How to mimic a shiner?

[reigndawgs]

I fish up at Ross Lake every summer and we usually do well with a lure called a "bingo bug" that apparently no longer exists. It kind of resembles a flat fish. Recently there has been a growing population of what folks up there call "shiners." It seems as though the trout have learned to feed on those (unfortunately they are likely feeding on young trout and trout eggs - at least that is the fear). Anyway, the point is that I am looking for a lure that would mimic these little fish. The bingo bug in black and red worked great last year. It kind of swims little hurky jerky, like maybe an injured fish. In the past I killed with green and yellow, but last year they definitely wanted black and red. I had no luck with trolling other red lures. Any advice, you sage fishermen out there? I need something to troll with and possibly fairly deep, not cast and retrieve. Thanks.

http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactShee ... ciesID=518

This is a link for what I was told they are. They are not native and the fear is that they will wreak havoc, but that is another topic.

[Anglinarcher]

The shiner you show is not the normal shiner. It is a little fatter, a little taller, then the ones I see most often, but still a shiner is a shiner.

For small minnow bait options, go to a Yourzi L-Minnow. It is small, but quite castable, and has excellent color options. You may need to order this from something like www.Cabelas.com.

For larger minnow bait options, you probably will do better with the Rapla Shad Rap style of lure. It is a little larger in profile, cast well, and they have a lot of shiner colors to chose from.

I hope this helps, but from the sound of the colors you were using, I don't think it was that your bait was matching the shiner in any way, but that they liked the color and action. If you can post o picture of the Bitsy Bug, I can suggest something similar.

[reigndawgs]

The shiner you show is not the normal shiner. It is a little fatter, a little taller, then the ones I see most often, but still a shiner is a shiner.

For small minnow bait options, go to a Yourzi L-Minnow. It is small, but quite castable, and has excellent color options. You may need to order this from something like www.Cabelas.com.

For larger minnow bait options, you probably will do better with the Rapla Shad Rap style of lure. It is a little larger in profile, cast well, and they have a lot of shiner colors to chose from.

I hope this helps, but from the sound of the colors you were using, I don't think it was that your bait was matching the shiner in any way, but that they liked the color and action. If you can post o picture of the Bitsy Bug, I can suggest something similar.

How do I post a picture on here?

[reigndawgs]

I added some pics of what the lures that I used to use look like for those requesting. Sorry for the delay, it took me awhile to figure out how to upload them.

[Anglinarcher]

What you are using is more like a fly than a lure. Perhaps the best solution would be to get some Wolly Buggers, or Wolly Worms, and rig them with a sinker about 2' above the fly for casting.

Good luck, I hope you do well.

[kevin salinas]

Not sure if I'm doing this forum stuff correctly - this is my first time online - and, additionally I see that I'm replying to a 9 month old post. That makes me a total ROOKIE at this stuff! However, what I do know and can help with is I know where the Bingo Bug guy resides and I have his phone number if there is an interest.......... let me know

[saltyseadog]

i bet he would like to get some more of those when i was a kid my gramps new a guy who made a spoon called a wells special . cant find em now but nice little casting spoons for the river:-$

[The Quadfather]

i bet he would like to get some more of those when i was a kid my gramps new a guy who made a spoon called a wells special . cant find em now but nice little casting spoons for the river:-$

SaltySaltyseadog,

Since you are up in Stanwood... I wonder if the "Wells Special" was possibly made by an old guy who owns Wells nursery in Mt. Vernon right along I-5. I fished with a simple homemade spoon that this old timer made once at Palmer lake in Eastern WA. We slayed some big trout. Just a funny thing that his name is Wells and that you are up near Mt. Vernon, Wells nursery.

[bcalvert]

i bet he would like to get some more of those when i was a kid my gramps new a guy who made a spoon called a wells special . cant find em now but nice little casting spoons for the river:-$

SaltySaltyseadog,

Since you are up in Stanwood... I wonder if the "Wells Special" was possibly made by an old guy who owns Wells nursery in Mt. Vernon right along I-5. I fished with a simple homemade spoon that this old timer made once at Palmer lake in Eastern WA. We slayed some big trout. Just a funny thing that his name is Wells and that you are up near Mt. Vernon, Wells nursery.

The "Wells Special" was made by the founder of Wells Nurseries along with his brother Earl. Harold (the founder) has passed away. And I am not sure what Earl is up to, but Holiday Sports in Burlington had a box of "Wells Specials" this past spring I picked one up to compare it to the few originals i got when i worked at the nursery. The bends in the spoon seem identical the only difference I could see was the way the hook was attached to the spoon.

[Bodofish]

What you are using is more like a fly than a lure. Perhaps the best solution would be to get some Wolly Buggers, or Wolly Worms, and rig them with a sinker about 2' above the fly for casting.

Good luck, I hope you do well.

Not really. I have a few bingos and they're like a soft rubber flatfish. Some have a feather or two attached. They're made up in BC, they used to be carried by a couple stores down here. Last time I tried to get some it was a no go. I emailed the factory......... (the guy's garage) and recieved a nasty gram back. I then call them to see where I could buy them. You have to keep in mind I'm trying to give this guy money. Apparently he has a hard on for us Yanks because he just tore me a new one when I was trying to order some from him. He didn't get any money. Guess I won't be buying bingo's in the future. Give them a shout if you dare!

Bingo Bugs

[Smalma]

The minnow found in Ross is the redside shiner; a native species to Washington though an exotic to Ross lake.

Any number of lures could copy the minnow though the trout seem to be chasing the smaller verions (an inch or so in lenght) so small spoons like the "Wells" or others like Dick Nites, triple teezers, etc should be effective. The smaller minnow plugs and streamers would also be effective. The fish seem to have a more goldish/greenish coloration than silver.

While there is concern that the minnows would compete with the trout for food those trout that get large enough to become predators on the shiners have shown increased growth. In the last couple of years more larger trout (15 to 18 inches) have been caught than any time since the initial new resevoir bloom.

Tight lines
Curt

[fishing collector]

Kevin....I contacted the Bubba Barn People and had no luck. However I did get some Bingo's on eBay last summer but haven't seen any others. You might try to use a wooly bugger and the little funnel like clear thingy that goes infront of a lure or fly to make it wiggle. I can't remember the name of it however. I used it a lot in front of flies and it seems to work well trolling for trout . I will post a pic of it if you need it. Good luck.. I pm'd you and would like a phone number for the bug people. Thanks Steve

[Big D]

Kevin....I contacted the Bubba Barn People and had no luck. However I did get some Bingo's on eBay last summer but haven't seen any others. You might try to use a wooly bugger and the little funnel like clear thingy that goes infront of a lure or fly to make it wiggle. I can't remember the name of it however. I used it a lot in front of flies and it seems to work well trolling for trout . I will post a pic of it if you need it. Good luck.. I pm'd you and would like a phone number for the bug people. Thanks Steve

The little funnel like clear thingy is called a wiggle fin.
Here's the link:http://wigglefin.com/
They are great little items, I use them most of the time while trolling.

[reigndawgs]

Wow, I thought this thread had given up the ghost.

Kevin - did you ever speak to this guy. Sounds like he doesn't really want to be bothered.

I really appreciate all the support.

[kevin salinas]

the guy is my father (chuck salinas) and the story behind the bingo bug is a long one. would be happy to help anyone get more bugs. they are available but i would prefer you call me for an explanation of what is going on.......541-954-2263

[fishaholictaz]

the guy is my father (chuck salinas) and the story behind the bingo bug is a long one. would be happy to help anyone get more bugs. they are available but i would prefer you call me for an explanation of what is going on.......541-954-2263

Might be better to have people pm you. May not want every one and their brother calling lol...

[kevin salinas]

true....but isn't it amazing what we will do for dear ol dad

[reigndawgs]

true....but isn't it amazing what we will do for dear ol dad

If my dad was still alive, I would do anything in the world for him.

[AdsBot [Google]]

I googled it and several websites came up.

[reigndawgs]

Kevin and I exchanged PMs and it sounds like the Bingo Bug is now available as the Frisky Fly. I will order some and make sure all works out okay and then let you guys know. You want some of these, trust me.