Whether you reach for a deadbait or a lure when targeting predators seems almost like a matter of personal faith. In this article we try to look at the question from both sides, weighing up all the pros and cons of deadbait fishing and lure fishing — so you can make up your own mind.
Deadbait: Advantages and Disadvantages
Deadbait has one big advantage: it draws predators in through its strong natural scent — particularly during the colder months. In most lakes, very large pike, zander and perch patrol slowly through their territories. If you have enough time on the bank, the chances are good that a predator will eventually snap up the deadbait.
Tip:
Although using native baitfish is generally recommended, I've consistently had better results with oily sea fish — anchovies and mackerel, for example, are outstanding deadbaits for pike fishing.
One crucial point with deadbait fishing is a quick strike, so the predator doesn't swallow the hook too deeply. I used to fish with deadbait a great deal, and the method is genuinely productive when you know the structure of the water well — it means you know exactly where to place the bait.
Disadvantages of using deadbait include:
- Live baitfish are not permitted in Germany, to prevent the animal from suffering pain or distress (§ 17 Tierschutzgesetz)
- Greater effort involved, as baitfish must first be caught or brought along frozen
- Deadbait really only makes sense when you intend to keep the fish — catch and release is much harder to practise with this method
Personally, I've largely stopped fishing with deadbait because I rarely keep fish these days, and catch and release is often not possible with this approach. On top of that, all my personal bests — pike, perch and zander — have come on lures. That said, everyone should be clear about the main purpose of their fishing sessions: if you enjoy taking home a decent fish now and then, deadbait fishing is certainly a very rewarding option.
Lures: Advantages and Disadvantages
Spinners, spoons, plugs, curly tail grubs or soft lures — to name just a few: the enormous range of lures available gives every angler the ability to get among fish in almost any conditions. The key is choosing the right lure for the conditions at hand.
Lure fishing gives me huge flexibility — I can work a lot of spots and drop-offs quickly and feel every last take straight away. That direct sense of contact with the fish is one of the main reasons I spend so much time on the water, which makes lure fishing for predators my absolute favourite style of angling. There's the added bonus that predators are usually hooked cleanly, making it straightforward to return them safely.
It's also practical that lures are a one-off purchase and, barring a break-off, can be used time and again.
Lure fishing does have its drawbacks, though:
- Lures are not made from natural materials and must be disposed of accordingly — if they're left in the water, they can have an impact on the environment
- Unlike live bait or natural prey fish, they have no movement of their own
- The scent can be unpleasant depending on the manufacturer — it may be worth getting them scented
I'll cover the techniques and materials involved in lure fishing in a separate article.
Summary
For me, lures have become firmly established over the past few years to the point where I no longer use deadbait at all. That said, depending on where you fish and what your goals are, deadbait can still produce excellent results. Lures simply give me more flexibility.
Until next time — tightlines!
