TheRodFather Posted October 8, 2019 Posted October 8, 2019 I'm buying a casting net and using some live bait. Hours of research, thousands of dollars invested, put my time in on the water. Frustration mounting. Rant over/ Carry on 1 2 Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted October 8, 2019 Global Moderator Posted October 8, 2019 I've taken my cast net 3 times in the last month and haven't thrown it once. I could have just grabbed the shad by hand Sunday. Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted October 8, 2019 Super User Posted October 8, 2019 Be mindful that there is a learning curve when it comes to throwing a cast net. It isn't nearly as easy as it looks. Should you actually get some shad or other bait fish, they die pretty quick unless you've got the right gear to take care of them. If you're going to seriously get into live bait fishing, get a bait cooler and take care of it. If you let bait die in it and a few days or more go by before you clean it, it can create a stench that doesn't easily go away. I respect guys who are good at bait fishing. It can get just as technical and small nuances make a difference, just like in bass fishing. Some of the bass gear you've got now will transfer over can become adequate bait fishing gear and some can't. Your flipping stick is nearly worthless for bait fishing - unless you're fishing in gnarly cover using heavy line and 6" or so shiners or shad and balloons for bobbers, etc. Then it is just the ticket. Here's another example. Once upon a time I got a 10' Predator Casting rod and a 2 speed Abu Garcia 6500 Bait casting reel. Just the ticket if you want to make 100 yard or so casts, throwing a 2 or 3 ounce slab spoon into tail race waters. Not a lot of other bass fishing applications. A bubba float & fly rig doesn't work very well and is kinda silly. Distance casting doesn't have some applications for catfish and other species, so I do fish with the rig occasionally. Bottom line is that pretty soon after you get into fishing live bait, you're going to find the need for live bait specific gear. There is some cross over with bass gear, but not a lot. Some bass gear is a liability in bait fishing, a good for instance is the extra fast tips I like on my shakey head rods. In casting live bait using a rod with an extra fast tip, you're going to throw off some bait until you get your cast down. Moderate action, more "tippy" rods, work better for live bait fishing. So, bottom line, if you decide you're going to get into live bait fishing and you decide that you want to get good at it, get ready to spend more money for appropriate gear. 1 Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted October 8, 2019 Global Moderator Posted October 8, 2019 I cast net bait and fish it all the time. People that say live bait fishing is boring and just sitting around waiting have never tried cast net and pitching shad. Its everything BUT boring and there is no waiting involved 3 Quote
Super User JustJames Posted October 8, 2019 Super User Posted October 8, 2019 Luckily cast net is prohibited in CA, no fish fine, I’ll go home have a cup of joe in front of TV. Quote
813basstard Posted October 8, 2019 Posted October 8, 2019 Fishing is a relationship. There’s ups downs and in between. Learn when you lose. Limit those mistakes (if any) and celebrate the good times. There are more fish to catch than bass also...sometimes we forget Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted October 10, 2019 Super User Posted October 10, 2019 On 10/7/2019 at 10:12 PM, TheRodFather said: I'm buying a casting net and using some live bait. Hours of research, thousands of dollars invested, put my time in on the water. Frustration mounting. Rant over/ Carry on Before you make the investment in time and money, buy a few dozen minnows. Store bought baits are more effective than "natural" minnows simply because they are different. Make sure your equipment is working and add some Catch & Release to the water. Don't be frugal with the bait, the minnow must be alive and active. I also recommend Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hooks #6. Quote
Titan Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 On 10/8/2019 at 11:10 AM, 813basstard said: Fishing is a relationship. There’s ups downs and in between. Learn when you lose. Limit those mistakes (if any) and celebrate the good times. There are more fish to catch than bass also...sometimes we forget I agree! I'm still bass fishing, but I really enjoy going after big blue cats this time of year. It's a much more relaxing experience! Quote
Fishin' Fool Posted October 10, 2019 Posted October 10, 2019 On 10/7/2019 at 11:12 PM, TheRodFather said: I'm buying a casting net and using some live bait. Hours of research, thousands of dollars invested, put my time in on the water. Frustration mounting. Rant over/ Carry on What state do you live in? Join a bass club as a non-boater (co-angler). You'll learn a ton. Quote
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