“It’s cheating!” most proclaim. “They’re too expensive!” some even complain. “Whatever puts them in the boat!” I exclaim. Disallowed in tournaments. Too expensive for a dozen to purchase from bait shops. Messy and a burden to maintain and keep alive. These are just a few excuses for not wanting live minnows, and I get it. Just come to the realization there will be days in October and November, or late in the year, in which the best smallmouth anglers on the planet will struggle putting fish into the boat with artificial lures. This is common, and happens more than you may think. As a guide I cannot make fishing guarantees, but I can guarantee you of these situations happening. Fishing guides utilizing live bait to some capacities are ready to haul great catches daily. Live bait is my boat’s insurance policy. Once October 1st rolls around, big lively minnows are brought aboard on a daily basis.   Suckers for Smallmouth Guides and the most serious late season anglers rely on live bait almost exclusively. Across most fisheries, live minnows work. Folks can fish with only a single rod with live bait rig in-hand, or under a mul