live-baiting

[fishypaul]

What are your views on live-baiting,
i have used them for donkeys years but the waters i fish at present bans it.
after 2 or 3 years of dead-baiting and lure fishing i dont think i want to use them any more.
the idea of being cruel to any fish just doesnt appeal to me any more.

what do you think ?

[Norfolkboy]

I wouldn't use them, but they can wrok so much better than deadbaits and lures. I guess it's up to you really...

[Fishing Forum Admin]

I will not use livebait anymore - just not my thing

You can get the results using deadbaits plugs ect

You do get good results from livebait as the fish works the peg

[team fishing]

Livebait rules the roost nothing else comes close.

heres my top 6 :

1:Carp 4-6 inches (mirror,common)
2:Brown Trout up to 1 lb
3:Roach 4-6 inches i love hoaching roach for bait
4:Skimmer Bream up to 1 1/2lb it actually works
5:Goldfish £5 out of pet shop or your mates goldfish bowl
6:Jacks 6-8 inches pulls out big fish

[Old Smoothound]

I'm afraid that i do not condone "livebaiting" anymore.

In our modern times with modern fishing methods and lifelike lures, we do not need to be cruel to catch Pike.

My local Trout reservoir has seen many big double fish in the last few weeks, and 6 x 30lbs plus fish. All came to well worked rubber lures and Sea fish only deadbaits.

So why do we still have to live in the dark ages??

Livebating is banned on many local waters anyway, and thats a good thing as far as i'm concerned.

[Ben]

i personaly dont see what is wrong with it, the pike has to eat and the chanse is the fish you are gonna be using was on its menu anyway

[Old Smoothound]

We all have personal preferences.

My reasons for not choosing to use live bait for Pike are my own based upon the fact that:

1. I do not want to spread infectious diseases from one water to another.

2. I do not want to see cruelty to fish in any shape or form, when it can be easily avoided and that includes all sections of fishing.

3. I do not want my lifelong sport to be villified by the "Anti's" and banned at some future date because idiots continued to fuel their cause.

In my own "code of good fishing practice" live baiting is not on the list....but conservation is.

It does not matter what arguments or comments are put up on this forum....it won't change my "code of pratice".

[Fishin'Widow]

Completely agree with Smoothy. The chance of spreading disease is very significant and the thing that makes fishing a 'sport' is it's lack of cruelty. By restricting the live baits movement you are not supporting the natural balance of hunter and the hunted, it can't outrun or avoid the Pike, your basically putting it on a plate to be slaughtered.

We have always taught our girls to respect and appreciate the fish you catch for the process of the catch that you have enjoyed, cherish the wee moment you have before returning, and return carefully so that you and the fish can meet again one day and enjoy the fight all over again. It's a shame that not everyone feels the same because that wee moment is the best bit!

[Ben]

but surely couldnt a worm spread disease and be considered as cruel?

[kiwimarty]

Now bare with me folks because there is nothing here that Fishin’widow and Old Smoothound have said that I don’t agree with, BUT in the case of sea fishing (yes I know this is a pike fishing thread, bare with me) baits like prawn, crab and sandeel are all used in a live state.

Now my question is this. Are you guys against the use of these live baits too and if your not, please could the difference be explained. I know the cross contamination reason is obvious.

Cheers.

Kiwi.