Jigs VS Live bait

[castingcole]

I went out today to a nearby stream in hope of some panfish (mainly redbreast) and I ended up catching a good amount. Caught some bigger ones on TM and on worms. What iv been doing is using TM to fish when their on bed but today I switched up and used worms as well and that ended up being far more effective. Is there a good way to tell which will be more effective as opposed to just trying different jigs/baits?


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[Spoonminnow]

TM?

This reply is pertinent to FishFishwish's post, It's all about timing.

When it comes to lures vs live bait all I know is that lures cover more water and finding fish - especially fish that are prone to strike - is key. It doesn't matter what bait is used if fish in a location suspend motionless off bottom. Strange though that this year I found over two dozen sunfish that hurry over from different parts of the pond when they see me sit on the dock, knowing that bread in the shape of small balls will be thrown to them. The competition is fierce at times but a few of the older fish just suspend, defending their territory like they would as if they were on spawning beds. Don't know why they even bother coming to the area if all they're going to do is just sit and watch.

Where you fished may be like the above: timing is everything as to what fish will bite when they will bite it. I fished a lake yesterday and did poorly. Of course the 15 mph wind was a major distraction from me trying to get my lures placed exactly near lily pad edges in 7' where fish were biting - the only place I had any hope of catching fish. (Fish weren't shallow near shore.) Went home early after only catching 9 sunfish and one crappie vs 30 fish last week. Others also did poorly and these were experienced anglers.

[castingcole]

TM?

This reply is pertinent to FishFishwish's post, It's all about timing.

When it comes to lures vs live bait all I know is that lures cover more water and finding fish - especially fish that are prone to strike - is key. It doesn't matter what bait is used if fish in a location suspend motionless off bottom. Strange though that this year I found over two dozen sunfish that hurry over from different parts of the pond when they see me sit on the dock, knowing that bread in the shape of small balls will be thrown to them. The competition is fierce at times but a few of the older fish just suspend, defending their territory like they would as if they were on spawning beds. Don't know why they even bother coming to the area if all they're going to do is just sit and watch.

Where you fished may be like the above: timing is everything as to what fish will bite when they will bite it. I fished a lake yesterday and did poorly. Of course the 15 mph wind was a major distraction from me trying to get my lures placed exactly near lily pad edges in 7' where fish were biting - the only place I had any hope of catching fish. (Fish weren't shallow near shore.) Went home early after only catching 9 sunfish and one crappie vs 30 fish last week. Others also did poorly and these were experienced anglers.

TM - Trout Magnet. Thank you! For all the information! The same thing with the fish attacking my bait happened yesterday except I was using worms. I got a couple of good guys on that. I also got a couple sizable ones on the Trout Magnet. Thanks again for all the info!


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