James RickardLive Bait vs. Lures
July 17th 2007 02:00
Anglers can fall into two categories—those who catch fish and those who try to catch fish. The group who catches can further be divided into a couple of smaller groups—those who favor live bait and those who favor artificial lures.
The main thing you really have to remember about artificial lures is that no one lure is going to be right ALL the time. It may be something as subtle as using the wrong color for the time of day but, not getting bites may mean you need to use another lure all together. OR, not getting bit may be a matter of using the wrong presentation. As you can tell from this paragraph, there’s a lot to consider.
Artificial lures can be very effective when fish are preparing to spawn, in the process of spawning, or right after the spawn when nests are still being guarded. In short, artificials are most effective on aggressive fish.
mourguefile.com
Okay! So you’ve tried all that, tried some “go to” lures and even your Bill Dance autograph lure and nothing is working. Maybe it’s time for the live bait! Live bait is just that—LIVE. It can be many things. Earthworms, night crawlers, minnows, grubs, leeches, or bugs, are just SOME of the live bait you can use. Presented properly, live bait can be one of the most effective tools an angler can use. However, it is at the term effective that problems often begin.
You can pull a dead lifeless worm or minnow through a school of fish and never get touched. But, going through the same school with fresh bait can be a different story! To make a long story short, if the bait you’re using has died, you’re going to be wasting your time if you keep trying to use it. Cut your losses, save the aggravation and throw some new bait! If there’s no wiggle, there’s no appeal!
I know that there’s someone out there right now saying, “What about Yum or LPT????”
LPT means Live Prey Technology and Yum is an scent impregnated artificial bait which is, in some ways, is more convenient that using live bait. I look at things like this—ya gotta walk before you run and you have to learn to use basic stuff before you go for newer equipment! If nothing else, using live bait will help a person develop a greater appreciation of newer bait technology.
Most bait shops anywhere you go, are going to sell good bait. If they don’t, believe me, they’re not going to stay in business very long because it seems like the word gets out if a shop isn’t up to standards.
The problem with live bait often lies in getting it from the store to the fish. It is of paramount importance to present healthy bait to the fish!!!! Bottom feeders like catfish or carp my bite on a dead minnow but, in most cases, you’ll be better off with fresh bait as already stated. However, this point can NOT be stressed too much. When it comes to live bait, you want it healthy, fat, and lively! When you’re at the bait shop or sporting goods store you’re going to see a cheap bait container and one for two or three times as much and you’re probably going to ask why. This is one of the times it’s best not to shrug and pick the cheap one. One of the main things necessary for lively bait is to keep it cool. It will be worth it to shell out a few extra bucks for the foam insulation because it doesn’t matter what the bait is, it WILL perish quickly unless you take some measures to insure its preservation in the hot sun! AND this means more that sticking an old shirt over it or sticking it under the truck seat on the way to your fishing location.
Also, if you’re buying minnows, fork out a few extra bucks, quid, or whatever and get an aerator. This will definitely help keep your bait alive. An example of what they can do—I fished in the evening, had several minnows left over, kept the air going to them, and used them the next day also. It was nice not having to buy bait but, the fish I caught were rewarding too!
Until next time--watch yourself and watch your line!
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Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
When I was younger, I went fishing in a creek with a worm on a hook... The water was so clear that I could see all the little fish come up to the worm and take a bite. I caught nothing.
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
I had no idea fishing was so complex, love those lures, I think you've pinched some of my art for them, they look kinda familiar.
I love the water and have a saying 'I think I was a fish in my previous life', it seems I can learn as a fish as well as a human. I'll now know, when I'm a fish again what to avoid.
Half the fun of fishing is , I think, not catching anything.
katyzzz
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
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Scent??? Science says it does. From a practical stand point--some say it does--I'm still out to lunch. It seems like you get an extra split second because the fish bite and hold on a bit more. AND if you're around fish that home in on the scent you're ahead. If nothing else, the fish's curiosity makes them follow the scent. BUT even when they do that you still have to get them to bite. Some people think it's the next coming of Christ.
As for seeing the little fish, that HAD to be great! Even if you don't get any bites, it's cool watching them!
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
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