A-Jay

Oh Boy - @LrgmouthShad What about the SK Hybrid Hunter ? Comes in a 'shallow' and Jr. versions as well. I played around with all of them this summer. Caught a few fish too. Easily The Shallowest Running, FULL size crankbait I've ever fished. In some situations it was actually running TOO shallow if you can believe that. The Rattle version is a Loud. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Hybrid_Hunter_Crankbait/descpage-SKHH.html Sort of a funky looking bait and I'm pretty sure SK copied that bill design from 6th Sense fishing's baits that were out a few years back. Either way it sounds like what you're looking for. btw - for LMB, I'd stay with the full size bait linked above. A-Jay

Back in the home gym for Workout Day 2. The extra off day had me ready to go. Knocked this one out with no complaints. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

Congrats on one a heck of a productive and no doubt, prolific season. Here's to an even better one next year. Nicely Done. A-Jay

Some how I missed this on my initial read of this thread. Seems you're disappointed that you are losing baits on SNAGS ? Nowhere does it mention that you've lost any BIG fish because of your treble hook selection. I get it, but getting snagged is Operator error almost every time. While it happens, there are several ways to mitigate that deal or at the very least, reduce them quite a bit. Perhaps stop fishing expensive baits "blindly". Use something that will come through the cover first, while at the same time telling you what's down there if you're not sure. And if you want or need to fish around or close to hard cover with a $$$ bait, become a better caster. Blaming the hooks is looking at the symptoms and not the problem. Clearly there's a bait going into a place it's not designed to go. Perhaps Fix that first before you go down the hook rabbit hole. I with @Team9nine Bending hooks back into shape is a big fish loss waiting to happen. Just replace it. Finally, as I mentioned about, I use EWG trebles exclusively. Every Plus size SMB posted on this site the last several years, that ate a hard bait, had at least one EWG treble in it's face as it slid into my net. Just Saying Good Luck. A-Jay

That Gamakatsu short shank Magic eye is also a REALLY good choice. It's a little thinner gage and might even have a tad better hook point. Important part is seems just as stout as the Mustad offering. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_EWG_Treble_Short_Shank_Magic_Eye_6pk/descpage-GET.html PSA- I would NOT recommend making a Bulk hook purchase of trebles on E-Bay. Despite what might be described - it's NEVER the same as the original, and usually quite inferior. Don't ask me how I know. A-Jay

Handgun for my wife ~ I guess either one of these ~ A-Jay

Thank you very much @Dwight Hottle The school of hard knocks teaches some very valuable lessons. Almost as much as men like you. A-Jay

I haven’t tried them all, am currently using and feel good about recommending, Mustad KVD 1X strong 2x short triple grip, Gamakatsu Short Shank Magic Eye and Owner Short Shank ST-35’s; all EWG of course. Owner Hyper wire split rings are also a must need part of the upgrade IMO. Also there's this . . . https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/241684-treble-hook-replacement-~-one-man’s-theory-application/ A-Jay

Well, it's been a fishing season for the ages for me. In many different ways. Definitely did not get out on the water as much as in previous years and tried to make the best of the opportunities I was given. There were a few fish caught, some pretty decent one's too. While still hunting big smallies, highlights included: Several 5 lb class fish, two that went over 6 lbs, and my 2nd ever 7 lb mutant smallmouth bass. I was lucky to see many beautiful sunsets and sunrises, throw in some plus size pike, one freak of a musky, and that pretty much took care of it. As for productive presentations, it was another year dominated by Jerkbaits & Jackhammers. First season throwing the Megabass 110 in Shrimp and I can say quite confidently, that it will not be my last ! On the polar opposite end of the spectrum, I'm still trying to figure out how to get the most out on the Jackhammer Mini Max - This what some of my 2024 fishing season looked like . . . . . https://youtu.be/V3OYj82bUXQ?feature=shared Fish Hard Stay Safe & warm my friends. A-Jay

Busted out Workout Day 1. Felt pretty good. Taking two days off. My schedule demands it. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

I'll effectively fish a rattle bait in just about every manner mentioned already in this thread. My PB LMB ate a 3/4 oz Red Eye Shad on a stop & go retrieve. Despite the effectiveness of that deal, my absolute FAVORITE way to fish a rattle bait is Like a Blade Bait. Need a clean-ish bottom. Meaning very limited soft *and or hard cover; especially wood./ I'll fish around cover just not in it. With just very little pumps of the rods and then a tight line back to the bottom. In the right conditions I will be netting SMB ALL DAY. Not really a secret but if you're having success with a blade bait, this is totally worth a try. Bait of choice for me is the Duo Realis G-Fix Vibration Tungsten Lipless Crankbait https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Duo_Realis_G-Fix_Vibration_Tungsten_Lipless_Crankbait/descpage-DUOGFXL.html A-Jay

It's all fun & games until you start getting those AARP pamphlets in the mail. A-Jay

Purchased and installed the new Tune up kit last week on the HS1332 ~ Unless you really like to shovel, (and I do not) It's money well spent. #purrslikeakitten A-Jay

Hasn't been much of a 'winter' up this way so far. Warm air temps and nothing close to measurable snow. But living in 'the snow belt' our average first snow is usually somewhere around mid-October. Forecast is straighten out though . . . . Here we go . . . A-Jay

The Duo Realis G-Fix Vibration Tungsten Lipless Crankbait has shown up in the productive baits thread for several years running. At 3/4 oz it's very thin (compact) casts like a ROCKET, gets deep fast and stays there. Comes in several wildly effective colors and patterns. Don't buy any. 😎 A-Jay

To start, I fish the 3/8 oz. and the ½ oz. almost exclusively. Reserving the few 3/4 oz. baits for casting into a heavy wind. These baits are so versatile and yet unique, they can be fished on just about any thing you’d like to throw it on. Is one type “Better” than another? Who Knows? I use what I like and what I have confidence it – that goes for all my fishing and I’d encourage that mind set to anyone & everyone who is willing to listen. What one angler uses and even has success with, may not be right for another. So use what you like. Here's what I like – I totally prefer moderate action rods for single hook moving baits. (And many treble hook baits for that matter). And well before I settled on the ones mentioned below, I was like many anglers in that I was totally unsure what to use or what I would prefer. So after ‘reading’ and watching too many videos, I just went ahead and purchased and then fished a graphite (St Croix), 100 % Glass (Lamiglas) & a Composite stick (Quantum). Needed to be able to compare them- side by side. Only way I could expect to answer the question. As for the gear (rods Specifically) the way I fish a vibrating jig or chatterbait usually determines what blank material I favor. Glass rods are just a no - go for me in any chatterbait application. They work, but there are so many trade off, it's not worth it for me. When I fish the bait early/late season, low & slow - very much like a jig, I use a graphite jig rod. - 7'1" MH/F The bites are coming when the bait is barely crawling along the bottom or even stopped completely. Very much like a jig, so for me the graphite's superior sensitivity wins this one. After that it's composite all the way, all day everyday. When I'm fishing a chatterbait in a more traditional horizontal moving fashion, Composite stick excel in every category for me. Long casting, effective hook setting and fish landing properties. I use 15 lb FC line on every chatterbait application where I am hunting plus size brown bass here. Final note, IMO, ripping a bait out of grass, which we all know gets bites, is a different deal depending on the blank material. (and line type) IME, and because I fish in clear water and can easily see my bait, snapping a bait up & out of soft cover with graphite, although easier I suppose, launches the bait forward a much greater distance than with a Composite stick. How much depends on a few things but it can be a significant difference and one that might change the number of bites I get in a day. A bait caught in the grass with a fish looking right at it, suddenly moves or jumps out and starts to 'get away'. Now if the bait moves say a foot or 18 inches, the bass can often make up that ground in a flash. Boom - fish on. But if the bait rockets forward 4 or 5 feet, the bass might not even see it or realize it's moved. It's just gone; vanished. And by then I've resumed my retrieve and the fish is left 10 feet back wondering what the heck just happened. Something to think about and perhaps try out for yourself. You might be surprised at the difference. A-Jay

Nope ~ I'm sticking with Prevent and Impossible on this one. A-Jay

Look at the diagrams on the package. Prevents knot slide which might damage the connection knot . A-Jay

LOL ~ Don't tell anyone. Quik-Mart is my go to. btw- the pictured baits are 'just for display' I'm not actually allowed to reveal my entire collection as it has been deemed 'too dangerous', by the bait monkey. A-Jay

I can totally see the convenience of a snap. However what I'm not a fan of, is that the few times I have used clips, it's almost like the clip itself prevents me from re-tying the connection knot. So I end up fishing that connection knot, cast after cast, fish after fish; meaning WAY longer than I normally would. When I HAVE to re-tie to change lures or after a few plus size fish. I have had clips open up on me but I will admit it's a super rare occurrence. Happens with the same frequency as having a treble hook split ring stretch out or even fail. SO I don't consider clip failure as a problem, but old, worn and or frayed connection knots lose fish, especially big fish with FC line or leader. So, I am all about re-tying to that oval split ring whenever I feel the urge. Yup, I might have a problem. 🤓 A-May

I fish a jerkbait now and then, even some Vision 110's. For the line tie ~ I do not do clips or ROUND split rings, on anything. I will forever be an OVAL split ring guy. A-Jay

Workout Day 5 today. I was motivated by the Spartan #borninfiftynine A-Jay

Hello Michael and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ Hope you can be feeling better soon. A-Jay

Not since 1934 I think. I'm not really a fan of the team but I do have MAD RESPECT for that fan base. A-Jay

Not me. Unless it's the Pats, I love it when the road team wins. Of course the networks probably prefer it the other way. A dead quite crowd after the first half is probably not a ratings booster. Btw, The Detroit Lions are looking good again. A-Jay