What would give you a better chance at a fifty?

[DZ]

My preference would be to use plugs as my largest fish have all fallen to plugs. Using them is my favorite method by far.

As for the question of which method would give you a BETTER CHANCE at landing the 50?

Assuming everything is equal, you’re on a beach, and the bass in question are willingly taking both artificials and eels - I’d have to say eels and my reason is this – single hook versus treble. You have a much better shot at landing a huge fish with a single hook be it attached to an eel or plug. Big bass have the uncanny ability to play treble hooks against each other gain leverage and straighten them causing a lost hookup. Not many plugs come with a single hook (with the exception of the original stubby needles which was originally designed with a single hook for the exactly this reason – to land more bass). Large bass hookup-to-land ratio is much better with a single hook.

DZ

[Slingah]

from my own personal stand point I would have to say live bait (eels)...even if just for the confidence factor ....

[Goose]

aaaahhh is this what winter is for.

1. Where do fifty's spend most of there time? Close to the bottom.
2. Why, that's where the food is and the water conditions suit them.
3. Fifty's don't eat appetizers all day they eat meals.
4. What do their meals consist of? Lobster, crab, fluke, tog, scup seabass, pogies, eels ect.. Whole or not they are piece of sea fresh meat.
5. Bait is whole or pieces of fresh sea meat

They've been caught on fly's lures probably appetizer size lures but doesn't change the fact bait is better, lures satisfy the angler and if thats what floats your boat then you never have to touch another peice of bait again.