Yeah, I know that 'pros' don't mess with live bait. But in the last few days the big bass have moved off the beds and into deeper water. They are also hungry. When I was out Saturday I worked the shallow weed beds for almost 2 hours before figuring out that there weren't any bass there. So this afternoon I got on the water about 5:30 and went over to a dock where I've seen kids catching shiners with breadballs. Caught 3 shiners and within 30 minutes I'd landed 24", 23" and 20" bass. Played around with some cranks and also tried out a new frog for a while but then went back and got a couple more shiners. Within 10 minutes I caught a 22" bass and then on my last shiner a small bass hit it and killed it but I missed the hookset. By then it was dark so I cruised around a bit and headed in.

Love the "skwerl" avatar image!!  Is he supposed to be a "Supernut"!!  Sorry, couldn't resist it! ;D ;D

I have wondered about using shiners for this time of year.  You just proved my theory!  Where were you fishing, deep or shallow, near boat docks or open deeper water?  Smallies or large mouth?  From the length you were describing, it must have been large mouth.

So tell us your secret on how you rigged the shiner.  Did you hook the shiner through the nose to allow it to swim around?

He's in central Florida, it can't be smallies

Roger

Trolling slowly 50' out from shore in about 12' of water. I was working the edges and docks with a super fluke as well (caught one dink). I would prefer to freeline them but they will just bury in the grass, so I run a bobber about 3' up from the hook. I hook them up through the lower jaw and then through a nostril. Set them out, start trolling and keep the rod within reach. You will know when a big lunker is on.

The avatar is something I found online a few years ago. I am an arborist and climb trees for a living. Although I don't climb as much any more since buying a bucket truck last year. My nickname is 'Rocky J Squirrel' (of 'Rocky and Bullwinkle' fame).

Glad you got the cherry picker.  Must have cost a fortune so business is good  

Don't assume that pro's don't use shiners.  Many pro's use live bait alot, they just can't do it in a tournament.

shiner fishin be fun.  I love bobber watchin.

I keep waiting for the "summer dog days" to set in and then will get me some shiners.  The fishing is still pretty good in the evening with a very good top water bite so I'm not ready for the shiners or bream just yet.

How is your lake?

This drought has mine lower than I've ever seen it and the weeds are really taking over.  The 3/8th gambler chatter bait is working, as is the super spook and frogies.

I caught my best bass this evening on a zoom trick worm.  about 3 pounds, probably a little less, because I didn't weigh it  ;D

I love to shiner fish. I got hooked on it when I was stationed in South Ga.

Hey dont knock live bait fishing. Sevral times a year i go out with one rod somes hooks and bobbers and a few dozen nightcrawlers and I always have a ball. I think artificals proves more of a challange for me But every once in a while its good to be a kid again and drown some worms or as they say back home in Brooklyn WOIMS 8-)

I tend to agree on artificial being more challenging.  Live bait always catches something.  You're guaranteed to catch even a small fish on live bait and almost no matter what bait you're using.  At least that's been my experience as a kid.  I am just now getting more serious into the artificial bait thing so it has been very challenging.  I have a lot to learn! :-[

Artificail bait vs. live bait is like any other kind of fishing.  There are days when the right artificial will outfish live bait in both numbers and size.

Your right though.  TYPICALLY live bait will outfish artificails, but fishing big shiners for big bass is a great Florida tradition.  You still need to look in the right places and a mistake fishing with a shiner will cost you just like with the artificials.