soft plastics verses live bait

[CALVINIST]

Over the past year I have caught some nice eyes on soft plastics. 5" Kalins and the Lindy Munchies have worked best, usually in cast/retrieve situations in shallow water. My confidence in soft plastics has gone up considerably. Has anyone had good luck on plastics in deeper water 10-25' jigging them like you would a livebait tipped jig? In your opinion, is this just as effective?

[PerchJerker]

I like plastics best for shallow water, it's easier to fish them there and the fish are generally more aggressive fish. But at times I've used plastics in deeper water, usually a 3" or 4" powerbait twister tail on a jig in 2 situations - after locating schools of biters with jig and minnow, or when pitching up against a weedline and ripping the jig through the weeds.

I'd say in deeper water livebait will usually be more effective.

[MedicineMan]

I've had very good luck using plastics in deeper water. 1/4oz or 1/8oz Mimic Minnow, 3" Power Grubs, and 4" Power Worms have been my go to plastics. Ninety percent of the time I've been able to out fish those who use live bait out in my boat.

[walleye74]

I have not touched live bait yet this year!! I have gained a lot of confidence in the soft plastics the last couple years. The majority has been in relativly shallow water, but have had some success on the deeper (18-25)breaks also. It is amazing how much differance a color change will do for you also!!

[eyepatrol]

Unfortunately, I haven't caught a fish on plastics yet this year; not even a bass or pike. BUT, I'm not giving up! I just got that feeling, when I do get one, it's gonna be big!

[fishinaddict]

I usually fish from shore and use minnows. Today I stuck with the plastics, Sassy Shad, and caught plenty. I usually catch a few more on minnows, but one day I was using a pink and white marbou crappie jig and caught 15, 12-16"er in an hour and half. Not bad for shore fishin

[Team Otter]

Plastics in deep water on river systems can be especially dynamite in the fall.

[Winona Ice]

I fish soft plastics most of the time anywhere from 1-40 feet. They work great on the mississippi all year long. I have also used them a lot on lake of the woods with great success. When fishing deeper water i find it is more effective to either cast or troll the plastics. I don't really like vertical jigging with plastic. I also like to use large plastics, like 7 inch lizards or 5 inch ringworms.

ICE

[walleyeaddict]

I have had success in 1 to 30 feet of water but nothing outfishes live bait if it is the right bait!!