Is Using Live Baits More Fun Or What?

[jonnysmith]

since i saw alot of  small live bait fish of all types swimming around>i figured what ever big fish in this lake must eat those same bait fish> i thru some beard in the water & let the bait fish  group up> thru my casting net & got  id say 12 or so  small bait and i put them in a  bucket with water,,mannn the min.i cast a live bait fish a few yards from the shore>it didnt even last 1min before the bobber got slammed & pulled under water,pulled it out>  a fat 6lb peacock bass..then i said let me see whats roaming around the bottom>so i got a 6in shinny bait on the hook with a sinker stright to the bottom,,2min.later i got a huge pull and the fight was on big time,im talking my reel was screaming like a bull horn,,pulled it up an 18in thick snakehead,,i had a blast honestly

[Bluebasser86]

Nothing wrong with live bait, I do it myself sometimes especially during the winter for wipers, but it does take some of the sport/fun out of it for me when fishing for bass. If you're just out to catch whatever bites, it's a great route to take though. 

[BassinLou]

Unless I have small children with me, I would rather stay home then watch live bait swim around under a bobber. Its like sitting watching paint dry. I just don't get the fun in it! Not much skill involved, that's why the guides love it for clients, and parents do it with children.

 

I agree with your statement George. 

 

The only time I will use live bait for fishing will be if I am in search of  fish to eat. For ex: off shore saltwater fishing. If bass were a delicacy and I enjoyed eating them, then I would use live bait. 

 

However, since I love to bass fish strictly just for sport. Then its 100% artificial fishing all the time, for me . Catching a DD bass on a livebait to say I caught a DD bass will not fulfill me just one bit. To me it would be like if I cheated. I also feel the exact same way of fishing Big Bass off beds. 

 

It's the athlete in me I guess. I want to defeat my opponent fair and square.

 

My comments above are not meant to upset anyone. These are my beliefs in regards to bass fishing. 

[everythingthatswims]

If I want to catch a variety of species, I will use live shiners, and if I can keep them alive, shad and herring. I don't use live bait to go and target bass. I have been thinking about trying some 6-8" gizzard shad at a place I fish with lots of smart largemouth that feed on bait that size, mainly because I want to watch them chase it down.

 

In my opinion if you can keep a shad/herring alive long enough to use it for bait, you have the right to do so!

[rboat]

My friend and I fish artificial baits all the time, but usually once or twice a year we may plan a shiner trip. Usually when fishing is slower, like really hot summer or cold winter days. It is a nice change up and gives us a shot at a big fish. We use a specialty shiner/kahle style hook that gets them in the side of the mouth each time and makes catch and release easy. Just something different, although we both prefer artificial baits that make fishing more challenging and sporting.

[hawgenvy]

There's a local guide that supposedly nets a ton of small shiners or minnows before his client arrives. Later, out on the lake with the client at a choice spot, he pours a big pailful of the live bait back into the water; it makes the bass go crazy. Whets their appetite for more goodies. Then the guys catch a bunch of bass or peacocks with shiners or artificials. Pretty slick strategy, I think. Even gives the bait a (small) chance for freedom. Also, the bass are excited to see him when he motors up! Sure, he bruises some bass lips, but he throws them back, and on the whole they're glad to see him. Negative pressure!

 

This is hearsay, I do admit. Haven't seen it myself. Great concept though, ain't it?