My opinion is: I like it.
Here's a few. Most returned. I fish artificials too, but why would you not fish large gizzard shad???

This thread has some serious eye candy! All nice!

It's sporting in my eyes if you're using a rod & reel. Have had some very productive days on bait where other boats nearby (can you say stones throw away?) were NOT catching them on the bait I gave them. Rigging & setting your baits is part of the 'sport'. If you don't set your rigs out correctly, you won't catch fish (or at least not near as many!)

Just use circle hooks & the released fish will generally do just as well as when they're caught on lures. Also - and this is my opinion here, nothing more - use heavier outfits to land the fish quickly in the summer. 20-30# line on sturdy baitcasters. If you can get that hybrid into the boat quickly before it's worn out, it'll survive release in the heat much better.

Wow, I'm telling ya! Makes me jealous! Wish I knew how to catch hybrid like that...

+1 catching the right bait and keeping them frisky to catch Big Fish is so much more involved than buying a lure and tying it on...shad for bait is a process to learn and keep..from throwing the cast net to water temp..to correct water conditioning..where to drop the bait to structure..etc. if you cant bait fish you have some learning to do about fishing..more importantly catching..cant even believe this is even being asked/questioned?

+1

Fisherman Dan,

You must have been near me recently at Lake Lewisville. I admit those 30+ Hybrid days have been easy recently, but using circle hooks has been very effective. Last time out I only had one floater out of 35+ Hybrids to 11 lbs with the water temp at 80 degrees.

Don and others, sorry if I embarass you on occasion when you come near my boat...I will try and slow down the hookups and release the fish quietly when you are nearby. If you are really upset just come in close with your trolling motor and I will pass you over some live bait!

All kidding aside, I spend as much time catching and keeping the bait alive than I do fishing...and I enjoy that just as much. It takes a lot of time to get to where you will get good bait every time out and consistently get into the Hybrids on every trip out.

Any pics of that 11 pounder??

Brian hit the nail on the head. Consistently finding bait can be chore. I'm to the point where I can find GOOD bait about 90% of the time. However, when I have one of those 10% days I always try to learn from it.

What he said.

Sorry dude but thats just funny!! So I guess you truney fish with artificaials because its much easyer? NO because you would get skunked by live bait fisherman. When fish have lock jaw and want hit artificaials they will hit live bait. Proven fact!! I live bait fished for 15 years and the funny part is my biggest 18 lb tawakoni striper was caught and a 4 inch sassy shad.

I guess I wasn't clear. I bait fish because it ups the chance of success. I learned how to jump through all the hoops bait fishing requires because it ups the chance of success. Finding, catching, and keeping bait is harder than opening a tackle box and tying on a lure.

My biggest striper was caught on Falcon in 1980 on a Hopkins spoon.

This one come on a rattle trap.

And, this one on a fluke.

Well there was not a furry? of results..and it was not opinions..its is a proven technique to catch Hybrid/Striper..you go to Arkansas..all Guides have a shad facility at their house..and most go out-of-state to catch them .. because of the water clarity makes them basically impossible to catch..DAVID & DAN yall sure our missing out on some fun..I understand it is quite abit more effort atleast do it for the non-sportman in your boat..all these replies it is you and one other( who thinks it is a problem to even take a fish)who think the same way..Personally I fish artificials most of the time..but when I bring anyone (young or old)along..I want them to have the time of their life..and I want them to have the best chance to land a fish that will stick in their memory forever..Once again I still can't believe this techinque is even being questioned..well looks to me like it has been answered.

I with you now!!