OK - It's hard to beat live minnows! But, when you're in the Quetico Park (no minnows OR leeches allowed from US paddle entry), or a stocked stream trout pond, or have a 10 year old along for the ride, you just can't beat the undead. Packed in an all-plastic, BWCA-legal, reusable jar, these shiners DO look very nice. Hook one on to your favorite gliding jig and bring that guppy back to life! A jar doesn't take a lot of room, they don't stink, they don't spoil, and you can't kill them accidentally. Plus, they look good enough to eat - but don't. Heck, if a fish'll whack a plastic lure, he'll bite a real minnow, too! Mediums are perfect walleye size for jigs or trolling with spinners, the smalls are perfect for rainbows and panfish on jigs, small spinners, etc.