Is there a stigma against live bait?
Sep 2, 2019 14:39:30 #
Like, I don’t see many experienced fishermen using live baits. Is it considered amateurish? Cheating? I can’t seem to catch fish on anything except organic bait so I was wondering why, for instance, fishing youtubers or pros don’t use them.
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by the-bladed-one
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by the-bladed-one
Sep 2, 2019 14:39:34 #
Artificials I think are more durable and versatile. It also depends on what your fishing for (ie things like carp and catfish are best caught on organic bait)
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by RavingModerate
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by RavingModerate
Sep 2, 2019 14:39:39 #
I love fishing live bait. Worms and crickets are the easiest to buy and keep alive, they’re not used for what I normally target. Minnows, shiners, and small shad are great to fish with, but harder to obtain, harder to keep alive, and not as transportable.
So I usually stick with artificials for ease of use. But I don’t think there’s anything amateurish about fishing live bait.
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by Squibblezombie
So I usually stick with artificials for ease of use. But I don’t think there’s anything amateurish about fishing live bait.
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by Squibblezombie
Sep 2, 2019 14:39:44 #
It's a bit of personal and trying prove to yourself that buying the hundreds of dollars worth of lures was a worthwhile investment, especially that one lure that moves so good, but has never caught anything "yet".
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by xxxxMugxxxx
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by xxxxMugxxxx
Sep 2, 2019 14:39:50 #
If it works for you use it.
I don't have a way to keep minnows alive very long and they are pricey. Most live bait is relatively pricey and you have to keep it alive. Just throw a bag or box of artificials in your bag and you are good to go all day without having to worry about them. And you can go straight to the lake or river without having to worry about stopping to get some.
Now I'm not against wading in the river before going out on the kayak to get same crayfish or helgrammites, but that's the extent. If I catch some sunfish or suckers I might hold onto them for some catfishing later, but I can't bring myself to buy anything.
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by DarkRyok
I don't have a way to keep minnows alive very long and they are pricey. Most live bait is relatively pricey and you have to keep it alive. Just throw a bag or box of artificials in your bag and you are good to go all day without having to worry about them. And you can go straight to the lake or river without having to worry about stopping to get some.
Now I'm not against wading in the river before going out on the kayak to get same crayfish or helgrammites, but that's the extent. If I catch some sunfish or suckers I might hold onto them for some catfishing later, but I can't bring myself to buy anything.
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by DarkRyok
Sep 2, 2019 14:39:54 #
Pros don't use live bait because it's banned in tournaments. Plenty of youtubers use it. (EPF, Richard Gene, Cats and Carp, kayak catfish) Lures are considered more sporting because they require more technique and finesse to use but live bait is considered more effective if you just want to catch some fish.
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by Artifoo
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by Artifoo
Sep 2, 2019 14:39:59 #
Sep 2, 2019 14:40:02 #
I consider it do be both amateurish and cheap personally. Literally anyone can catch a largemouth on a live bluegill for example but, who wants to do that and sit around waiting when you could be stalking them, enticing fish out of their hiding spots for a piece of plastic. Its not always about catching a fish to me, its how I was able to do it.
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by walterh3
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by walterh3
Sep 2, 2019 14:40:06 #
Personally I prefer the live bait simply because if I get a line break or a snag and lose the hook, I’m only leaving a worm and a hook that will rust away. If I lose a plastic lure, especially one with paint on it, I’m polluting the environment.
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by the-bladed-one
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by the-bladed-one
Sep 2, 2019 14:40:12 #
Sep 2, 2019 14:40:19 #
Use whatever you want and whatever works best for you. I use both lures and live bait and catch plenty of fish on both. Sometimes the bait isn't cutting it and I switch to a good lure, sometimes the lure isn't doing the trick and hook up some live bait. If I'm gonna be called an amateur for using something that works well for me and catches some fish then that's their problem.
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by BowHunterS01
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by BowHunterS01
Sep 2, 2019 20:12:40 #
Most, and by most I mean all, bass fishing tournaments, and bass fishing organizations prohibit the use of live bait. Not considered sporting and as someone said above, they're selling branded lures not branded live bait. Hey if all you're interested in is catching fish, use whatever works for you. Have fun and keep your hooks sharp.
Sep 3, 2019 09:13:56 #
Golfish1951
Loc: North Carolina
The only stigma is by those jealous “anglers” who are too lazy to catch live bait and then do not have the experience or knowledge to use it correctly. Sure, i love my plastics (Gulp, DOA, etc.) but i will take live bait over artificial 100% of the time and out fish the lure fisherman 99% of the time. Put a big shiner under a float in Florida and then watch a 10 pound bass chase him on the top, inhale and take off with your float. You will be hooked just like that trophy!
Sep 3, 2019 12:08:56 #
I used live bait in California when I lived there for about 10 years, but I moved back to Washington State and it is not legal to use here - sure worms and crickets and such, but not crawdads or minnows. Those who make the regulations have been pushing toward fishing and hunting to be the rich man's pursuits here for years and have been quite successful so far. Fishing and hunting used to supplement to food budget.
Sep 3, 2019 13:33:38 #
Garry
Loc: Wellborn, Florida
I've always caught my own shiners and kept and used them for days. I use a 55 gal plastic drum with about
the top 1/3 cut off the round shape keeps them from beating their brains out in the corners. On hot days I bring a few gal jugs with ice frozen in them to drop in the barrel to keep the water cool for the shiners.
One plus of doing this is I regularly will catch a bass on the first shiner I catch, while still catching bait. When I get home I put the aerator in the drum and I'm ready for tomorrow. I save the ones that die for cut bait for catfish.
the top 1/3 cut off the round shape keeps them from beating their brains out in the corners. On hot days I bring a few gal jugs with ice frozen in them to drop in the barrel to keep the water cool for the shiners.
One plus of doing this is I regularly will catch a bass on the first shiner I catch, while still catching bait. When I get home I put the aerator in the drum and I'm ready for tomorrow. I save the ones that die for cut bait for catfish.
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