Gulp vs. Live Bait Test

What do you think? Do you want to catch more fish? Well, you should know what works better – lures (artificial baits) or live bait. Which do you think catches more fish in side-by-side tests live bait or artificial bait? We tested Gulp maggots vs. real maggots (spikes).

In our Gulp vs. Live Bait Test, we used scientific testing. The two baits would face off on the same spot – separated by just 8 feet.  The same water location and the same time of day. We designed the Gulp vs. Live Bait test to try and keep everything even. Both baits would be fished by the same angler to eliminate angler skill changes. Each bait would be fished for :30 minute sessions – next to each bait’s spot. This would take place in the same 10 foot space. Three :30 minute sessions fished back-to-back.

In our Gulp vs. Live Bait test, we would be using equal measures of bait during the same time-period. Both baits would be fished on the hook the same way.

You decide now if Gulp vs. Live Bait. Which would you choose?

Now, we begin to answer the question. Gulp artificial bait was chosen as the first test subject as Gulp’s jar claims to “Outfish All other Bait” in field testing including live bait? We will see. We thought, this is a strong claim that the Gulp is going to Out-fish all baits when we know there is a pretty good challenger in live spikes. 

For full details and the answer to the question – which catches more fish Lures or Live Bait – just click to see our .pdf report on lures vs. live bait. Results and conclusions on the Gulp product when pitted against spikes (live bait).

In our tests, we used our best-performing fishing float which has caught over 1,300 fish this season (Aug. 1st) in urban fishing conditions. This would be used for fishing both baits in the test so the gear is exactly the same. We will literally use only one pole and one rig. The backup rig (hook, line, leader, sinkers and float) are the exact same so no differences in gear will impact the test results. 

(The following year after our test that same float caught 2,011 fish in 24 hours from SHORE. This was on a public pond!)  To catch this many fish, we do not use artificial baits- because fish like live bait is far better than Gulp for catching fish. Gulp vs. Live Bait – it’s a knock out!

The test was performed with identical rigs using our .5 Close-Range Flip Float from Live Bait Fishing Tackle. Our new float is ready to fish with hook, weights and sinker for poles and rods and reels. Use the Pro Pole Rig – this closely resembles what we used in the test. This is an improvement on our previous float used in this test.

Differences Between Gulp vs. Live Bait

We also wanted to break down cost of the product and other features. One thing we found shocking is that Gulp packages contain chemicals that are deemed to cause cancer with this warning: WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DHEP) and lead, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov 

Along with this chemical, cost is different than natural live bait. A jar of Gulp Maggots seems to cost between $4.99 and $6.99 for approximately 75 “grubs” in the  1.5 oz. jar. This would make each bait cost about .07 cents each at the lower price.  We found Gulp Maggot jars here. 

Live maggots come in very different quantities. For our purpose, we would be buying the 1,000 count from our online live bait source: Vados Bait Express live bait supplier

The 1,000 count goes for $14 at the time of this article’s edit. While shipping is a bit more for the live bait, we can also order in larger quantities to reduce our per grub pricing. For the purpose of this we compare price per grub to give you a feel for the pricing.

Cost of Gulp vs. Live Bait

Gulp .07 cents each and Live Maggot were close to .02 cents each. Since we don’t fish the Gulp as often, we can’t compare how it stays on the hook, nor do we want to touch them. The chemicals on these, we don’t want anywhere near our hands. Just for argument’s sake, I added shipping into only 1,000 spikes and the cost per grub is still below that of the Gulp. Even WITH shipping included on the live maggot – the cost per is still below .03 cents!! To get the same quantity of Gulp, we would need to spend over $66. The spikes are better than 1/2 the price of Gulp maggots.

Advantage Gulp?

The ONLY advantage of Gulp jars is that they don’t spoil. Live spikes (maggots) need to be kept cold in a cooler and on ice. Any grubs you are NOT currently ready to fish, need to be kept cold. If you do so, your spikes will last literally for months of fishing. Gulp does come in a couple colors- but so do live maggots. We do not give color as an advantage to either.

Our conclusion is that Gulp does NOT catch as well as live maggots. Fishing with live maggots triggers strikes as well as giving the angler MORE TIME to set the hook. Fish were ejecting the Gulp bait quickly resulting in some missed strikes. Gulp fished slower and did not stimulate the fish the same as a live spike on a hook.

We conclude that the natural scent, very natural live movement, shape and consistency of a live grub is the fish’s favorite. Add the harmful chemicals in the artificial bait and the choice is very clear. Catch more fish and be safer while fishing. The price is a big differentiator

Fish Better & Catch Fish 6x Cheaper

So with everything we put together, you catch fish at 3 x the rate and Gulp is 2x more expensive (or more). If you want to catch a ton of panfish and fish on spikes, you will do 6x better fishing live bait in the price you pay per fish. If I recall from the tests, the Gulp was easier to strip from the hook than live spikes. This means with the artificial grubs falling of the hook, your just will go way up. I am not willing to touch these baits again (maybe I will use a glove). When I redo this test, I am pretty sure I can increase the fish caught on spikes and the Gulp catch will go down. In my first 6 sessions testing these two baits- I put the live bait area too close to the artificial bait area. This resulted in fish that were excited (on the live bait side) swimming over to the artificial bait side. I believe the Gulp results were slightly boosted.

Fishing Spikes Tips

Order some live bait online. Split the shipping and the bait with a couple of friends. Take proper care to keep the majority of your spikes on ice, in a cooler and in the shade. A small portion that you are fishing, you can keep those in a small container for your hook. Do NOT set the whole quantity out in the sun. Only keep 20 or so grubs out for fishing and the rest on ice. I freeze 20 oz. plastic bottles solid and use several in my cooler for all day cooling.

When you arrive home – BAIT FIRST. First think you do is bait care. Put the spikes in the fridge back by where the cold air comes out. Spikes (maggots) can live for 2 months when parked back by the cold air intake in the back of your fridge. Proper bait care will equal better fishing. Keep your spikes dry. Wet spikes will escape. A lid or towel covering is good to give them shade, keep them cooler and keep the rain off of your spikes.

Buy good, tight seal containers. Don’t use cheap containers. Good seal lids that pinch and snap down are perfect. Drill tiny holes the size of pencil points in the top lid to let your spikes breath. 35 – 39 degrees and you will be catching so many fish. Trust me, it will be worth it to have a good cooler and great bait. Live spikes are a game-changer.

Add quality hooks. This is a massive advantage and keeps the spikes alive. I use the Owner Mosquito size 14 for everything that swims. I have caught 10 lb. carp and 5.5 lb. smallmouth on this tiny hook. If you have big bluegills, perch or crappie that you are fishing for, you can go up to size 10 Mosquito hooks. Using these hooks, your spike will move on the hook for over :15 minutes underwater and be fish-catching machines.

Carry a fish hook remover. You will get many more takes and you will hook more fish. This is a great problem. Use this fish hook remover to retrieve hooks. You can get a hook out of the stomach of a fish without seeing it. Keep the line TIGHT. The tool works every time if the line is tight. If the line is loose, the tool will never work.

Fishing spikes is going to spread like wildfire across the country. Once people see that they can catch fish 10 times less expensive and catch 5-6x the number of fish in the same session, the word will get out. Be on the cutting edge of this great fish-catching bait and you will break your personal records for fish caught. Get ready for new personal bests.