Bucktailing vs Dragging Bait

[ladyangler]

From what I've been told MORE big fish and pool winners are caught by those who bucktail rather then those who prefer to drag bait.Without starting a war between bucktailers and bait draggers what are your opinions out there? And does anyone really know the percentage of those who bucktail versus dragging bait.:rolleyes:

[RussH]

The answer is that it depends on condition. Faster drifts with heavier weight, I prefer to drag bait. But slower drift, or conditions where I can use less than 6oz. Then I'm slapping on a bucktail and a teaser and going nuts.

So the answer is, both work. Check the anglers post today. A guy dragging bait outfished everyone else on the boat. Better fishermen will do whatever is necessary to catch. I personally feel most days it will be bucktailing.

Hope that helps.

[Riverbassfishing]

A lot of big fish are caught on bucktails and gulp. But you could also use a bucktail with a big strip. Live baits such as snapper and peanut bunker also work well on the bigger fish. Most days the bucktail is the choice.

[Reelron]

I've done equally bad both ways!

I do enjoy Bucktailing more though. Just seems to make me feel more into it, I guess.

[jmurr711]

I've done equally bad both ways!

I do enjoy Bucktailing more though. Just seems to make me feel more into it, I guess.

im with ron. i like to bucktail as i just feel like its more fun and when i go fluking i go to catch don't really care about keeping, i'm not a fan of eating them. if you want BIG fish but not action fishing live snappers,spots,peanuts,tinker macks, or whole squid may very well get you that 1 bite but you might not get the action you would fishing smaller baits or jigging gulp.

[Scoundrel]

On any given day bucktailing will out-fish bait dragging at least 3-1. I see it every day on my boat with my old man and his buddy going old school dragging bait. They are used to fishing sand bottoms off Barnegat when the fishing and regulations were great.
Fishing the snags and rocks if you are not Tailin, you are losing rigs and not catching.

[frugalfisherman]

I drag bucktails.That way I figure I'm covered.

[SeaOx23]

I fish both and like others have said I have done equally as bad with both. However, I will say ALL my keepers this season have been taken draggin bait so you can take that for what its worth. In the end my opinion is that it comes down to what you are most comfortable with and what the conditions will allow.

[Scoundrel]

JMURR also has it. Live snappers on a very short leader has put some big boys in the box.

[Blackfish Doug]

I fished yesterday in the bay with the bucktails caught a few on them. But yesterday all the keepers were caught on strip baits Sea Robbins. I quickly switched over to the bait & got a keeper. Some times you have to pay attention to what's working for the day. This is why most Fluke fisherman bring 2 rods. This year is a bit different with the bait vs bucktailing is 50/50. Also with the snappers looming that's my choice for those bigger fluke. I know quite a bit of big fish are caught that way every year.

[SNAPS]

Really can't add much more to what has already been posted, key is to be prepared to switch from bucktailing to bait, which means you will be taking at least 2 setups 1 for bait preferable conventional and 1 lighter setup for bucktailing preferably spinning.

[GDubya07]

It all depends on conditions and what the fishies are in the mood for
I personally bucktail - but if bait is working I will start draggin da meat

I do whatever is working that day/week/drift

G-:cool:

[Red]

JMURR also has it. Live snappers on a very short leader has put some big boys in the box.How short? 12 inches??

[mikeytheflop]

Good post. Everyone has the flavor of it and its the name of the game - conditions, conditions, conditions...

I have been in weather where 12 oz's was floating, and caught big fish with 16oz/short leader/live bait (I prefer herring).

I do prefer to fish as light as possible and prefer bucktailing - seems as if I am coaxing in the fish and that its an art form to do this well...

;)

[sportfishingusa]

herring for fluke? like whole herring? wow never heard of that, sounds cool!

[rat"BASS"tard]

Good post. Everyone has the flavor of it and its the name of the game - conditions, conditions, conditions...

I have been in weather where 12 oz's was floating, and caught big fish with 16oz/short leader/live bait (I prefer herring).

I do prefer to fish as light as possible and prefer bucktailing - seems as if I am coaxing in the fish and that its an art form to do this well...

;)

Herring lol they dont work !!!!!! ("snicker")

[Flukeguy]

Always bucktail if I have an option,some guys just wont try the bucktailing,they will only drag bait

[Ol Pedro]

I have done both and I feel that it's all about the conditions . I'm not confortable with fishing the jigs heavier than 2 0z . I think that the fluke can feel that there's something wrong and spit the bigger jigs . Where draggin bait is a better presentation when you need 6 or more oz's to hold bottom . Knowing when your bit is more important than what you are throwing/dragging . Sunday Afternoon most of the keepers were caught draggin bait . Squid/Spearing combo platter , Snapper Blues , and some Gulp fish . It's sort of like Plastic worms vs. Nightcrawlers . They both catch their share but the meat catches more small fish .

[vinntastic]

im with ron. i like to bucktail as i just feel like its more fun and when i go fluking i go to catch don't really care about keeping, i'm not a fan of eating them. if you want BIG fish but not action fishing live snappers,spots,peanuts,tinker macks, or whole squid may very well get you that 1 bite but you might not get the action you would fishing smaller baits or jigging gulp.
YOU EAT EEL AND NOT FLUKE:eek: :p WUTTTTTTTT

[vinntastic]

Really can't add much more to what has already been posted, key is to be prepared to switch from bucktailing to bait, which means you will be taking at least 2 setups 1 for bait preferable conventional and 1 lighter setup for bucktailing preferably spinning.
TOTALLY AGREE 2 POLES MANDATORY..

[jmurr711]

YOU EAT EEL AND NOT FLUKE:eek: :p WUTTTTTTTT
yep not a big fan to bland lol i go out and ask the mates to collect me all the robins and skates then cook the fluke for my family.

now in regards to fishing the snappers i've always done best with a 18inch leader on a fishfinder or egg sinker rig.5/0 octopus up through the lips. also works well with spots,tinker macks,peanuts,mullet, and bergalls( they work well around the rough stuff)

[Bigbass38]

Russ H ,has the right answer. Depends on the conditions.

[technologist]

A good fisherman can catch them either way...... Just watch the better fisherman, they catch more fish no matter what they use for bait!

[BigD]

In my boat it's both. One rod gets dragged while in it's holder, I bucktail the other...

[Fish The Drop Off]

Always bucktail if I have an option,some guys just wont try the bucktailing,they will only drag bait


When your on the boat the Bucktail wins LOL LOL.

[shrimpman steve]

I started bucktailing three years ago and much prefer it over dragging bait. I love the hit on the bucktail. However there are times that you just can't bounce those suckers because of wind, tide. I will drag bait when needed.