What would give you a better chance at a fifty?

[Back Beach]

I’ll use statistics instead of theory.
First off, I used to fish plugs exclusively for quite a few years. The reason was when I started out fishing, I usually had just enough money in my pocket to gas up the truck and make it to and from the beach. I had two plugs I fished with, one was a green 7” super strike needlefish, and the other was a jointed 7” black bomber. To this day I feel as though you could get by with just those two plugs in your bag, save for a couple jigs. I’ve landed hundreds and hundreds of fish on those two plugs, but the largest fish I’ve taken is about 35# on the bomber. Not a bad fish, but no monster. The average plug size fish for me is probably about 8-12#.
Let’s consider eels and other free swimming baits from the standpoint of my own trend line. The average fish I typically catch on eels are about 16- 25#. This includes both the boat and surf fish I’ve caught. There should be no surprise at the divergence in sizes from bait caught to plug caught. Remember these are averages, but my eel caught fish average roughly twice the size of the plug fish I’ve taken. I would imagine it’s the same for most anyone who has done a lot of both. At times artificials will out do the baits, but look at your successes over the long term and it’s really an easy choice if you are looking to position yourself to catch the larger fish.
That’s why I rarely carry plugs, BECAUSE.....

they're for schoolies.....

[keeperreaper]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

At times artificials will out do the baits, but look at your successes over the long term and it’s really an easy choice if you are looking to position yourself to catch the larger fish. That’s why I rarely carry plugs.

My sentiments exactly.

[RIROCKHOUND]

Mike; I'd agree with those stats as far as average sizes; I look at the number of decent (20+lb) fish caught vs. number of nights; way higher with eels.
As far as plugs; I agree w/ not carrying many that often, but mainly because I share your hatred (fear) of treble hooks at night!

My mindset is twofold Steve.

1. I think eels (or other live; scup, herring, pogies) are about as close to being 100% as you can be for getting a hit, if a hungry fish is in the area. Sometimes they don't work, but properly presented, they usually do BECAUSE they are live bait. Plugs need more presentation, finesse, and just general will of the fish to eat it than live bait...

2. I also fervently believe that live baits tend to cull out larger fish...
maybe because of size, or wariness of bigger fish, who knows, but many nights at outflows I have drifted eels among the crowd of pluggers and consistently pulled larger fish.

There are conditions I prefer wood/plastic. some outflows in a storm fish better with a darter or large swimmer. I think eels just can't be presented correctly in those conditions. but as someone who is after larger fish at the expense of numbers, I'll fish eels (live or rigged) 75% or more of the time..

[nightfighter]

Livelining pogies, preferably the same size, 8-10", as last year! Separates the nice fish from the cows.

[Gunpowder]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

Livelining pogies, preferably the same size, 8-10", as last year! Separates the nice fish from the cows.

that it does... though i can attest for catching my largest on a plastic, i know the truth that live fresh real bait will by far in the long run catch the larger cows. juveniles are kinda dumb when their young and will munch on anything that floats by them..... the 15 year-olds and up have a lotttttt more wisdom and it is much easier to entice them with a well presented bait than an artificial lure.

[Tagger]

I have to say live bait .. The goal of fishing a lure is to imitate live bait . I have seen some more skilled than me at getting certain lures to imitate live bait . The ultimate is to be so good with plugs you can skip all the hassle of live bait ,, transporting and keeping it alive . Not throwing logs on fires . I think there's a boat man, surf man point of view also .. Surfman is always thinking about being mobile ,,, travel lite as possible .. Some just take pride in there skills to catch on plugs .. good question.. raises another question ... The 3 record 73lb. fish in Mass .. caught on what ? 1. goo goo eyes 2. a teaser ,, forgot .. what was the 3 rd ?