Pencils...easier than live bait?

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by likwid

Nah, Darters are easier.
Cast Retrieve
Cast Retrieve

Eben is proof of this.

I give darters little pauses and change speed and also pump the rod. Darters are not easy. Needlefish are another story

[Mike P]

Pencils are easy on days when all you have to do is hit the water to raise a fish.

They're also easy to hook fish on--landing them is another story. They're second only to darters in giving the hooks a bad purchase in a fish's mouth.

They're also hook-straighteners if a fish gets everything just right.

[Slipknot]

why did it take you several seasons to figure this out?

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

why did it take you several seasons to figure this out?

Well, I don't know really. Been listening to the plugophiles talk about how easy bait is until I really thought about it. I was just bored yesterday.

[numbskull]

Plugs vs bait? Bah humbug. The real test of a good fisherman is who can catch fish without a cellphone.

[MAKAI]

Indubitably

[Slipknot]

that's good Mike, your brain is a muscle that needs excercise also

I think it's good to try to be proficient at several ways to catch fish. It's not as much fun just doing it one way, and that goes for surf or boat. I don't think it is always one way is easier than others. At times a swimmer will be easier to catch on than a pencil, different circumstances and bait available has an effect on it.

I just go fish and try to figure out what they want and how they want it. Of course there has to be fish around, but even that doesn't mean you'll get them to bite.