Bucktailing vs Dragging Bait - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

ladyangler · #1 07-13-2010, 09:56 PM

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.

RussH · #2 07-13-2010, 09:58 PM

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 · #3 07-13-2010, 10:09 PM

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 · #4 07-13-2010, 11:16 PM

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 · #5 07-13-2010, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · #6 07-14-2010, 12:19 AM

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 · #7 07-14-2010, 12:38 AM

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

SeaOx23 · #8 07-14-2010, 01:54 AM

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 · #9 07-14-2010, 02:13 AM

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

Blackfish Doug · #10 07-14-2010, 05:14 AM

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.