing

Casting a topwater right where I wanted, working a tube along a rocky bottom and feeling the strike, running a weedless frog across twenty feet of lilly pads and watching a monster explode on it, all thrills I don't get watching a bobber. I will not argue that to catch the most fish, live bait produces. But to me it is kinda like the difference between shooting a cow in the field or hunting a deer. Your chances of going home with meat are better "hunting" the cow but where is the sport?

By the way, I am an avid crappie and bluegill fisherman using minnows and crickets when not in the BW. (Headed to reelfoot lake tennessee next week)I just think you were doing sasada a disservice by telling him he was "just exercising" bringing artificial lures with him.

some results of my exercise

"Crank baits in the spring, give me a break!!!!!"

TGO, maybe you're missing out on something.

According to my log so far this spring:
13 hours of fishing
72 walleyes
Average length: 18.67"
Every one of them on a F-13 Rapala.

To each his own.

For years my arsenal consisted of hooks,split shot.bobber with an unweighted crawler or live minnows on a bobber. As a teenager, I began to fish artificials; but only a few. Origional rapala,jitterbug,lazy ike,mepps and red roostertails were all I knew. I gained confidence in these,but I'm a lazy angler sometimes, and a deadline crawler is still my favorite when the chips are down. That's just me. Live leeches are relatively new to me, but goona try some this year after reading many posts. ;) oth

they work real well for walleye smallmouth and northern. never tried using live baitup there but we do real well wih artificials like rapalas.
a stringer of walleyes with artificials. (sorry about bad picture)

I just got back from the BEAUTIFUL BWCA yesterday and had absolutely perfect weather. Fishing was great and we brought in leeches, gulp minnows (alive and packaged), and tons of crankbaits. We only boated two walleyes the entire trip plus two that would have made it in the canoe with a net but were unwillingly hand realeased. As for the Gulp; I wouldn't waste your time and money with the Alive brand. We tried leeches and gulp and didn't have any success. Kicking ourselves for not bringing in minnows (worth any hassle). Crankbaits landed tons of northerns, smallies, and a dozen lakers.
Walleyes: Minnows
Northerns: Shallow running crankbaits
Smallies: Shallow running cranks
Lakers: Deep shiny cranks
IMO!!!!!!

MrWalleye! Your answer is exactly what i was looking for! Someone who just got back, knows what's biting, knows what they are biting on, and what they would have done different. Of course i am going to bring my confidence boosters (pretty much only two things, my Chugbug, and jig w/twister tail) but now i know what additional tackle i need as well as what to bring to catch walleye's. Obviously things change and lakes are different but at least i know what worked for you. Thanks!!!

My best luck with an artificial lure has been with a #3 or #4 red and white mepps with the bucktail. Northerns, small/largemouth, and walleye.

JohnTaylor I'm with you 100%. I love the SPORT of fishing. It's a challenge that I like - how to fool a fish with an artificial lure.

It could be the people who don't catch fish on artificials is they just don't put them where the fish are or have the wrong presentation. You don't use 20 Lb. test with a heavy snap on wire leader in a clear lake.

If a person knows what the fish feed on and where the likely places are that hold fish and uses nothing but crankbaits, spinners, and jigs he/she will be successful ANY time of the open water season.

I'll usually only fish live bait when I want to kick back with a drink from shore or don't feel like casting from a hard day. That way can be fun too.

TomT,

Artificials, crank baits, etc, etc.

Please seek the help you so seriously need because you are one sick dude!! :)

:)

I challenge you to a fish off. One day, one lake, winner take all.

I have a sneaking suspicion we are getting our chains yanked by TGO.. I am pulling mine in. It's been fun though! P.S. I meant every word I said! :)

He's serious but it's in good fun.

I say we go to a neutral lake that neither of us has fished on and using a topo map, depth finder and canoe have at it for 8 hours.

See here's the thing though. I think TGO is mainly after walleye. I like to catch bass and the occasional monster northern just as well. I usually target walleye only when I'm looking for a meal.

So our Great Fish Off would have to include other species somehow.

I've been fishing tournaments here in Okla. for 20yrs, wouldn't know how to use live bait. I have learned something very important(to me) about fishing your northern waters: When I am jig fishing(favorite method, catches everything) I pay close attention to the brand of twister tail. Some brands get stiff in your cooler waters of spring and fall, and they don't move as good. My rule of thumb: water under 50degrees, use hair or feather jigs, save the plastic for warmer water. Kain's grubs have supple tails, but really hair under 50.

This may sound like a dumb question but do you hook gulp minnows like you would a live one?

What has anyone found to be the best way?

Thanks

I have had great success at times with gulp minnows on home waters I would guess they would work in the bwca as well. The first rig would use is a three inch minnow on a jig just like a grub body. This works for walleye in deep water and small mouth shallower. Vary the weight of the jig when you want to fish deeper or shallower.

The next method that works great in the evening for small mouth and may be paired with someone fishing a top water bait is to use a typical walleye live bait hook and hook the minnow through the nose. I have had better luck using the 4 inch this way. Cast it out and twitch and pause it like a jerk bait. This can also be done on outside weed edges by adding a split shot a foot in front of the minnow so it will work deeper.

For both methods make sure you use a big enough hook gap. Too small a gap will make it hard to get good hookup and you will miss strikes.

There are many other ways to fish these baits including drop shotting, under a slip bobber, and on spinner rigs. The biggest thing to remember is these are not live bait and you need to put the action in the bait to get the most success

Have fun trying them.

Rodney

Jig and gulp GRUBS, two inches, claims it "out fishes live bait" and I'd have to agree i prefer chartreuse, also short shank jigs with bait holders are killers especially with plastics.

I'm a little late on this post by here my 2 cents...

80% of my fishing is with artificials. I only use live bait when fishing walleyes.

The reason for me is simple. It's the hassle factor. Who wants to screw with live bait...buying it, keeping it alive, re-baiting every 10 minutes...

You can cover more water and catch plenty of fish with artificial lures. But when fishing for walleyes (dinner) in the bwca it's worth putting up with the hassle of live bait. For northern's & smallies I always use artifical lures. Once you find the walleyes often a power-grub or other "sented" artifical can do as well as a minnow/leach because it dosn't come off your hook as easly and you can fish it faster.

I have a pretty good friend that fished the PWT (walleye tour) for years. He won a couple events and placed high at several others, I know he got first or second on Lake of the Woods a couple years back. He told me that some times artificials work just as good and sometimes they don't. He said you need to be open to whatever works. He did give me about 10-15 bags of gulp and said bring some crawlers or leeches in and you should be set. That is what I usually do. That way if I kill the live bait, I have a backup. Now since I am going to Quetico in less than a month, I don't have to worry about live bait.

I fish Sabaskong bay on Lake of the Woods every May (Very much like BW for Structure). Typically we use spinners tipped with minnows there and do really well on the walleyes. We have tried leeches and gulp, but I would have to say, minnows typically work the best. That being said, this year we easily caught more walleyes casting gold and silver husky jerks into about 3-4 feet of water and slowly jerking them back. They would hit on the pause. It was a lot of fun.

I guess I like to have multiple options and have no problems using artificial bait.

Cannot deny that live bait works and it works well. I just dont use it that much anymore(worms for stream trout). Bring your spinners, rapalas,and gulp they are your friend. Ya and also the ciscos for shore fishing no hassle at all. Cowbells trailed by a blue rapala are sick for LT. Gulp minnow grubs in chartreuse jigged work very well for eyes. And also Chartreuse and perch scale countdowns. Never hurts to have the live bait. If its a vs, I would take the artifitial.

Holy crap. What a bunch of opinionated people. So I will add my opinion too. Just for the record our group fished only artificial last year and caught many walleye and smallmouth + some northerns we weren't trying for. I don't know if fishing the same place with live bait would have caught more or not, but I do know we were very satisfied with how many, and what size fish we caught. I think with artificials there may be a learning curve as far as what speed to retrieve and other things you do to add action to the lure.

we are humans....did you expect anything LESS than opinions? :) looks to me like you just gave yours. haha

If only someplace could stock walleyes for bait...

I think it would be a real hassle trying to keep minnows alive when portaging. Leeches wouldn't be a problem. They can handle a lot of abuse, and be kept in a smaller container. And I know walleye love em. If I was going to bring in live bait that is what I would bring.

Another Opinion I have: northerns and smallies bite on anything, any time of the year. Walleyes bite better on live bait when fishing is tough due to whatever condition that may make them less apt to bite, when they are active and aggressive artificial lures can be better because you can cover a wider area much faster than live bait. Pitching jigs into rocks can produce a lot of walleyes but you will also get snagged a lot; using the right depth crankbait you can keep out of the rocks and in the strike zone for a longer period of time. Good topics like this bring out a lot of opinions in every fisherman, keep em coming!

Interesting perspective Mr. Walleye, and I completely agree. If you are comparing live bait to artificials in a tank, there is no comparison, live bait will win ever time. Great comment on coverage and conditions. As we all know, that is what it is all about, adjusting to the current conditions and getting on the fish. The right answer is probably to use artificials, until you find them.... then switch it up to live bait.

The only good crankbait, is a dead crankbait!!!!!

I have walleye fished every weekend at my cabin since opener and the ticket for me has been gulp 4" grubs and minnows ona 1/4 oz. jig. Only caught 1 on a minnow yet. I will be bringing plenty of those with me this June.

I wonder how many people fish crankbait with too heavy a rod. Maybe missing a lot of fish because they can't feel them. Especially light hitting walleye.

We have never used live bait, yet. But we have never gone hungry either, in fact we usually get sick of eating fish by the end of the trip and we release quite a bit as well. We catch an assortment too, using just about anything, but the walleyes were always on a jighead and twister. Bear in mind, we're novices! Our best fishing is always by rapids and narrows...

live bait? thats cheating!

i havent been to the bwca yet but for smallmouth i always use 1/4 oz jigs (with skirt and plastic trailer), crankbaits, topwaters and small plastics (texas rigged worms, yamamoto senkos, etc). i've tried using live bait but i get bored sitting there. casting and dragging jigs is where the fun is for me.

do smallmouth feed on crayfish in the BWs?

I bet I do 99 percent of my fishing with artificial lures, and I catch a LOT of fish (although I target mostly lake trout). In my humble opinion, the only species where fishing with live bait can improve your success is walleye. Even then, countless walleyes are caught every year on lures.

bigfruits,

"live bait? thats cheating!"

You use crankbaits and topwaters, each with with 6 to 9 hooks, and using live bait with a single hook is cheating!!

Hmmmmmm......, I want you to think about that!!!

Smallmouth eat crayfish like I breathe air.
Half of the ones I catch up there have them sticking out of their throats.

I can catch more fish in one day than I could eat in a week with artificial lures. Maybe I could catch more with live bait, but what's the point?

The Great Outdoors - i actually lose more fish with treble hooks than with single hooks (jigs, soft plastics)

theres a reason why live bait is banned in tournament fishing...
but i was kidding about it being cheating. the point is to have fun. as long as you do that youre good to go.

id consider using kanoes acme lure to be cheating though...

I go in June every year - fish on Ensign. I and some young ones fish with lures and have had enough success to make it fun and to eat fish most nights. I do think I will try Gulp minnows this year also!

Hey all i am back from the BWCA and will post my trip report ASAP. Caught all of our fish on crankbaits and jigs with twisters tipped with preserved minnows.

Artificial works as good as anything, and no mess.

I've taken live bait on 3 or 4 trips and did just as good without it.

I have caught more fish using leaches....mostly walleye, but I have found recently that if you target the walleye and throw the RIGHT artificial, you can catch the just as easily......

Berkley Gulp works great.....also smoke tubes, pumpkinseed tubes, natural jigs, etc, etc....They work nearly as well.

Later,

Geo

If you have done as well with artificial as live bait for walleye, you have got to have some serious issues with your presentation!!!

That scenario will not ever happen!!!

Dang Amateurs, Sheeeesh!!!

BigFruits.......walleye fishing Tournaments still allow live bait and always will

I must admit..........the walleye fishing is slower with artificial, but we normally target smallies, and I've seen no DIFFERENCE with live bait or artificial when fishing for them..........

And I catch my fair share of smallies up there.........

Later,

Geo

Biggest walleye for me? Leach, jigging it along the bottom, drift-trolling with a friend on Strawberry lake (Not in the BW.)

Biggest Northern? Same trip, same method.

... but I've also caught nice fish while trolling with Rat'L'Traps and Rapala's of the same style as the Rat'L'Traps. (Also not in the BW.)

Last year, not much was biting when I was up there, didn't seem to matter what we used. (Leeches and artificial)

My personal opinion, if you're after walleyes you want live bait. Tho they do hit on artificial also, just not as much. Other fish? They don't seem to care as much. If it moves, they hit it if they are hungry!

within the last 10 days, 5 walleyes from 27 1/2 inches to 29 1/2 inches, all caught with a plain hook tipped with a leech.

Will post photos when I can figure out how to do it.

Help, Lynn at VNO!!!!!!!!!

Thems is nice walleye's. Hope they were released.

Both have their place.

I like small 1" tube jigs for crappie. I can easily catch up to 5 fish with my jig for each fish my partner catches with minnows. I can work the jig over more cover and trigger more bites than he can with the minnow.

I also like Rapalla Husky jerks. As I'm paddling around, I troll the rappalla. I have caught many walleye, pike, and smallies while trolling. With just live bait, I would not have caught those fish.

Another good lure is topwater plugs. I've caught lots of fish in the evening working the plug near shore and other structure. The thrill of a top water hit is one of the great joys of fishing.

But, I've also caught nice fish with live bait:
- jigs and leeches under slip bobber have produced lots of smallies
- floating jigs, minnows and lindy sinkers have produced walleye and pike
- floating jigs, leeches and lindy sinkers have produces a lot of walleye.

Why limit yourself to one or the other???

I'm with you Mad Angler. I fish either way. Not an issue with me.

TomT,

Nope, not released.

Caught in Burntside, smelt eat all the eggs and they cannot reproduce.

All walleyes in Burntside are planted, and the DNR must use fingerlings because the smelt eat anything smaller.

TGO - how did the smelt end up in Burntside?

Must be one of those invasive species ...

Many people would go to the North Shore and get a tub of smelt in the 60's.

Cleaning them on docks was a common procedure, and the eggs and sperm ended up in the water.

Most lakes are too warm to support the species, and they died off.

Except for Burntside, which was the perfect storm-cold and deep.

Eagles Nest 1 also has some smelt in it.

Burntside is infested with them, and occasionally will black out your locator when a large school swims through. (just like the battery went dead)

TGO- Just curious, has the introduction of smelt into Burnside had any positive impact on fishing? Are you more likely to catch a trophy gamefish as a result of this forage base? Does anyone net smelt during the the spring spawning run? Do you have zebra mussels in Burnside? They compete with smelt and alewives for plankton and may be partially responsible for recent crashes in the populations of those invasives in Lake Michigan.

The walleye are good size because of the smelt.

I've caught bass up to 22 inches, biggest northern only 37 inches.

The real big ones are hard to catch because of the excessive smelt population and the overall lake depth.

The college kids smelt in the spring, but most are stunted and not that good for human food.

No Zebra Mussel.

First of all, I want to apologize for digging up on an old worn out controversial thread. I'm new to this site and really enjoy these old thread archives. I am both a live and artificial presentation kind of guy. I just like to catch fish and am willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish that goal . The one thing I will say in regards to crank baits vs. live bait, even if live bait is more productive, the aggressive reactionary strike a crankbait evokes is very exciting for me and I will fish crankbaits for that reason alone.

how stunted is stunted?
I have found that the smaller smelt that we catch on superior are the better eating ones. the big ones get frozen for bait.

chadwick,
Stunted is about 3-4 inches long, though some run larger.

I'm an artificial man myself. I know, my wife tells me that too.

Does anyone up there use Joe's Flies? My best are Joe's Favorite on a gold spinner. The bigger the hook the better. Spray some juice on em and I think they do as good as live bait.

thanks tgo.
the best eaters are about 5-6 inches IMHO
very crispy

By the way, I tried your mustard/breaded walleye technique a few days ago. It was awsome. Wont be using eggs much any more.

here is my list, lots of good comments by the way.
shad raps
a couple spoons
4 inch black power worm
1/8, 1/4, slider heads, charlie brewer product
gulp minnows, berkley
1/8, 1/4, round head jigs
couple topwater baits.

i have not taken live bait on any of my quetico, or bw trips.
i have fished artificial most of my fishing life.
leaches and crawlers are great.
i just choose not to carry them.

having the lures is just the beginning.
knowing the fish and recognizing their habitat, how they spend their
time will consistently make you a happy fisherman.
i know this is old standby knowledge, but it is tested true, time after time.

regardless of the lake you are on in canoeland, if you know the species in that lake, you can identify structure, whether it rock, wood, shallow or deep water, wind, which side of lake, ect.

some of these tips are just repetitive knowledge you can apply on each lake to be successful.

wow, this turned into a class, but it is my passion. hope some of this advice, which I have read from others helps.

good old winter, a time to read and learn.

just my preference.

Here is my list of the best 10 artificial lures made.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Oy vey. I just found this thread.

Noooooooo!!!!!! Not again. :)

If you KNOW how to fish with artificials you will do very fine anywhere in the BW. End of story.

If you are unsure with artificials then stick to the real stuff.

Both artificial and live bait can produce fish. I enjoy trolling artificals (jig/twister tail, crank bait, rattle trap, and rapalas). It's a great way to see the lake and cover water...especially if it's your fist time on the lake. I bring about 3-4 dozen leaches and an assortment of artificials on every trip. Leeches are a great bait to cast from shore while your relaxing at camp!

MagicStik

I have found that most people using artificial lures aren't very skilled at cleaning fish, due to the fact they don't get much practice:)

Ford men despise chevy owners...
ecofreaks despise combustion engines...
Tony Stewart fans despise Jeff Gordon...
Liberals despise conservatives...
Militant muslims despise christians...

Rich baitstore owners despise artificial lures??? :)

Rich Bait store owners sell many articicial lures to the unsuspecting public:)

Over Labor Day weekend this year, I was killing walleye on Crooked using only a silver and blue shad Rapala. Don't know which model it was, but it's about 4" long and dives to about 12-16' or so. I found that, once I got the lure deep enough, the slower I retreived the better the action. I fished also leeches but with much less success.

Hmmmmmmpf!

Kids:(

Hey, I'll stick with whatever's working. If its live bait, I'll use live bait; if its cranks, I'll fish those. If it ain't broke, right?

I'm admittedly a pretty amateur fisherman, but the title of the thread asked if artificial lures were a waste of time. I know they're not because of the success I've had with them. Nothing I caught was above 24" but I ate walleye for lunch and dinner every day I was up in the BW.

Just one????

I rest my case:)