Sorry guys, but im a sucker when it comes to beating a dead horse.

I know about the issue of catchability of Fla LMB. I have also heard from some that have Fla LMB that the use of live bait greatly reduces this problem. I would like to hear from others that have Fla lmb, and their opinion of lmb on live bait. As the time comes closer for me to pick the bass for my new pond the idea for 5-6lb "catchable" bass is growing on me over the idea of 10+lb fish that are "uncatchable", trained, resistant, or whatever you wanna call it.

I accept the idea that Fla lmb of all sizes are more weary of what they eat, and the bigger any bass is, the pickier it becomes.

I have never used live bait for LMB but have no problem with it, if the fish will bite. Those of you that have, would you be will to let us in on your secrets.

So, does the use of live bait for Fla lmb, in your experience yield enough catches per trip to the pond. I am looking for 1-3 fish per hour (only fish over 12in. qualify), with some nice BG catches thrown in. Does this sound possible with fla bass and live bait. Or in a pond thats half F1 half Fla.

Thanks, Jake.

What about some of all 3 - Flas , Nort and F-1s ?

That is most likely what I will use, Im just asking sort of a "what if" question.

jakeb,

I don't have much experience with FLA LMB, but I'd guess that 1-3 catches per hour with live bait is doable.

I use live bait and artificals in both freshwater and saltwater. Throwing artificals is more "sporty," but live bait almost always outfishes lures. The exception is when you have a lucky day and get into a lot of fish that are feeding heavily. On those days, you can throw anything and there isn't much difference between live bait and artificals.

For LMB and CCs, I've used shad, bluegill, yoy LMB, and shiners for bait. All have worked well.

Tying on a lure is easier than catching live bait and keeping it alive, but they both work. My guess is that you'd have higher catch rates for FL LMB with live bait.

Guys and gals that fish live bait and worms are weenies .....
... ... .... :o... ... : ... :whistle...

OOPS ... I feel a moderation a brewing ....

Using live bait (big shiners) for large Fla LMB is very common with Fla guides.

OK for guides or fishery pros - they don't produce - they don't eat...

Yup...just call me a fish-catchin weenie!

In my humble and unseasoned opinion, they both have their place. If I'm looking to eat or aggressively cull, I've been known to use live bait. The vast majority of the time, I use artificials. It's all about your goals...

When the Florida "big bass boom" started about 20 years ago, everybody was using 8+ inch shiners.

Know why Bass Tournaments don't allow live bait? It ain't fair. Just too durn effective.

And it is boring ...
I enjoy the C-H-A-L-L-E-N-G-E ...

I am both a worm and a weenie.

Live bait all the way!!!!!!!!!

While I agree with george that there is more of a 'challenge' with lures or flies, I have no interest in that challenge. I know I can catch fish with a lure or a fly, but I am not interested in that.

I find my sampling of my pond to be more effective using live bait being shiners or fatheads.

This year, I'm going to live-line some bluegills or smaller lmb or YP and see how that goes.

And it is boring ...
I enjoy the C-H-A-L-L-E-N-G-E ... Well said, Mr. panty hose pellet fly man.

I've only tried live minnows once on my pond. I used shiners of some sort. they were about 2-3 inches. I caught a bunch of HBG a catfish and a small LMB. I finally switched to artificials and started catching a lot more LMB. Artificial lures outfished the live minnows by quite a bit when targeting LMB.

For variety I guess they work pretty good. I pretty much caught every kind of fish in the pond while using minnows.

Smaller minnows (FH or Shiners) will enable the smaller fish obviously, but it's odd how you can still catch a big fish on a 1.5" minnow.

There is a laziness aspect to be considered. You know, having a free hand(s) for a beer and a smoke.

Cecil says that's OK .... since it's artificial ...

For Fla or native LMB, I like to use artificial, and if they're not biting, I fall back to minnows or small BG. Live always works best. Having said that, I have a much better strike-to-landed ratio with artificial. I lose 25-35% with live bait and only 10-15% with artificial. I guess I need to be more patient with live and count to 3 before setting the hook.

Why is it ..... that when you're not in a "fish-cleaning" mood they are always biting like crazy ................ but you want fresh fish for dinner......not the least bit hungry.

Ya know......I would pay another $5/bag if Aquamax 600 would stay on my hook!

I supposedly have 3 large female Florida bass in my pond. Have caught just one of them and that was on a 10" plastic worm. A number of times, I have experienced very large fish take a BG I'm reeling in for a quick & bumpy ride before the mystery fish releases it.

Fishing small bodies of water with live bait is acceptable, but two words of caution. First, don't use bait you do not want established in your waterbody. If you do not want shiners, use bream species already present. Largemouth Bass don't always catch their prey, but they may knock it off the hook. Secondly, be sure to not allow the bass to swallow the shiner, or whatever bait you use, as hooking mortality increases exponentially with live bait use on LMB's. I also recommend using circle hooks with live bait for LMB as apposed to the traditional long shanked shiner hooks. This helps reduce gut hooking. Gut hooking also holds true for plastic worms and bed fishing.

Good luck and have fun!

Thanks S Brown, where do you prefer to hook the BG/Shiner? Any other secrets such as line test hook size etc? Anyone can answer BTW

Thanks all

As far as where to hook the BG/shiner, it depends on what style you are presenting the bait. Under a float, I like to hook it directly behind the dorsal fin most of the time and occasionally through the meat just in front of the tail. If I fish the bait on a jig of free lining it, I like to hook it through the lips. If I am fishing it off the bottom I usually hook it through the meat in front of the tail most of the time and sometime through the lips.

As far as line test, hook size, etc... Much of that depends on the location you are fishing and the expected size fish you are hoping to catch. If I am fishing areas with a lot of structure or weeds and there is a high risk of the fishing getting into that and breaking off I increase line test. I am a a big of braided super line with a 4-6 foot leader of florocarbon. Hook size is really dependent on bait size... But if you're using big GSH or BG for bait, 2/0 or even 4/0 is reasonable.

My preferred method for FL LMB fishing down south when using live bait is the balloon rig method. Using large GSH, you can work pockets in the weed cover of your pond or lake. Depend on water depth, I like the GSH about half way off the bottom. So tie the blown up balloon with a slip knot. just below that, I tie the braided line to a swivel. To the other end of the swivel I tie to leader of florocarbon. I then tie on a 2/0 to 4/0 circle hook. I then hook the GSH just behind the dorsal fin. Pretty simple set up... Toss the large GSH into the pocket and hang on!

OK, I concede but don’t surrender the concept of “sport fishing” vs. meat fishing, but totally agree with Jake on using live bait (BG) on “hard to catch” Florida LMB, but have followed his posts long enough to know that he is capable of catching his trophy LMB whatever his method.
Plugs, lures, flies only adds to the versatility of catching these wily creatures.

CJBS2003, if you got caught using that balloon rig with live bait on Lake Fork or some of our other big bass lakes around here – you would get lynched ...

That is a common guide method in Fla.

I'm a fast draw and an expert shot... I'd like to see 'em try!

WOW .... with those credentials I'm sure you would be welcome with open "arms" ...

But are you carrying? That's the real question.

Don't leave home without it! I've ticked off too many criminals in my career not to...

Sorry about hi-jack Jake ...

No worries guys, I enjoy the banter. Carry on