You sound to me like a fair and straight up kind of guy.
Although I will never back down on my defense of live bait, I know that I get a little jumpy sometimes when defending it. I don't have too many "hot buttons"..... but this is one of them.

And Rob, I think that your "vote" is fair enough. Actually, I am surprised to see that live bait has gotten a 1/3 vote so far..... especially when you consider that fewer than 1/3 probably use live bait on a regular basis.

The biggest problem for me, is that "way too many people" base their oppinions of live bait on heresay and propoganda, rather than actual on the water experience. If only everybody would first give live bait a fair shake, the "vote" would certainly have a far different outcome. Since that is unlikely anytime soon, I think live bait will continue to be unfairly judged.

By the way, as of yesterday, I have now caught the same number of double digit bass on artificials as I have on live bait..... and hooked a 13 which would have been the tie breaker, but she came unbuttoned :-( You couldn't make me use a live dad right now on Rancho :-) ..... but only because they are not the best choice for the circumstances.

Great fishing to all of you guys no matter what you throw at them !

Peace,
Fish Chris