I recently joined and am still getting acclimated with the site. With that said, I'm really picking up a lot of great tips from all different corners of the USA and I'm glad I joined. 

 

Anyway, who's with me? Line screeeeeeeming, drop the rod tip, lock drag, and SETTTTT! The ensuing sound of a large predator pulling out line in large runs, seeming to last hours, causing every hair to stand on end with excitement and fear. I'll say it again, I LOVE IT! 

 

Don't get me wrong, I fish lures. I fish lures when I know I can get more fish (with my skill level) on live bait. I'm still learning and can't wait to feel confident enough to enter a competition. 

 

I'm just curious if i'm alone!?

 

Drop some words of encouragement if you agree or disagree. Like a fellow angler once said to me while striper fishing at 6:30 am in Marblehead MA on a rocky out cropping. "Not bad, for a bait tosser. What he witnessed; I just pulled in about a 17# bass, and was soaked head to toe from a wave while scooping him up on some slick rocks. I came down from the rocks gleaming with excitement and that is what he says... Never will forget it. BTW air temp was probably 50, water 55... This guy was sha-sha-sha-sha-shivvvvering! 

 

B

Yes, that is the fun part of fishing - setting the hook and landing the fish.

 

Just going out and throwing a bait can be very calming after a hard day at work or on the road.

 

Mineral? Is there any water in Mineral?

 

I thought the only thing they have in Mineral are earthquakes!!!!!!

I do it for Specs (Crappie), but as far as Bass fishing goes I find rather move with artificials.

Nothing wrong with chucking live bait.  I will do it in the winter time while i am working artificials to help pass the time and up my odds a little bit.  Funny thing is this past winter i did better on artificials than i did with the live bait....go figure.

Most of my fishing is either tournaments or pre-fish for tournaments so I feel I need to use lures for bass, even when fun fishing. I've mellowed on this subject quite a bit as I used to be a purist. As long as the angler is law-biding and having fun and upping participation in the sport, I don't care. I'm probably in the same position as Gar-bass/artificials anything else-whatever works best

Yes, that is the fun part of fishing - setting the hook and landing the fish.

 

Just going out and throwing a bait can be very calming after a hard day at work or on the road.

 

Mineral? Is there any water in Mineral?

 

I thought the only thing they have in Mineral are earthquakes!!!!!!

Ha! I think all that shaking opened up some! lol

The only times I use live or cut bait is offshore in the ocean, casting with lures just doesn't work here, may as well troll and cover a lot more water.  There are exceptions when you spot a weedline, or see birds or bait working, that's the time for casting.

 

When it comes to bass fishing or inshore fishing using bait is blasphemy for me, it's always casting.  Not that I haven't done it, but dropping down a live croaker or sand perch using a 30 or 40# class rod heavier reel and line and waiting about 2 minutes for a 20# snook isn't my idea of fun or challenge.  I'd rather catch that same fish on a much lighter set up.

Last year when I went fishing with my girlfriend she would hate using lures so I would get her a few shiners so she would have fun catching fish. This year she is fully CONVERTED she only uses lures and sees live bait as borin and cheating

When I was younger and less experienced, I would throw live bait. Now, at this stage, if I have to resort in to throwing live bait, I may just not fish at all. For me it's the thrill of the hunt and challenge to convince a fish that this artificial thing I am presenting is edible. But, like someone mentioned earlier, if others use live bait, good for them. As long as they are following the rules and laws, I am cool with it.