all depends what ur fishing for. around here u cant get a pike to hardly take a shiner cause its not worth the effort but u stick a big ol creek chub on there and its pike fishing time. shiners are great for crappy and perch and even trout all though i do better with powerbait for trout . earthworms for bluegill and catfish and also a earthworm on a willow leaf is great for walleye. thats the way i use my bait . 
