Artificial baits have improved in recent years, among them Gulp! produced by Berkley. Fish in many cases will hit these baits. They're particularly handy to have on hand when traveling by canoe, such as in the Boundary Waters, where live bait can be difficult (and sometimes prohibited) to transport. These artificials also are useful for panfishing, because they tend to stay on hooks, whereas live bait often must be frequently changed. Size and profiles of these baits vary widely, from minnow-shaped to corn-shaped.

Dennis Anderson