Live Bait

[bfishn]

And the one thing that never... ever... crossed my mind while waiting for that bite was the hint of bitterness about some unseen poachers or giggers, or someone keeping a fish that I wanted to catch.

If you haven't lately, try soaking some bait... you might remember that you actually like fishing.

[Quillback]

Always enjoyed fishing bait for sturgeon on the Columbia river, usually smelt or sand shrimp for bait. You get that tap-tap on the rod tip, could be a 2 foot sturgeon or an 8 footer. The thrill of anticipation of what might be on the other end.

[bfishn]

8 ft sturgeon have been on my bucket list for years, but I imagine I'll have to settle for the ~4 ft fish a little closer to home.

[Fishslayer88]

I have been known to fish live bait a time or two I love lip hooking river shiners and drifting them through brush piles, I originally used just a regular 2/0 j hook but I have moved to octopus hooks set up with a Stinger ( tired of missing them pesky smallmouth) JK i have caught up with the times and use circles with live bait. Got ya good Smalliebigs : ) There are very few fish i don't eat but smallmouth are one of them, If i wanna eat fish I will kill some catfish or bluegill.

[Mitch f]

And the one thing that never... ever... crossed my mind while waiting for that bite was the hint of bitterness about some unseen poachers or giggers.:

Good for you, If we are bitter because we are trying to better the resource, I guess I'm guilty.

[bfishn]

Someone once told me there are 2 things you can do about any problem; worry or take action. A reasonable man can rule out worry, you get no result and an ulcer for your trouble. Action is the right coice... well, there's actually three choices. It may prove impossible for your best effort to succeed. In that case, and only after you gave it your best shot, you're allowed to say F IT. At that point there's no longer a problem.

I worked thru this a long time ago. There's something about bass that brings out the worst in a lot of us. I got sick and tired of being sick and tired about something I had formerly loved. Rather than quit fishing, I just quit fishing for bass, (breaking the advice I'd been given by skipping the action step). It was ultimately the right choice. The only fishing-related worry I have now involves dead batteries and no wind. I can live with that.

Most of all, I just like to see all my bros happy and havin' a good time doin' what they love..

[Ffer]

Great couple of days on an unnamed river, using an unnamed bait. Just my brother and me trout fishing (legally), one 20" two 18"s three or four 16"s and another 30 or so down from there. Missed a lot by setting hook too early, not wanting to gut hook any. Did have to cut one line, rest were caught at the lips.