Here you will find many of the questions and comments that I hear about live bait fishing and my business, Greggofish Guide Service. You will also find my answers. I have bass fished with lures most of my life and still do on occasion. I enjoy fishing tournaments and fish several each year. I have a lot of experience with both lures and bait and can provide a unique perspective on both types of fishing. The following information will hopefully shed some light on what I do and put the people that do not understand it, at ease. I am only speaking to what we do, not the general public.
Using live bait is too easy, it's cheating!
I have heard this more than anything else. I use Threadfin Shad and this type of live bait is the hardest of any to keep alive and in good shape. In my experience, using lures is a lot easier. You just get there and start fishing. I have to locate the bait, catch the bait, keep it very healthy all day, find the fish, lift heavy (60lbs. a piece) anchors all day, etc... I am a lot more tired at the end of a day using bait than I have ever been using lures. As far as the cheating comment, I never understood that. Cheating what? cheating who? We are out having fun, making a living, following all of the NCWRC regulations. The only thing I am cheating is bad luck, heavily pressured spots and post frontal conditions.
Live bait fisherman keep everything they catch don't they?
The answer is, this live bait fisherman does not. I have never kept a Largemouth Bass and have never had a client keep one either. Not one. That being said, I do not have a "no keep" policy. Everybody is subject to the rules set forth by the NCWRC. We abide by all of those rules and expect all clients on board to do the same. If I discourage someone from keeping fish and they decide they want to anyway, so be it. However, I would not be inclined to book another trip with them. I rely on the fish in the lake to support my business. Taking them out does nothing but affect me negatively.
Using live bait results in more fish being killed due to swallowing the hook.
As far as I myself and my business goes, this is a huge misconception. We primarily use circle hooks. When using regular hooks, we set the hook fast enough that most are not deep hooked. When they are, we use this method to dislodge the hook very quickly and safely with no damage. The fact is, using lures results in far more dead and maimed fish. Carolina rigs are usually always swallowed and crankbaits result in fish being blind in one eye. The number of half blind fish I have caught is very high. Being one that loves to crankbait fish, I have seen how the damage occurs first hand.
I am going to watch where you fish and mark those areas on a map. I am not going to move off a spot when I see you on the lake.
I have actually heard variations of this on two occasions. I fish community holes. If I have a spot I want to keep secret, you would never know about it. I expect that as more people experience the satisfaction of live bait fishing, the spots I fish will be more crowded. That is allright, I know a lot of spots and the fish move around a lot anyway. As far as moving, I would never expect anyone to move because of me. This is one of the things I hear that sounds the most ridiculous to me. I have never been that kind of person or angler. Respect me and I will respect you, that is all I look for.
Doesn't catching as many fish as you do hurt the overall fishing on the lake?
In my opinion, absolutley not. We have caught the same fish several times in the same day. Fish eat shad. Getting pulled to the surface and immediately released does not affect their desire to hit a lure the next day. To me, it is just another excuse someone uses when they don't do to well catching fish.
If you have a questions about me, my business or the Shearon Harris Lake fishery, send me your comment below and I will give you an honest, straightforward answer. If I think it would help others, I will include it in this section.
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