Plastic vs live ?

[Yaker]

I fish plastic,and cranks for crappie exclusively,but I see more folks around me using minnows.I have been tempted to toss a few minnows,but honestly,overall I do as well if not better than the minnow drowners.
With today's plastics looking and moving like minnows or crayfish,I really can't see the benefit in dealing with live bait,am I alone in thinking this?

[RetiredRR]

Nope. I forgot how to put a minnow in a hook a long time ago. Nothing but plastics and cranks for me from now on. Your just as normal as me..

[Eagle 1]

Nope. I forgot how to put a minnow in a hook a long time ago. Nothing but plastics and cranks for me from now on. Your just as normal as me..

The longer you are on this site the wider your scope will be . I have got out of the spider rigging business but refuse to not have an ultra-lite with several dozen 1/32 or smaller jigs to cast for them along with jigging . Also another rig with a float/fly set up . Although I liked spider rigging it now is a distant 4th way I care to fish . Throw in two fly rods and chasing red ear , I decided I could not do it all . (even chase white humpbacks and black bass on a regular schedule ) .

[Zippy]

I'm all artificial, even in 33 degree water and mid winter. The most I will do is keep a jar of power bait honey worms in my case when the fishing gets really slow. They look like meal worms but are rubbery like an artificial and I thread them on a jig hook just like plastics. I agree I do as well or better than the live bait users and never have to take the time or money to get the minnows. I also have an odd habit of not wanting to take a life for my own entertainment. To catch and eat something I have no problem but to put something alive on a hook so that I can catch a fish that I will later release seems like a waste of a life even if it is just a little minnow. I know that's weird, just a feeling I have always had. Funny thing I feel no judgement on anyone, even a fishing buddy on my boat who uses live bait.

[CrappiePappy]

I can see having minnows, at times, making a difference ... but, I agree that minnows are a hassle to deal with, in comparison to artificials.

Some of the spider riggers around here are prone to using minnows almost all the time ... either on a jighead or jighead/plastics. I've done it, myself, on hook/sinker rigs, plain jigheads, & jighead/plastics ... but never bothered to test minnows against a plain jig/plastics at the same time. But, when I'm casting ... it's always with a jighead/plastics or some artificial lure.

... cp

[shipahoy41]

I can see having minnows, at times, making a difference ... but, I agree that minnows are a hassle to deal with, in comparison to artificials.

it's always with a jighead/plastics or some artificial lure.

... cp

I agree Pappy. That is why over 90% of the time I am using and making soft plastic that imitates baitfish or creatures. Tip these with a crappie nibble rolled in some garlic and you are in business. No dead minnows that you have to throw away. No minnows to take back to the house and hope they survive until your next outing....and you have a better color selection than just a plain minnow and crappies love pink, chartreuse and flo glo colors.

[DockShootinJack]

Bought two pounds and stocked the minnow tank at the beginning of fall. I only fished with 3 dozen. They girlfriend used a few dozen when we went. I want stock it again next fall. I do as well or better on artificials. Hard to dock shoot with a minnow also. Ha

[genec]

I ONLY USE JIGS BUT ONCE IN A WHILE I THINK MY JIG ON THE HOOK DIED,LOL

[Tn Johnboy]

I refuse to use minners

[lowe175]

If you can catch them on minnows I can catch them on a jig better. I've not had any 100+ days with minnows but I do it a lot with jigs and like jack said you can't shoot docks with a minnow.