Big-O

You are on the money Muddy, been there done that and lost my T-shirt along with the fish. Tried vice press and aluminum inserts to avoid abrasion with better results. Lot of work though. Wow, we go to great lengths just to hold those big slimy critters, "Aint They Beautiful"? Steve www.ragetail.com

BFM, you are on the right track thinking tube in place of jig as an alternate. I would just keep size, color and weight similar as you were successful with on with jig and it will closely represent the same presentation at a much cheaper price. This bait is much easier to maneuver the rocks without hanging as bad. Good fishing www.ragetail.com

I agree and use the Gammy superline hook now and it is definitely better than the others but it too has failed at the gap, just not as often. Wayne P's idea about snelling is good, cause that would alleviate the problem as well. thanks www.ragetail.com

Go with it Harshman, www.ragetail.com

You can be successful with the right jig in any depth of water at any time. It's the type of jig, the structure and presentation that makes the difference. But first in all cases, "there must be fish there" Keep looking, you'll find 'em. Good fishing www.ragetail.com

Appreciate your responses and pls let me know how you like the different designs etc. I don't sell anything, only design them. Good Fishing www.ragetail.com

Try this Fish Girl, go deeper, go earlier, go later or at night. Normal fish patterns. Good fishing www.ragetail.com

Your results in one day of fishing depends largely on luck. Your average results in many days of fishing depends largely on skill. With this said, it supplies the information and understanding of why some anglers consistantly fair better than others when fishing the same water with the same baits. As luck would have it, even the lesser experienced can outperform a Pro on any given day. Some say, "I'd rather be lucky than good any day". Well I'm the opposite, 'I'd rather be good than lucky any day". With excellent skills, your opportunity for luck is substantially increased because you are continuously putting yourself in a position to be successful. This is the reason that I rarely say Good Luck but moreover Good Fishing. As your skills and experience improve so shall your luck. Good fishing www.ragetail.com

Could have been the swivel and/or in a small creek the fish can bunch up on one pc of structure. He could have been fishing that one piece. Also an experienced angler can pick those spots out and find the presentation that the fish prefer, pretty quickly. Keep going with him and pay close attention to every detail. This will provide you with valuable knowledge as well as help you to understand the why's and where's in bass fishing. Tyrius was trying to help you get at the same info. Obviously, he is experienced in this area too. "No majic, only really good tricks" www.ragetail.com

You are well on your way friend and getting some excellent advice to boot. So gather up your gear and your new found knowledge and go fishing. www.ragetail.com

This is the knot that I use with braid with best results and use Tungsten and normally 3/8 or better. Have had it beat on the double palomar and frey it badly pretty quick. Thanks www.ragetail.com

I use a 5/0 to 6/0 EWG wide gap hook and it rights itself immediately in the case it lands on it's back on cast. Let me know how it works for you. Might ck to see if packaging caused one of the feet to be out on position slightly. If this is the case, can reform in hot water or in an oven on it's back at 170 degree for a few minutes. www.ragetail.com

Welcome to the group www.ragetail.com

I'd move South. Couldn't take the pressure. www.ragetail.com

Your a good fellow Hawg Fan, and you are right, it's a good group of folks here. www.ragetail.com

Hey Finatic, sounds like tying a few extra knots ahead is gonna be the answer. Thanks www.ragetail.com

Thats a good idea Steve, using the mono as a keeper. Still don't like the thought of having to do that though. On the Reaction Inno hook, would be nice if it was a worm style hook withe J offset below the eye. If it was, I would own a bunch of'em. www.ragetail.com

With braids getting smaller and fish getting bigger, this problem is more prevalent than ever. Too many times when using braid and setting the hook, the line pulls out of the small gap between eye and hook shank. Have lost many fish because of this not to mention the rig which nowadays if using top of the line products like Tungsten weights etc.,can be a headache and expensive to say the least. Fished for 45 yrs and know every knot in the book and and nothing short of glue will keep the knot from sometimes sliding into the gap when a fish has the bait jumbled up in his mouth. Also the crimping method leaves a small divot in the end next to the gap and unless you ck it often, it will hold the knot in the divot right next to the gap. I now have to crimp each of my hooks individually prior to use. Is there anyone else who have noticed this, or am I just too picky? If they could just close the gap www.ragetail.com

Years ago, a buddy and I were Fishing Toho in a hurricane, I flipped into a brush pile, got slammed and missed him. No sooner had I got the jig up to the boat and I was lifting the rod to flip back into the brush when the fish jumped at least a foot out of the water and grabbed the jig. Was a decent fish so I tripped the free spool to keep from breaking the rod and I got a a barn burner backlash. Lost the fish cause he broke the line and my buddy chuckled and said "Wow, that looks like a Don King Hair Doo" www.ragetail.com

x2 with FBL. They are going to the fiesta this time of year. Early - top and fluke'em. Then to faster subsurface for mid morning. And now it's time to get Jiggy with it. "Ohhh Yeah Baby" It's show time. www.ragetail.com

I agree with all who say that rattles are good in off color (cloudy) water or night. And not absolutely necessary other times. Many look at it like they do colors, early, late, dark and stained water (rattle). Brighter daytime hours, clearer conditions, no rattle. There are those who will say that lighter sounding rattle in normal conditions are preferred but I don't hold to that. Now there's alot of rattling info. for ya. It is nice to hear a big jig fish in your grip, thrashing around at night with a Big- O rattle chatter'in. www.ragetail.com

Thanks Finatic, I kinda lik'em myself www.ragetail.com

If it's a small fish - DINK If it's a bigger fish - HOOOOP ! If it's the real deal - Ohhh BABY !!!!!!!!!!!! www.ragetail.com

I think that the answer is "whichever frog that is allowed the time for the fish to load up on it", considering it has the right hook, the right line, the right rod and the right hook set behind it. Beyond that jibberish, I think all of todays frog baits have there right place and time. www.ragetail.com

Don't sight fish that much anymore BFM but I tend to agree with Jake, Senko or Zero ought to get it done. Back when, I used a straight 6" worm with a nail weight just behind the hook and a 3/0 narrow gap hook. Best color for me was electric blue, (purple with blue flake) The fall was parallel. They smoked it. www.ragetail.com