I usually set traps in deep holes in tiny creeks, tributaries of bigger creeks. 
 

However, I rarely get any over a 2-3” max. Where do I find the big fat 5-6 inchers?

I typically explore smaller creeks that feed larger creeks, and usually seek out deep holes and pockets holding chubs. The biggest I ever seem to be able to find are 2-3” max, however.

 

Where do I ge the fat 5-6 inchers? What conditions and water bodies do I need to focus on, ie depth/current/structure. Do I need flowing water or rocky structure, or do they tend to like stagnant water and muddy/sandy substrate? Thanks!

Believe it or not, your best bet at catching larger creek chubs is probably on hook and line. They’ll eat small chunks of nightcrawler and even go after small inline spinners. That seems far too time consuming just to get your hands on live bait though. 
 

I can’t help with the trap aspect, but they seem to prefer flowing water. I’ve never seen them hanging out in stagnant, dirty water. 

4 minutes ago, Finessegenics said:

Believe it or not, your best bet at catching larger creek chubs is probably on hook and line. They’ll eat small chunks of nightcrawler and even go after small inline spinners. That seems far too time consuming just to get your hands on live bait though. 
 

I can’t help with the trap aspect, but they seem to prefer flowing water. I’ve never seen them hanging out in stagnant, dirty water. 

Yeah, the ones on hook and line would probably be bordering on Muskie bait I’m just lookin for 5-6” smallie candy. 
 

Can you not catch them in traps?

14 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Yeah, the ones on hook and line would probably be bordering on Muskie bait I’m just lookin for 5-6” smallie candy. 
 

Can you not catch them in traps?

I’m sure you can, I just have no experience with traps. There’s a lot of good info on YouTube but a lot of them involve hook and line. Though I’m sure a size 12 hook would be small enough? 

Bigger minnows might not fit into the funnel on the trap. My first fishing experiences were catching creek chubs with rod and reel, they love bread corn and worms and even rooster tails 

I have caught lots of big creek chubs fishing with worms on a small hook.

  Seine.                        jj

On 3/12/2021 at 3:03 PM, Finessegenics said:

Believe it or not, your best bet at catching larger creek chubs is probably on hook and line. They’ll eat small chunks of nightcrawler and even go after small inline spinners. That seems far too time consuming just to get your hands on live bait though. 
 

I can’t help with the trap aspect, but they seem to prefer flowing water. I’ve never seen them hanging out in stagnant, dirty water. 

I catch them often when trout fishing.  They like to hit on 1/16 Countdowns as well as 1/16 and 1/8 spinners.  

We used to catch them with tiny hooks and tiny pieces of night crawler. We’d start at a place where a bridge crossed over a creek. The water was very clear, couldn’t see any bait fish at all, but seconds after the hook hit the water, we’d have one on. We’d get all species and all sizes. 

On 3/14/2021 at 10:22 AM, Scott F said:

We used to catch them with tiny hooks and tiny pieces of night crawler. We’d start at a place where a bridge crossed over a creek. The water was very clear, couldn’t see any bait fish at all, but seconds after the hook hit the water, we’d have one on. We’d get all species and all sizes. 

Then use them for bait?

1 hour ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Then use them for bait?

Yep.

1 minute ago, Scott F said:

Yep.

What’s the biggest minnow you’ve been able to get a smallie to eat?

Easily 5 or 6 inches. I seldom ever use live bait anymore except in the fall when I fish with a river guide who uses big red tail chubs. A 15 inch bass has absolutely no problem eating 6 inch chubs. 

I've done well with the crappie and mini crankbaits in the deep parts of shallow creeks

4 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

What’s the biggest minnow you’ve been able to get a smallie to eat?

I've caught smallmouth with 8-9 inch crappie in their throats. You're not going to use too big of a creek chub. This fish was only 16" but nearly 3lbs thanks to the 7-8 inch crappie in it's throat, but it still tried to eat a 5" jerkbait.

 

 

5-6 inch chubs are easy to catch on rod and reel. They're extremely aggressive and will attack a hook over and over again until you hook them. They have decent sized mouths for their size so it isn't like you're micro fishing to get them hooked.

9 hours ago, Scott F said:

Easily 5 or 6 inches. I seldom ever use live bait anymore except in the fall when I fish with a river guide who uses big red tail chubs. A 15 inch bass has absolutely no problem eating 6 inch chubs. 

Yeah I couldn’t believe how hard that 15” smallie hammered that 7” chub after blowing off my 3” shiners, they are pretty voracious.