Your views on livebaiting ?

[Down-the-drain]

Hi I've been spinning for pike lately with no success whatsoever. I was talking to my dad and he said by far the best way of catching pike is to use livebait. He used to catch loads years ago on live roach hooked up to two sets of trebles.

Is livebaiting illegal now ? Do any of you use live bait and how does it compare to dead bait or spinning / plugging ?

[fishypaul]

Originally Posted by Down-the-drain

I was talking to my dad and he said by far the best way of catching pike is to use livebait. He used to catch loads years ago on live roach hooked up to two sets of trebles.

Is livebaiting illegal now ? Do any of you use live bait and how does it compare to dead bait or spinning / plugging ?

i am in the same boat as your dad,i always live baited for pike,if i couldn't get livebait a herring or sprat would suffice but was regarded as a poor substitute,

times have changed,livebaiting although not illegal is frowned upon in many circles and regarded as cruel
i have got used to dead baiting,my club have banned livebait so i have no choice,strangely enough when i do fish a venue that does allow me to livebait i don't,

[Greenheart]

I'm afraid i'm still of the old school on this issue....

[Fishing Forum Admin]

I think that in some case you just cannot beat live baiting but its always a last choice

[dave fish]

personaly id go for dead baiting everytime ,live bait may have the edge over dead bait but as a keen roach catcher i dont think watching one squerm on a treble hook is a good thing to watch,also why kill one fish to catch another shouldnt we look after them all?

[BoldBear]

I have no qualms about using a livebait if I suspect that it is the best method at the time; as long as it is allowed on the water; however I wouldn't use Roach of over about 5 or 6oz.
But there are a few ways to impart life into deadbaits first such as using 'sink & draw' or wobbled baits before having to resort to livebaiting, and which enable you to cover much more water at the same time.
I have had good days using all of the above, plus static deadbaits and each have their days on different waters and at different times of the year.

Have you used the soft lures when you were lure fishing? some of them are brilliant and can produce takes from Pike when they are ignoring the traditional plugs.

BB

[Down-the-drain]

Originally Posted by BoldBear

I have no qualms about using a livebait if I suspect that it is the best method at the time; as long as it is allowed on the water; however I wouldn't use Roach of over about 5 or 6oz.
But there are a few ways to impart life into deadbaits first such as using 'sink & draw' or wobbled baits before having to resort to livebaiting, and which enable you to cover much more water at the same time.
I have had good days using all of the above, plus static deadbaits and each have their days on different waters and at different times of the year.

Have you used the soft lures when you were lure fishing? some of them are brilliant and can produce takes from Pike when they are ignoring the traditional plugs.

BB

Hi , can you tell me a little more on techniques i.e "wobble" "sink and draw" and the "lift" method , cheers.

[Harvey]

I tend to use dead baits as i find on my lakes it`s near impossible to catch anything for live baiting in the colder weather

[pak mei]

I have no problem with live baiting at all and regularly did it as a kid however since returning to pike fishing later in life I find I can no longer do it. I went fishing for pike this winter while my mate sat beside me fishing for bait but every fish he handed me was so beautiful I just couldn't stick a hook in it. any suggestions on where to find ugly fish

[BoldBear]

Originally Posted by Down-the-drain

Hi , can you tell me a little more on techniques i.e "wobble" "sink and draw" and the "lift" method , cheers.

Sink and Draw method or wobbling:
It's when you cast a deadbait and retrieve by winding (when the bait will come towards you, but also rise in the water) and then stop winding (when it will flutter back to the bottom). Usually you're trying to imitate a wounded fish. Vary the speed of retrieve and impart an erratic movement.
You mount the deadbait with a slight kink so that it wobbles and spins.

It is a deadly method at times even when deadbaits lying on the bottom are being totally ignored.
One or two swivels and a small anti-kink vane are usually necessary above the trace to stop the reel line from twisting after several hours.

Tight lines
BB