Is live bait better? (Page 2): Agree RJ lures aside—- I can’t remember the last time I was ready to go “instantly” or for that matter the last time I “tied one on”.

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

Robert J Samples wrote:

To your question, " Is live bait better?" generally YES, but there are problems in acquiring live bait, it takes a lot of time, or expense to collect live bait, even if it is available, and often it isn't. While a lure (even the rightr type) is expensive, the reasons lures are so popular is they are ready to go instantly when you tie one on. Just Sayin...RJS

Agree RJ lures aside—- I can’t remember the last time I was ready to go “instantly” or for that matter the last time I “tied one on”.

Jack Salman Loc: Crystal Falls, Michigan (UP)

Mauwehu wrote:

Agree RJ lures aside—- I can’t remember the last time I was ready to go “instantly” or for that matter the last time I “tied one on”.

This is very funny, in fact I "tied one on" last week while watching people try to dip for smelt near Lake Superior. One of the young guys that showed up did too, but he fell down the rocky bank and ended up in the stream with his waders on. He got out, but the air temp was 27, so his smelting was rather short-lived. As for the question of live bait for Crappie, I have had pretty good luck with small shiny minnows on a small jig-head and if you have access to wax-worms, they work pretty well also. Fish on!

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Don Fischer wrote:

You can use live worms in Washington can't you? Ya... (show quote)

Ok for worms and crawlers. Also OK to use cut bait

Mark the shark

Reel hip wrote:

Live bait is great for tuna!

Live bait is always preferable when available. It keeps the small nuisance fish to a minimum.
You may not get the same amount of fish but what you get will be better quality fish. Very often when fish are finicky a live bait will get them eating.

CRKfish Loc: Southern New Jersey

Usually it’s better. If you fish with it where there are fish. One down side is you can’t cover as much water with it as you can fan casting swim shads or crank baits. But Once you find, fish it’s dynamite. The slime on live minnows, bunker , mullet,etc. can draw fish in from downstream or current from quite a distance, and the vibration produced by them trying to swim against the hook and line pressure will trigger aggressive strikes.

CRKfish Loc: Southern New Jersey

Several times,while drifting for flounder, I have seen gulp swimming mullets and gulp grubs hooked on a bucktail and another gulp on a teaser tied to a dropper loop about a foot above the bucktail , out fished live minnows and squid.

Mike-1000 Loc: SE Mn. Between Winona Mn. and LaCrosse Wi.

Robert J Samples wrote:

To your question, " Is live bait better?" generally YES, but there are problems in acquiring live bait, it takes a lot of time, or expense to collect live bait, even if it is available, and often it isn't. While a lure (even the rightr type) is expensive, the reasons lures are so popular is they are ready to go instantly when you tie one on. Just Sayin...RJS

RJ let me tell you about my dog she’s a black lab/coonhound and she loved training and finally hunting ducks and pheasants all she needed was to see the shotgun and she’d get giddy then jump in the van.
One spring I decided to mess around with the dog so I walked out the door carrying a fishing pole and tackle box the dog looked then took off running toward the barn, I went to look for her a while later so I walked down to the barn and there was my well trained dig...digging worms!

Jack Salman Loc: Crystal Falls, Michigan (UP)

Mike-1000 wrote:

RJ let me tell you about my dog she’s a black lab/coonhound and she loved training and finally hunting ducks and pheasants all she needed was to see the shotgun and she’d get giddy then jump in the van.
One spring I decided to mess around with the dog so I walked out the door carrying a fishing pole and tackle box the dog looked then took off running toward the barn, I went to look for her a while later so I walked down to the barn and there was my well trained dig...digging worms!

Great story...I believe it...That was one smart dog that was NOT getting left behind.

Tman Loc: Winston-Salem, NC

I taught my 3 years old grandson how to catch a fish this past weekend. I bought crickets for the occasion. Crickets have never let me down if you're fishing for bluegills. I would attach a picture if I could figure out how. I've tried following the instructions below with no luck.

Tman Loc: Winston-Salem, NC

I taught my 3 years old grandson how to catch a fish this past weekend. I bought crickets for the occasion. Crickets have never let me down if you're fishing for bluegills. I would attach a picture if I could figure out how. I've tried following the instructions below with no luck.

Tman Loc: Winston-Salem, NC

Sorry, hit send twice or I'm just repeating myself.

Don Fischer

What is better, this or that? Just depends on who you ask! Guy that's never caught fish on anything other than worms will tell you they work best, best used live! Guy that has tried it all simply has found what he likes best. Watched a couple catfish videos by couple guy's that swear by cut bait. They both decided to show cut bait is better than chicken. Both had chicken out fish their cut bait that day. So the problem you have here is your asking but you haven't a clue who you asking. You want to know which is better? Try them out and decide for yourself!

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Don Fischer wrote:

What is better, this or that? Just depends on who ... (show quote)

If you are correct, that would sure throw out the statement : "10% of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish". That being said, the best bait is only the best bait at a given time, location, and presentation.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

For many of us, much of the fun is finding the best bait at a given time location and presentation. Those that do that best, are the 10% of fishermen who catch 90% of the fish.

Don Fischer

bapabear wrote:

For many of us, much of the fun is finding the best bait at a given time location and presentation. Those that do that best, are the 10% of fishermen who catch 90% of the fish.

That is probably true!