Why do you fish artificial lures over live bait?

[bassmansk]

I agree with coondog it's the challenge. To get a bass to look at and hit a artificial is a challenage and to find the right color. It's a game against yourself to find the right color and what they what (worm,lizard,CB,Sb,etc.) Then the game is to kept the action all day.For those of us that have or do play golf you are always trying to do better. Up the score with your fishing buddies.

 

[BackOnTheWater]

I've said it before and I'll say it again...live bait is for kids and cheaters

.</p>

Seriously, though...fool 'em don't feed 'em...that's MY motto.</p>

Live bait is a sit-and-wait game in my opinion. Fun from the bank, but boring from the boat. Using artificials to catch bass requires at least some set of skills, and something with which to constantly challenge yourself.</p>

 

[Guest]

I'm like Spur in that live bait is a pain. You either have to buy it or catch it. Buying it is out for me because I start out fishing early and none of the bait stores are open when I like to go. Catching it is a pain because throwing the net might land you in freezing water. Ain't that right Eric? Then whether you buy or catch your bait there is the keeping them alive pain.
Come to think of it skipjack is better than either.
emoBigsmile

 

[BassERT]

Well. I have caught plenty of 10 lb class fish and over up to my PB 15 lb all on artificials.
What a thrill and a feeling of accomplishment!

I used to go to the "Stick Marsh" in Fl which was considered a place to boat a trophy(guaranteed 15 lb in its heyday). I also remember "Rodmans Pool" and other sites for trophies.
People would pay guides major $$ for the experience of watching balloons with 1-2 pond shiners at the hook get eaten by trophy and not-so-trophy size bass and mudfish.

The day my wife caught her big bass, we had guide boats literally surrounding us. All were fishing shiners.
She hooked her giant off the back of the boat and got it in and ALL the boats around us cheered and clapped.

Her face said it all for me and the other fisherman there as she held up her spinnerbait hawg.

 

[smokinbasser]

IMO using live bait is feeding the fish. I would put money on it that even GWB could feed fish. I am not a meat fisherman but mostly C&R and I would rather fool the fish than feed them. Plus as was pointed out earlier I have too much invested in artificial lures to not use them, I probably have another bass boats value in gear.

 

[sprestwood]

I thought that live bait out fished artificials 2.86722 to 1. The slow presentations softplastics are often scented, there is not much time to smell a fast cranked lure. Many fish hunt by sound and sight because food does not want to stick around long enough to be smelled.

 

[Buoy-Master]

 Love that last line!!!