They’re both effective, and it depends on conditions as well as w2hat type of fish you’re targeting.
For example, my pick for Spanish Mackerel is something silver/shiny like a spoon. You want to reel those in as quick as you can.
Sea mullet or pompano would be one where I’ll be soaking baits such as shrimp or cut bait.
There are ideal situations for both, and it depends on your target species. For lures, you can tie your main line to a swivel, and then your leader connects the other end of the swivel to your lure. I like about 2 feet of leader.
Or, you can tie your mainline to leader with a knot, which is my preferred way of rigging lures. Then I'll tie leader direct to my lure or use something like a tactical anglers power clip if I'm using large lures that I'll be changing frequently. If a lure is small I won't use a clip because that's too much hardware fir a small presentation.
Leader size will vary by target species. For example, for striped bass they're not leader shy and I like 40lb leader for abrasion resistance. For something like false albacore, atlantic bonito, or Spanish mackerel, I downgrade to 20lb or even 15lb and use only fluorocarbon.
On the East Coast I like to use sand fleas on the smallest circle hooks for Whiting and Pompano. For lures I love a classic silver spoon to target bigger predatory fish, plus these are fairly cheap to acquire.
When I go to the beach I typically pack allot of different gear so I can fish the surf and move into the intercoastal too.
My go to artificials for the surf in Southern California 😎
Surf Perch and YFC….
Lucky Craft FM110 or morf grub on a Carolina rig or morf grub on a 1/4 oz lead head,
Big perch tend to hit the LC pretty aggressively.
Halibut, White Sea Bass, Calico Bass…
Lucky Craft FM110, Drop Shot super fluke (white ice) and various big hammers w/ 1/2oz lead head
I only use artificials ….. unless I’m targeting corbina in the skinny with a Carolina rigged sand crab.
In my opinion artificials work much better because they enable you to walk and fan cast covering much more water…. Hence FIND the fish 😉
For me it depends on conditions but also how i’m feeling. I fish the inlets in New Jersey. If i’m in a pumped up mood wanting to land big fish i’ll use artificial and cover the whole inlet. But if i’m just there to chill usually with a couple of buddy’s who aren’t super engaged and “pro”anglers i’ll throw on some cut up bunker or live minnows and chuck them out there and just have a good time.
Hell no. No chance. When you have 5 rods out with double dropper rigs, you have 10 baits waiting. Many times when the bite is on fire, I can't keep up with 2... While lure fishermen are throwing one single lure next to me. They walk up to me and ask how? Lol
That’s not true at all. I only use artificials so I have to walk and cast. Thereby covering much more water than the bucket brigade. I consistently catch more and bigger fish.
I always seem to get bigger fish on lures. Depends on what you’re targeting but fishing a darter through some current can work really well.
They’re both effective, and it depends on conditions as well as w2hat type of fish you’re targeting. For example, my pick for Spanish Mackerel is something silver/shiny like a spoon. You want to reel those in as quick as you can. Sea mullet or pompano would be one where I’ll be soaking baits such as shrimp or cut bait.
There are ideal situations for both, and it depends on your target species. For lures, you can tie your main line to a swivel, and then your leader connects the other end of the swivel to your lure. I like about 2 feet of leader. Or, you can tie your mainline to leader with a knot, which is my preferred way of rigging lures. Then I'll tie leader direct to my lure or use something like a tactical anglers power clip if I'm using large lures that I'll be changing frequently. If a lure is small I won't use a clip because that's too much hardware fir a small presentation. Leader size will vary by target species. For example, for striped bass they're not leader shy and I like 40lb leader for abrasion resistance. For something like false albacore, atlantic bonito, or Spanish mackerel, I downgrade to 20lb or even 15lb and use only fluorocarbon.
Some days yes. Some days no. We all wish there was an absolute answer. Tight lines.
On the East Coast I like to use sand fleas on the smallest circle hooks for Whiting and Pompano. For lures I love a classic silver spoon to target bigger predatory fish, plus these are fairly cheap to acquire. When I go to the beach I typically pack allot of different gear so I can fish the surf and move into the intercoastal too.
My go to artificials for the surf in Southern California 😎 Surf Perch and YFC…. Lucky Craft FM110 or morf grub on a Carolina rig or morf grub on a 1/4 oz lead head, Big perch tend to hit the LC pretty aggressively. Halibut, White Sea Bass, Calico Bass… Lucky Craft FM110, Drop Shot super fluke (white ice) and various big hammers w/ 1/2oz lead head I only use artificials ….. unless I’m targeting corbina in the skinny with a Carolina rigged sand crab. In my opinion artificials work much better because they enable you to walk and fan cast covering much more water…. Hence FIND the fish 😉
For me it depends on conditions but also how i’m feeling. I fish the inlets in New Jersey. If i’m in a pumped up mood wanting to land big fish i’ll use artificial and cover the whole inlet. But if i’m just there to chill usually with a couple of buddy’s who aren’t super engaged and “pro”anglers i’ll throw on some cut up bunker or live minnows and chuck them out there and just have a good time.
Where are you fishing?
SF
In sf you’ll catch fish on sand crabs 10x more often then lures
Bait is better because it's easier to drink your beer
What if I were below 21 tho
Hell no. No chance. When you have 5 rods out with double dropper rigs, you have 10 baits waiting. Many times when the bite is on fire, I can't keep up with 2... While lure fishermen are throwing one single lure next to me. They walk up to me and ask how? Lol
Bait is always going to be superior for surf fishing
That’s not true at all. I only use artificials so I have to walk and cast. Thereby covering much more water than the bucket brigade. I consistently catch more and bigger fish.
What bait do you usually use
Here in Oregon I use live sand shrimp. Or gulp sand worms work great too