Why Natural Bait!?!

[sportfishingusa]

I know this is going to be an off the wall comment but why troll natural baits when they make just as good of baits in a rubber/plastic...!?

The only reason i ask this is because over the past year (and this goes for mostly tuna and a few whites) i am experimented with the older calcutta gummy hoo ballyhoo vs/ the naturals..

I have found that i have not had a drastic difference in appearance or in hook ups.. They seem to like both..

I know that tuna do not smell the bait but rather follow the bait balls.... If they will hit a rubber squid why not save time of rigging a natural ballyhoo and go with the fake stuff!?!?

I am ALL FOR natural baits! do not get me wrong.. Just wondering the big difference!! i know now with the circles it might even be a little easier!!

Any questions? comments? Debates?!?

[Randy Stinchcomb]

I've always been told that fake baits are like fake tit's, once you put them in your mouth you'll know the difference and spit them out

[Captain Michael Buffington]

and tuna do use their sense of smell Vinnie. When they are trying to swim up the freakin outflow from the long range boat slammers, the only way they can know there is bait there is by smelling it.

Mike

[sportfishingusa]

and tuna do use their sense of smell Vinnie. When they are trying to swim up the freakin outflow from the long range boat slammers, the only way they can know there is bait there is by smelling it.

Mike

Thats the confirmation i could use!! Thanks mike..

[captcl]

What about those days when they won't eat anything but plastic?(green machine or squid) Or when only a jig will get you hooked up? Is it the look, the action or matching what's on the menu? Interesting IMO. Look at all the stuff you might drag off a bar, and how about the guys that run teasers? No smell there and they get wacked. Cool thread.

[sportfishingusa]

i hope this does bring a lot of discussion from everyone in this topic!

I has been on my mind for a while..

Next trip i am going to troll 8 rods...

4 with all plastic ballys and 4 with all naturals..
I did it a while ago on a boat i worked on and they ate more plastic ballys than the naturals..

[clt_capt]

I've always been told that fake baits are like fake tit's, once you put them in your mouth you'll know the difference and spit them out

I'd be a dead fish quick. Real or fake I ain't gonna spit them out...

[Patudo]

I have to admit I'm wondering why those guys that can't get along with the circle hooks don't try a plastic ballyhoo underneath their Ilander or Express rather than the real thing? It's a fake, therefore you would be able to use the good ole J hook, and from what I gather this rig is fished on a "hook up" drag rather than being fed/freespooled to the fish so the fact that it is not a real bait would not be such a disadvantage?

Appreciate your thoughts

[capt. jakeg]

I've always been told that fake baits are like fake tit's, once you put them in your mouth you'll know the difference and spit them out

I aint never found myself motorboating a rubber ballyhoo. And I'm a motor boating son of a bitch.

[HOLWACHAGOT]

I have to admit I'm wondering why those guys that can't get along with the circle hooks don't try a plastic ballyhoo underneath their Ilander or Express rather than the real thing? It's a fake, therefore you would be able to use the good ole J hook, and from what I gather this rig is fished on a "hook up" drag rather than being fed/freespooled to the fish so the fact that it is not a real bait would not be such a disadvantage?

Appreciate your thoughts

You have a fantastic point Patudo. Your input is greatly appreciated. I would be tempted to try them if I targeted Marlin.

I personally would bet dollars to donuts though that in my area(VA & NC) I would get far fewer tuna bites dragging those behind my witches instead of fresh ballyhoo. I would be the first to never thaw another ballyhoo if they were as effective as the real thing. Somebody please go test em out for me...I am way to set in my ways to do it I'm afraid.
Holwachagot