I always keep my eyes open for old, beat up Creek Chub Pikie Minnows. I don't want the pristine ones-I look for the scarred up, battle damaged ones, as they're just going to get more beat up fishing for pike any ways. Nothing wrong with going a bit "old school." I pick up these tough old lures up here for between $5.00-$15.00. I've got some nice ones that never see the water too, but it's these old beaters that catch the most fish for me.
For bass, I like I like Bomber Model A's, Bagleys, and Shad Raps. As for surface lures, my go to floater is a Smithwick Devil's Horse or a Creek Chub Injured Minnow for largemouth. There ain't a self-respecting smallmouth bass in Minnesota than can resist a Plunker. Them's some crazy fish-I've had them attack a Plunker so hard they knocked it clean out of the water a couple times. For muskie, I go with Creek Chub jointed Pikie Minnows.
