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If you could only bring one lure......??

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Gander Mountain - Fishing Gear

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wildbilldanger

Guest Paddler

07/29/2011 08:06PM

If you could only bring one fishing lure into the BWCAW and had to use only that lure, the entire trip, what would it be and why?

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KevinL

07/29/2011 08:37PM

Mine would have to be a SR7 Rapala in blue, orange, and chrome. Its what I have always had the best luck on. Have caught smaillies, walleyes, and northern on them.

KevinL

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WhiteWolf

07/29/2011 08:39PM

1/4oz yellow jig with 3" kalins motor oil.
catches fish in a bath tub.

"What good fortune for governments that the people do not think." — Adolf Hitler

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kanoes

07/29/2011 08:53PM

sr7, black/silver. it works and rarely snags.

i think bigfoot is blurry. (mitch hedberg)

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Basspro69

07/29/2011 09:29PM

1/16 Ounce berkley micro tube jig lime sparkle with betts jig head.When you absolutely positively have to catch a fish this will get it done. has caught brown rainbow brook splake and lake trout. Smallmouth walleye northerns, crappies bluegill whitefish catfish rockbass perch and many more on this one lure.p.s. They dont make it anymore and if you live in Minnesota and you can still find them at the bait store its only because I havent been to that baitstore yet.

" I want to know Gods thoughts , The rest are details " Albert Einstein.

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Savage Voyageur

07/29/2011 09:41PM

My one lure would be a #2 mepps spinner. That one lure has caught me 100 smallmouth a day on two trips. I have to bend the barbs flat because the action is so hot.

"So many lakes, so little time."

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Frenchy19

07/29/2011 10:45PM

Rap Deep Tail Dancer, Purpledescent 07.

"He hits from both sides of the plate. He’s amphibious." Yogi Berra

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missmolly

07/30/2011 07:49AM

A surface rapala is more fun, but I'd go with a number 5 Mepps with the undressed treble and the plain, brass blade. It can be cast a long ways and catches a lot of fish. I cut the hooks off of them and apply a barbless treble with an O-ring. You'll catch more fish, since unhooking is so easy, and you don't have to set the hook, since they slide right into the fish.

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wildernessfan2

07/30/2011 07:54AM

Mepps #2 Copper would be my choice for a all around catching anything lure.

Freshwater is delicious! Saltwater not so much..

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bassnut

07/30/2011 08:16AM

1/8th round jig head, 3in. twister grub...color doesn't matter, whitw, black, watermelon, plaid...

"Blessed are the cracked because they let in light."

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egknuti

07/30/2011 08:58AM

Only one? Well, it would have to be the Rapala Rattlin Rap. The lures catches everything.

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missmolly

07/30/2011 09:08AM

quote egknuti: "Only one? Well, it would have to be the Rapala Rattlin Rap. The lures catches everything. "

I have caught one fish with that lure. Yep, one. I haven't used it much, but I don't have much faith in it.

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missmolly

07/30/2011 09:09AM

quote bassnut: "1/8th round jig head, 3in. twister grub...color doesn't matter, whitw, black, watermelon, plaid..."

That's another lure I don't know how to use and I should, since it's so basic and cheap.

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Basspro69

07/30/2011 09:49AM

quote missmolly: "quote egknuti: "Only one? Well, it would have to be the Rapala Rattlin Rap. The lures catches everything. "

I have caught one fish with that lure. Yep, one. I haven't used it much, but I don't have much faith in it." You get on a reef when the fish are active and its absolutely deadly, was responsible for most of the walleyes I caught in june, and its deadly on lakers also.p.s. And smallies and Pike.

" I want to know Gods thoughts , The rest are details " Albert Einstein.

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wcummin1

07/30/2011 01:42PM

These threads come up around once a month, but my answer never changes...

Lindy Rig...either with a crawler or leech, depending on the season.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep - Robert Frost

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TomT

07/30/2011 04:13PM

A dark colored willow leaf blade safety pin spinner. Probably 1/2 ounce size.

This lure is versatile. You can buzz it along the surface, let it sink to desired depth and do a straight retrieve, or even let it sink to the bottom and "roll jig it" by dring it up a few feet and letting it swim back down.

It's also got a single hook that I would put a pork strip on for extra attractability. Yep, Jimmy Houston was no dummy. The guy made millions fishing this one lure. I think his is called "Strike King".

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analyzer

07/30/2011 05:01PM

quote kanoes: "sr7, black/silver. it works and rarely snags."

+1

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Richwon4

07/30/2011 11:55PM

A heavy inline spinner, dark in color, silver blade. You can work it deep or shallow with a swift retrieve.

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bassnut

07/31/2011 08:18AM

Strike King is the name of a lure company. Spinnerbaits may be "the" most versatile lure. From the surface to 25-30ft. deep, 1/8oz. to 2oz., fast/slow, different shape blades, skirt colors, and really strong hook(s). AND, spinnerbaits CAN DO dishes!!!!! (haha)

"Blessed are the cracked because they let in light."

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Basspro69

07/31/2011 11:03AM

quote bassnut: "Strike King is the name of a lure company. Spinnerbaits may be "the" most versatile lure. From the surface to 25-30ft. deep, 1/8oz. to 2oz., fast/slow, different shape blades, skirt colors, and really strong hook(s). AND, spinnerbaits CAN DO dishes!!!!! (haha)" LOL

" I want to know Gods thoughts , The rest are details " Albert Einstein.

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jb in the wild

07/31/2011 12:06PM

slimers slimers
catches fish and
Does laundry too.

JB

You can't explain the obvious to the ignorant.

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Jeriatric

07/31/2011 04:00PM

I always had a red and white Dardevle in my tackle box during my trips to the BW but I don't believe I have ever thrown one while there....a case of having too many lures.
I have made trips to NW Canada the last couple of years with the result that the r&w Dardevle became my most successful "generalized" lure. It worked on pike, rainbow trout, arctic char, and kokanee. It probably would have worked on some other species too but the specialized lures targeting certain species (such as silver and orange Pixie Spoon for Dolly Varden, where salmon are spawning) worked so well that I never had to try the Dardevle.
Since I have now developed faith in the Dardevle, I think I would go with it in the BW, especially since my success with Mepps spinners has fallen off in recent times. I do think that you have to believe that you will catch fish in order to be consistently successful.

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QueticoMike

08/01/2011 09:51AM

If I could only take one lure to Quetico or the Boundary Waters and since I don’t prefer to jig twister tails for various reasons, it would be the classic Original Floating Rapala, size 11, black and silver, 4-3/8” lure. This lure will catch all four of the grand slam species, walleye, northern pike, lake trout and smallmouth. It can be retrieved in a steady fashion, trolled to all kinds of depths depending on the amount of weight added to the line, twitched on the surface, or brought back in using a stop and go retrieve. I think I would add a titanium leader to the front of the lure just to be on the safe side; it is my only lure.

The steady retrieve will catch all four different types of fish depending on the season. You have a better chance of catching a lake trout on a steady retrieve in the early spring phase. Walleyes can be caught around current or weed beds during the spring using a straight retrieve. Smallmouth and pike can be caught during all open water seasons using this method.

Trolling this lure can produce all four species during each of the open water fishing seasons. Walleye and trout can be found shallow in the spring and deeper in the summer. By adding weight to your line you can reach the depths where these fish are typically feeding during the summer months.

Twitching this lure on top of the water can bring smallmouth and northern pike crashing through the surface for this balsa bait. The stop and go retrieve will also bring a reaction type of hit from the smallmouth and northern pike. When asked about what single lure to use for a specific type of species, my answers change to four different lures, none of them being the classic Rapala floating type bait.

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WBDanger

08/01/2011 10:14AM

All these answers are very insightful and I'm learning a lot about fishing the BW; Quetico Mike - I'd like to hear about your specific one lure for each species?

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Sierra1

08/01/2011 12:21PM

I'm a big fan of the Jointed Shad Rap size 5 or 7 in the Firetiger pattern. I would go with the deep runner (6 - 11 ft). I have caught Smallies, Walleyes and Northerns all in one evening using it by bouncing it off the bottom in shallow water and off the rock piles in the deeper areas. It's a great all around lure...

Watch out for that rock!!!........ Oooo.... That's going to leave a mark...

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buz

08/03/2011 09:32AM

Another big grub/twister tail guy here, 5" size, straight hook threaded thru body, hook point right at base where tail begins. Color, probably not too important, who knows, but my go to is a smoke/beige sparkle job, Kalin made.

I think the bigger grubs keep the small fish away, but sometimes the tails can get bitten off by the little guys.

I am another guy who has bought rattle traps, and other lures like that, (not too many thank goodness) and the only thing they seemed to hook is the cash from my wallet that procured them.

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minnesotashooter

08/03/2011 09:40AM

The one lure that is now my "go to" has to be a Zoom Super Fluke. I am fishing it weedless and weightless in shallow water and then using a weighted hook for deeper water. These have been unbelievable this year for me. Bass, walleye, northerns, it really doesn't matter.

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northallen

08/03/2011 09:49AM

Black 1/8 ounce jig with a 3" TriggerX "Walleye" flavored minnow body.

One more cast...

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cheesewiz

08/03/2011 10:17AM

quote wcummin1: "These threads come up around once a month, but my answer never changes...

Lindy Rig...either with a crawler or leech, depending on the season."

+1

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal labotomy!

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MagicStik

08/03/2011 10:29AM

quote egknuti: "Only one? Well, it would have to be the Rapala Rattlin Rap. The lures catches everything. "

+2

When it comes to versitility there is no better bait...imo. They bounce off the rocks/wood that regular rapalas hang up on. Reflecting off rocks/wood usually triggers a strike. You can also fish them in weeds and rip the lure clean...again triggering strikes (braided line helps). They are a good bait for rivers/current and lakes. Walleyes, Pike, Smallies, and Largies love them. Have also caught Lakers, Crappies, and other various Panfish on them. Haven't used them on brookies but I bet they would work.

MagicStik

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fitgers1

08/03/2011 11:20AM

Shad Rap - perch colors

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson...and...“Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".

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bumabu

08/03/2011 12:16PM

Perch colored, non jointed floating rapala, 5 inch.

Who I am precedes what I do, not the other way around.

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bestdamnangler

08/03/2011 06:08PM

I am heading into the BW soon and this being only the second time fishing in the area, this is very helpful!
When I went a couple years ago in May and I only caught 2 fish and they were on East Bearskin on inline spinners with minnows- a 23" Lake trout and a 39" northern!

"If at first you don't succeed, fishing is a better choice than skydiving"

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mc2mens

08/03/2011 07:10PM

Shad Rap and Husky Jerk...perch colors

"Big fish eat little fish."

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QueticoMike

08/04/2011 10:32AM

quote WBDanger: "All these answers are very insightful and I'm learning a lot about fishing the BW; Quetico Mike - I'd like to hear about your specific one lure for each species?"

I wrote an article on grand slam lures, if you want to read it send an email to queticomike@yahoo.com and title it grand slam lures.

For smallmouth my favorite lure is the Strike King Zulu

For big northerns on top water I like the bullfrog Lucky 13 ( catches big smallies too )....red and white spoons or big bucktail spinners for below the surface are a close second

For walleye I like to troll the Rapala J9 (jointed) gold lure

For Lakers I like to troll the hammered silver Dr. Spoon

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toddhunter

08/04/2011 01:27PM

I'm trying to bring everyone's favorite lure, but I'm gonna need a bigger boat. when I return in a week and a half, I'll let you know what my favorite is. Thanks!

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wawasee

08/05/2011 07:45AM

1/8 ounce Chartreuse Blakemore Roadrunner with a 3" White Power Grub. I have caught Walleye, Smallmouth, Northern and Crappie on this setup.

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Basspro69

08/05/2011 07:22PM

quote wawasee: "1/8 ounce Chartreuse Blakemore Roadrunner with a 3" White Power Grub. I have caught Walleye, Smallmouth, Northern and Crappie on this setup." Outside the bwca I use a road runner as much if not more than any other lure .

" I want to know Gods thoughts , The rest are details " Albert Einstein.

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Wild Bill Danger

Guest Paddler

08/05/2011 09:12PM

The rapala suggestions seemed to be in the majority. I've also learned with rapalas in the BWCAW to remove the first treble hook from the front of the jig and just fish with the tail treble hook, or the middle and tail treble hooks if it's a 3-hook rapala. This helps the lure bounce of rocks and other debris and not get hung up so much, still hooking the fish.

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ogrezane

08/05/2011 11:11PM

"the magic lure" from the Beaver House in Grand Marais. snag free, it's great!

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miggle

08/11/2011 10:48PM

JIG

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Moonman

08/12/2011 10:08AM

#11 floating Rapala - perch.

Moonman.

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Wabler

08/15/2011 01:02PM

I only fish pike so...

Williams Wabler (gold).

I had a friend you for years always complained about how large both my brother's & my tackle box are. (I admit it looks a bit crazy for anyone that isn't a fishing nut). Even though I have a lure for any possible situation I can think of, the wabler gets about 60% + of the water time during my trips.

His last trip, my buddy only showed up with a tiny box with about 5 Williams Wablers in it.... he won big fish of the trip that year with a 42'.

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toddhunter

08/15/2011 03:35PM

Just back. The problem with one lure is you snag and get bit off. I would probably bring lots of 4 inch Senko type soft plastic stick baits. Although we caught good fish on 3 and 4 inch jig/twist tail (pumpkin-pepper) with a steady retrieve, I got more bites on the soft stick baits (black w/ blue flakes). I also lost a bunch. When possible, a wacky rig is good, but rigged texas (or texsposed) it is weedless. No weight. These are best for smallies, but northern also eat em.

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egknuti

08/19/2011 10:24AM

I've decided to change my lure to the Clackin Rap by Rapala. This lure yielded me over 20 northerns all over 4lbs during a recent trip on the Isabella River and many, many walleyes on another trip. Great lure.

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egknuti

08/19/2011 10:24AM

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missmolly

08/19/2011 11:30AM

quote toddhunter: "Just back. The problem with one lure is you snag and get bit off. I would probably bring lots of 4 inch Senko type soft plastic stick baits. Although we caught good fish on 3 and 4 inch jig/twist tail (pumpkin-pepper) with a steady retrieve, I got more bites on the soft stick baits (black w/ blue flakes). I also lost a bunch. When possible, a wacky rig is good, but rigged texas (or texsposed) it is weedless. No weight. These are best for smallies, but northern also eat em. "

No lie, Todd, I have never caught a fish by retrieving a jig with a twist tail. I've tried and I average about 100 fish per day in western Ontario with other lures, but never that lure. Same with the Rattlin' Rap. Zero. Not one.

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toddhunter

02/22/2012 05:21PM

quote missmolly: "quote toddhunter: "Just back. The problem with one lure is you snag and get bit off. I would probably bring lots of 4 inch Senko type soft plastic stick baits. Although we caught good fish on 3 and 4 inch jig/twist tail (pumpkin-pepper) with a steady retrieve, I got more bites on the soft stick baits (black w/ blue flakes). I also lost a bunch. When possible, a wacky rig is good, but rigged texas (or texsposed) it is weedless. No weight. These are best for smallies, but northern also eat em. "

No lie, Todd, I have never caught a fish by retrieving a jig with a twist tail. I've tried and I average about 100 fish per day in western Ontario with other lures, but never that lure. Same with the Rattlin' Rap. Zero. Not one."
Well good golly (sorry, I always think that when I see your name),
I'd like to hear about those "other lures." I don't normally just cast and retrieve, but while soloing in a kayak, i didn't have much time to jig, snag, retrieve, but the fish didn't seem to mind, and when I recommended it to my mates, they caught fish too. Go figure. I think location and time of year are more important than what you use anyway. Find the fish (esp in the BW) and they should bite something--or anything. As for lipless cranks, they are great over the weeds in most lakes. Some like them as the first lure after ice out, when weeds are sparse. I also like to just shake them along the bottom near dropoffs. Pretty versatile, but they seem less effective for me as time goes by. Will try them this year in the BW though.

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rmessner

02/25/2012 08:06PM

Give me a plain hook, a slip bobber, and a pound of leaches, and I'll never starve.

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Bdubguy

02/25/2012 08:17PM

quote Moonman: "#11 floating Rapala - perch.

Moonman."

+1, or maybe firetiger, silver or blue. Definitely #11...

Keep your line wet....

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Drab

02/27/2012 08:17PM

I would bring this.

I make no claim that I catch more fish with a Lucky 13. But I do claim that I enjoy catching them with a Lucky 13.

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griswold

02/27/2012 09:00PM

Berkley 4 1/2" jerk shad!

Generally speaking, a howling wilderness does not howl: it is the imagination of the traveler that does the howling.~Thoreau

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arctic

02/28/2012 07:05AM

A 3/8 ounce twister tail jig in Chartreuse. I can catch any BWCA game fish on it.

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Spookmeister

02/28/2012 07:01PM

@Drab...How aggressive do you fish the Lucky 13? Any different than standard Pop-R retrieves?

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GopherPride

02/28/2012 08:46PM

quote fitgers1: "Shad Rap - perch colors"

+1

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Hank

03/05/2012 07:44AM

Small silver spoon and some weight.

If I'm not fishing for lakers, then hook, splitshot and leech.

A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. -Robert A. Heinlein

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QueticoMike

03/05/2012 10:12AM

quote Drab: "I would bring this.

I make no claim that I catch more fish with a Lucky 13. But I do claim that I enjoy catching them with a Lucky 13."

Have you ever trolled or straight retrieved a Lucky 13? This lure was actually first designed to be used an underwater retrieve lure. I think it used to be called the wiggle king. You can see why it has that name if you ever reeled one in underwater. So it is not just a top water lure. Also, if I am fishing it topwater I don't work any differently than a POP-R. You do get the best pop out of the lure if you do not use a stretching line such an mono. Use a non stretching line like fire line and that lure will really pop.

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