[ShellieP]

Here's the situation there's a large school of redbreast sunfish where I fish for bass and when the bass get lockjaw I like to go after the sunfish just to catch something. Thing is only thing I've ever caught those sunfish on are bits of nightcrawler.. They are staying at about 6 inches underwater so spinners and jigs aren't getting their attention. I am not buying nightcrawlers since I only go have the sunnies if the bass are being finicky. I've tried popeye flies, every topwater lure I own including floating grasshopper lure and all they do is stare at the treble hooks. Trout & Crappie Magnets, Trout dough, crappie nibbles and salmon eggs don't get their attention. Oh and the Powerbait fake earthworms in a jar do not fool them either. What can I catch them with that is not live bait since I want something I can carry in my bag at all times? These guys are driving me crazy...nobody else I've seen attempting can catch them either. BTW-why does a brown trout school with these sunnies? Its the weirdest thing he always stays in the center of the school like they were his bodyguards. I've been watching him for two months.

I say just give in and buy the nightcrawlers. They will keep for months (NO KIDDING) in your fridge as long as you keep them cool while your out fishing (small lunch box with an ice pack). You might as well buy the real worms because that is WAY cheaper than buying all kinds of artificial lures just for bluegills. And with real worms they will always bite. I do have a rebel crickhopper. It always gets a bluegill bite for me on just about every lake, but you can't swim it, you just gotta twitch it and "walk the dog" with it (keep it moving but not swimming). Green is the best color for me. Oh and it has to be REBEL name brand, Bass Pro cricket DOES not work. Not sure about the brown trout....sure it's not a small bass?