Live Bait

[StickinLips]

So I got into this discussion the other day.  We hit the lake the other day and brought some shiners with us, I commented that I felt like I was cheating.  My brother asked why? I said I just felt like live lining shiners was unfair and I always thought that fishing for LMB/SMB I was more accomplished and above using live bait.  He then asked why I don't hesitate to throw a live eel? He said when people do that there hunting for big stripers, using shiners was just hunting for big LMB/SMB. Now I'm torn, I'm curious, what do people think?

[bassturds]

some concept as live lining macks for stripers

[Slabosorous]

I think it is easier to catch a trophy bass on live bait than on artificials... doesn't mean it is easy though. People who catch the biggest LMB and SMB are usually masters of using (huge) live bait... people who say it's cheating would often be using giant live bait if they knew how to consistently catch large fish on it, but it's a little harder to figure out than they think

Edited January 5, 2016 by Slabosorous

[clopes]

Elitest mentality. Who cares what you use as long as it's legal.

[b-ware]

Elitest mentality. Who cares what you use as long as it's legal.

And it tastes just as good..................

[bassturds]

shiners are just a pain in the ass to deal with. cost, dragging the bucket. 

pain for us car toppers and yakers! i only use shiners in the cold water when im desprate for a bite

[zak-striper]

I have a love/hate relationship with using bait. I've had days where I was only able to get fish with live bait. I've had days I've only gotten fish on lures.

 

Carrying around a bucket of shiners or eels is a real pain in the arse as well. Sometime, babysitting the bait rod, waiting for a hit, feels like I'm limiting my opportunities because I can't cast & move while covering a lot of area.

 

If I'm covering a lot of territory, I don't bring bait because I don't want to deal with it. If I'm concentrating on a small area then I use bait.

 

I have no qualms with using live bait. I can't argue with the results. I've caught my biggest striper, to date, with live eels. However, I definitely cannot fish with only bait while sitting there staring at my rod, waiting for a hit. I always have a second rod for throwing lures, jigs, plastics, etc.

Edited January 5, 2016 by zak-striper

[ctownfisherman]

To each their own. I use them when appropriate. I also love to jig on ice and no fish can hide. Anyone who says ice fishing is no fun has never used electronics while ice fishing. Changes the game and often times makes all the effort of tip ups a big WOT. I plan to fish live shiners, trout worms, mealies, waxies, mousies and power bait to crush trout this weekend. Bring it on!

 

Best,

Ctown

[DAQ]

I don't fish bait in fresh or salt. Elitist mentality? Not really, I don't care how anybody fishes. Bait is a pain in the ass and I find it less fun and less challenging to use. 

[PlasticBoat]

I don't like using bait. I generally only use it when necessary (like for winter flounder), and prefer to stick to particularly low animals and invertebrates, like seaworms. I do think it's generally more challenging and satisfying to fish artificials than bait. I'm not going to give anyone a hard time for using it, but I am more impressed / interested when people get fish on lures. There's something about fooling a fish into eating something that's only made enticing by your actions.

 

Part of my dislike of bait comes from an ethics standpoint. I don't think fish have all that much sentience (awareness/ability to feel pain), but they have some. Hooking a fish to fight it briefly before eating it or releasing it seems reasonable to me. Hooking an eel through the eye, knowing that, for every moment I'm fishing, whether I'm successful or not, it (or another eel) will be in pain is hard for me to accept.

[Skitter]

Too much thinking imo

 

Whatever works if it's legal while taking the best care and releasing all or most fish.

 

There is a lot to learn and gain skills with fishing bait of any kind.

[robc22]

Elitest mentality. Who cares what you use as long as it's legal.

[bob_G]

If it was ever allowed, I doubt I would ever fish live herring again.  Make no mistake, it was the coolest way to fish on the planet.  But it was also the biggest pia. Plus, the herring stocks are so beleaguered, I don't think it's right to view them as just 'bait'.

 

Now shiners for lmb, that another story. Used to be one of my fav ways to catch lmb. When I was a kid, it was so cool watching that bobber disappear below the surface of the water.

[capie 01]

Thank You...

[buz23]

I always have a second rod for throwing lures, jigs, plastics, etc.

Zak, I almost stepped on your second rod one dark night last summer on MV (I don't use a flashlight when going along the beach).  For those that have an extra, watch where you leave it.  Way up behind you and maybe oriented along the beach.

 

I'll be on the Vineyard June 25-July 9.  New moon will split my vacation this summer - can't wait.