lures vs. bait

[Jackbass]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Why not do both? Any time I fish bait off the bottom, I also cast plugs to fish up in the water column.

Not a bad idea I suppose. I generally only fish nights and hang with the family on the beach during the day so bait would probably be a good idea if I were to fish during the day.
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[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Jackbass

Not a bad idea I suppose. I generally only fish nights and hang with the family on the beach during the day so bait would probably be a good idea if I were to fish during the day.
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Tossing bait is great on the family beach trips. Not so much this year, but in the past we would regularly drive out on the Race for some family fun time - cookout, campfire, beach sports. A few of us would bring a rod each, toss some sand eels and go socialize. If a rod went off, great.

Also if there was somewhat steady action, it was a chance for people to reel in a fish that may not have a chance otherwise. My fiancee blames her dad and his family beach and boat trips for sowing the seeds of what is now my addiction.

[Jackbass]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Tossing bait is great on the family beach trips. Not so much this year, but in the past we would regularly drive out on the Race for some family fun time - cookout, campfire, beach sports. A few of us would bring a rod each, toss some sand eels and go socialize. If a rod went off, great.

Also if there was somewhat steady action, it was a chance for people to reel in a fish that may not have a chance otherwise. My fiancee blames her dad and his family beach and boat trips for sowing the seeds of what is now my addiction.

If you are ever out there and see a black F 150 with an SB sticker on it say hi. I am out there most weekends.
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[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Jackbass

If you are ever out there and see a black F 150 with an SB sticker on it say hi. I am out there most weekends.
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Will definitely watch out for you. I have a Silver Dakota with a grey bedcap. No SB sticker on mine because I keep being out of town during meetups.

[spinncognito]

Bait, especially live does indeed making catching easier.

There is a particular area that myself and a few friends fish often with plugs only. Leading up to commercial season we were getting a few fish on top with pencils and metal lipped swimmers.

As soon as commercial season started there were six boats in the exact area, well within casting range using live pogies and/or macs. Every morning they cleaned up, bagging multiple 30 and 40 pound fish right in front of eyes. Point being that those fish were there the whole time but not being easily fooled by our artificials. Now that comm season is over we are back to catching a few good fish per week.

[Ed B]

A good friend of mine who has been a very good and successful big fish catcher for many decades has an expression which i really like. He says "Big fish don't chase". While that is a generalization and doesn't explain every possible circumstance or big fish that has ever been caught, his statement is valid. To increase your odds, presentation of the right lures in the right place and manner is key to big fish of all species, and that is the fun of artificials made of wood, plastic, rubber, fur or feathers.

Now, if I were told I had to bring home a big fish or the family would go hungry, I'd fish an eel. But if I were out to have fun for myself, I'd be looking for a current seam or edge to slowly work a plug and dropper combo. And I would not be surprised if my biggest fish came on a properly presented dropper.


Ed

[Sgt Striper]

Originally Posted by Ed B

A good friend of mine who has been a very good and successful big fish catcher for many decades has an expression which i really like. He says "Big fish don't chase". While that is a generalization and doesn't explain every possible circumstance or big fish that has ever been caught, his statement is valid. To increase your odds, presentation of the right lures in the right place and manner is key to big fish of all species, and that is the fun of artificials made of wood, plastic, rubber, fur or feathers.




Ed

Your friend is absolutely right! A big and slowly retrieved plug will catch big fish! Jack Frech's most productive/large fish plug was the Banana...A large plug that he fished at a crawl.

[BigFish]

Rule #1: If you are fishing plugs and you are not varying your retrieve speed........stick to bait! I see so many guys tossing plugs and think that ripping them in is the only way to fish them.......my best action comes when working almost any plug slowly!