Why is it that if you want a monster bass in Florida you use a wild shiner.

In Texas, especially Lake Fork, if you get caught using Live Bait you are some sort of a lower life form.

Just curious what the forum thinks?

Does it matter how you catch your trophy?

Is there some sort of a code of honor with artificials that makes the catch better?

8-)

I fish with live bait and artificials. When I catch a big smallmouth on a large shiner, I don't get any less excited. I stated before, when my boat leaves my seawall, I'm going to catch fish. If it takes live bait to do it, so be it.

Falcon

Some people will tell you that it takes more talent to fish with artificial. I use both.

I find it more exiting to catch a fish on a lure for some reason! I really know that i fooled a fish.

It would mean more to me to catch one on an artificial lure. It just seems like anyone could throw a shiner out there and catch a big one, but not with artificial lures. There are some baits like a senko that you just throw out and don't do anything to, but that's about it.

You still have to move a Senko.

My thing with artificial vs live bait is well artificial is more of a challenge. I mean who cant catch fish on live bait. Im into bass fishing because its more of a challenge with all the artificial baits and such.

IMO live bait is cheating.

"I mean who can't catch fish on live bait."

Do you want me to tell you many times I get skunked using live bait?LOL

I do enjoy the challenge of catching bass on artificial bait, but there are days when it is too painful to spend alot of time chucking and winding. (I've had six spine surgeries) so live bait is easier. I normally spend 75% of my time fishing artificial baits but on those days I can't, I don't hesitate to get some large golden shiners or spottails.

CHEATING?????

Falcon

I find it more exiting to catch a fish on a lure for some reason! I really know that i fooled a fish.

exactly how I feel.

I would rather catch on an artficial bait.....just seems like more of a challenge to me. Plus,someone has to keep all the tackle companies above water!

I use it sometimes. I like to toss a bunch of earthworms from the backyard into the ponds/lakes I fish, then throw a cast net in right where the worms sank, just to see what I get. Sometimes I just match my lures the minnows or bream, sometimes I use the minnows or bream. Most days though, I catch more on lures than live bait, but when the live bait bite is on, it is really on.

The only time I use live bait is for walleye. Using live bait is sort of like..... me tossing a cheeseburger in front of three starving fishermen. That thing will get eaten. Just seems too easy to me.

Live bait is just another option, similar to any other class of lures.

Well, except you will generally catch more fish and bigger fish!  :

"I like fishing, but I like catching more!"

For me, fishing is the attempt to solve a puzzle - mainly, where they are and what would be the best lure to present them with. Using a bait that is exactly what the bass is looking for takes out half of the puzzle, and for me, half of the fun. But that's just me. If a bass hits my watermelon colored grub, I think

"Why did he hit it? Did he hit it on the fall? Was it a fast retrieve, slow retrieve? Did the color have a factor? Would something else catch more/bigger fish?"

I think If I used life bait, my only thought would be "Why did he hit...oh wait, it's his main food source."

I don't really considering it cheating, but it seems to take away some of the sport.

Daryl

Nothing magical or technical for me...  I just get bored easily waiting for live bait to get eaten.  So unless the action is fast, I like using artificials because I have something to do.  Too many beers disappear when I'm using live bait.  :-?   ...lol

Well, except you will generally catch more fish and bigger fish!

If that was my experience, I would use live bait most of the time.  Something different in my mindset about hunting vs. being hunted.      

This is what I think. Being able to fish, be it aritificial or live, is an opportunity to enjoy the lakes or rivers across the US... The opportunity to enjoy these lakes and rivers creates a sense of responsibility to protect them and aid in their conservation. Regardless of the type of outdoor activity, if a person is not allowed to enjoy the opportunity to make use of it, (e.g.- camping, fishing, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, hunting), then it rarely leads to an interest in the conservation of a certian area. Think about the lady that owns Burt's Bees in Maine- she wanted to buy land in Maine around the Baxter State Park area and close it off to most outdoor activities. I doubt that the the fishemen and hunters would give two shakes to help protect an area that they could not enjoy. If using live bait allows to to have some fun- and in turn help conserve our wild areas- then strap on the biggest, baddest, ugliest, shiniest shiner you can and go catch some fish.

Amen!

FISHIN IS FISHIN!

Recreation fishin anything goes within the Fed/State laws and regulations.

Tourney and club fishin anything goes within their rules and regulations.

You still have to move a Senko.

Why?  

I haven't fished live bait for years. The only time I fish live bait is when I am not targeting bass, but targeting crappie. I'll use minnows then.

To me, catching a bass on an artificial bait is more exciting. The artificial has to be given your skill to catch the fish. Like flechero pointed out, usually the proper placement of a shiner will get you bit if they are biting that day. With the artificial, placement is also key, but on top of that you must also present correctly, use the right size bait, find the correct speed of the presentation, and match your lure selection to the conditions that are present. To me all that is WAAAAAAAY more challenging than using live bat. I am not saying using live bait is a sin. Heck, if you wanna use live bait have at it! Good luck to ya! Just isn't my thing I guess. 8-)

...  'Too many beers disappear when I'm using live bait.     ...lol  ' ;D

Hey, Flechero, you mean you fall asleep When live bait fishing and somebody steals it form you ???