Mike L

For jig or any bottom contact presentations the cover and structure will dictate what I use. For light to moderate conditions 12#-16# Sniper. For moderate to heavy 20# Shooter. For the heaviest 50#-80# braid. So yes, 50# braid could work fine. Could be somewhat overkill for your needs but no real reason not to at least try it and see what you think. Mike

Congratulations! I wish you much success!! Mike

Hello and Welcome!! Mike

It’s the way I rig and use it as a top water and as a swim worm. I’m referring to the point of the cut in the tail end which gives it the action. When rigged with the point down used on top, it tends to spit water as you reel. When pointed sideways it allows the body to move also when used as a swim worm. As was said there is no wrong way, these are mine Mike

Absolutely! You won’t regret it in the least. Mike

I get it But you get what you pay for Mike

That’s a clinic folks on how and where to use shiners down here!’ It’s been awhile but I usually either hook the dorsal for more open water and nose hook when throwing near mat’s but never used the anal hook. Next time I’m gonna try your way Great tip! Mike

I’m also the other way around Ii’s just that’s what I have the most confidence and experience doing. I’ll throw a jerk or trap once in a while but everything has to set up perfectly for it. The last year I qualified for the BFL Regional Championship I was totally out of my element as my 2 boaters we’re having success on shear bluffs with deep diving cranks and jigs while I had to rethink everything. Did ok but felt totally lost the entire time. Mike

Starting in late November to around mid April I actively look for bedding bass. In the mostly tannic water of Okeechobee which I frequent more than any other lake, it can be challenging to say the least, but can be done if you know your waters. For me sight fishing for bedding females is the most intense, challenging and rewarding of all techniques. No lying needed Overall to answer the OP’s question, I also agree that pre spawn is the most consistent because it’s the most predictable. Some, especially males who are actively guarding beds can be the easiest, but the females are the most challenging because they have to be coached into biting. Getting them to commit at all takes patience, persistence and commitment. Most would rather use that time to locate transition areas where they can be moving in and out for weeks and not be as finicky. The trick is combining all that factors into knowing when they move in, when and how aggressively they feed, and where they position before, during and after they spawn. Spending an inordinate amount of time to catch one fish isn’t for everybody as is always discussed on here this time of the year. Mike

For me, Both of these posts are classic examples of how to do it In especially tannic shallow waters. Of course there are times when different more aggressive presentations could be successful…. But what @Mobasser explained, the “short, slow hop” and “always try to focus on not moving my bait too far” is the key for the most long term success when using a bottom contact t rig. @Catt with his most famous one liner “Movement without movement” when mastered, can make all the difference regardless of conditions or what you have tied on. Mike

I’ve only posted pictures of each PB as it happens. The last time was 5 yrs ago. Mike

Sure!! When I fish on top it’s weightless of course rigged with the cut pointed down. This gives the maximum displacement and action when skimming. When swimming I use a 5/0 Trokar hook with either an unpegged or pegged 3/16 weight on either 20# Shooter or 40# braid with the point rigged sideways. I swim it with a steady retrieve killing it periodically and dropping down every hole or open area in and through submerged (ideally) or topped out grass. The thing about the Magnum Speed Worm rigged this way the action is not just from the tail. The bottom 1/3 will sashay back and forth while the tail is doin it’s thing. To me that’s what makes it the most deadly of all cut tail swim worms. Mike

Scum Frog or Spook on top Magnum UV Speed Worm in the middle Rage Bug on the bottom Been like that for a while Mike

Excellent! Did you stay in Toho both days or lock through?? Mike

I don’t live in a cave, I get it It’s just sad that being courteous, polite and friendly to folks is being replaced with cynicism and distrust of most everyone. Mike

Yep Thats me! ?

Another point could be made is that at times I will add a skirt to a so called stand alone t rig. In doing so it gives me a quasi jig but has the advantage of quick changes in colors, style and the ability to experiment with bulk on the fly depending on what plastic is tied on and where I’m throwing it. It’s something I do a lot with success but doesn’t seem to get talked about much. Mike I never tried any different size of the Bug. Good point. Mike

Rage Bug or Sweet Beaver for punching. Rage Craw, Rage Menace or standard sized Brush Hog mostly as a stand alone t rig. Mike

Flouro for everything except punching and frogging and on top Mike

*Give 25% to St Jude Research Hospital *Go on a ‘round the world cruise *Stay at Cesars Palace in Vegas for a month with a million dollar marker *Buy a cabin in the Great Smoky Mtns. *Open a marina somewhere with access to Lake Okeechobee *Split the rest among my family and close friends. Mike

About every year or so when it gets low on each of the 6 combos I use the most, which all have it. And it’s not because of unexplained break offs or constant knot failures Mike

I Love that lake just don’t fish it enough. Very underrated. The end near Dead Lake has been the place to go for years! Mike

The year I won the BFL Gator Division Championship, the first day of competition my boater pulled up to an area on the east side of Okeechobee just before they started to release water from a control dam. We both won our respective divisions from that one spot over 2 days. Mike

Super Spook in clear with orange and green accents fir what you describe and a shad Sexy Dog in what you don’t. Mike

Sniper or Shooter on most everything Mike