I used to be a devout live minnow and jig fisherman until one day my buddy was sitting in the other end of my boat hammering the crappies .
Finally I asked him what the heck he was using and he showed me a package of Berkley Gulp Minnows.
It took me a couple of outings to get convinced but that is all I have used for the last two years.
I like the Erie Shiner and Black Shad in 2 1/2" and also 3"
I fish them on 1/8 oz jigs ,Chartreuse, White, and Pink under a 1' bobber set to float the jig just above the brush.
I brought home 10 from Moraine Park last week which included a 14",2- 13's and 2- 11's and threw a bunch of smaller ones back.
Hope that this helps.