annexation

I'll throw a havoc pit boss practically anywhere if it's t-rigged with a small bullet weight, especially the stuff you're describing. Skin hook it an go!

On the descent, a reverse rigged ika will drift away from you on slack line, which makes it ace for getting up under cover like docks and what have you.

My dad got a new boat and in celebration, we hammered the bass on one of our local lakes. Well, I hammered the bass. He put the hurt on the bowfin instead. After trying a number of lures and depths, what ended up working for me was a green pumpkin pit boss t-rigged (I think the bullet was 3/16) thrown in the thickest weeds we could find in 3-5 feet of water. They would just ambush it. It was on 15 lb. fluorocarbon, which I think bought me some bites I might not have got otherwise. I'm not just saying that for fun - my dad was using a similar setup but was throwing on straight braid and he didn't get bit. Anyway, it would have been a limit for me if it were keeper season. Here's my best three - 20", 18", and 17". The 20" was only 3.4 on the scale, which surprised me. Could have swore he was heavier.

A screw lock couldn't hurt, especially if they're just tearing up at the nose. But honestly, it's been my experience that ikas fall apart pretty quick, sometimes before I even get bit. This is especially true in the thick stuff.

I think soft plastic just has the right texture or feel to it that bass don't spit it out often, so I'm not convinced scent makes much a difference there. I catch fish regularly with scented and unscented plastics. I've used Megastrike many a time and couldn't tell you whether it saved the day or not. The hard days are just hard no matter what the bait smells or tastes like. I do subscribe to the idea of it helping the fish hold on to hard baits longer, though - most notably jigs. I apply Megastrike liberally to the entire head of every jig I put in the water. Again, I'm never certain that it makes a difference, but I feel that it does.

I'll join the Pit Boss express. Choo choo! I never leave home without them, no matter the conditions.

I thought I was in the majority, preferring 1/4 oz. for swim jigs, but this thread has convinced me otherwise. I like that I can fish them slower at this size, generally.

Does this one count?

Well what the hell. Have to keep an eye on it until it reverts back.

Thanks for the prompt notice! Eager to hit the water now with all my gear.

Hit the water, guy! http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/154932-michigan-bass-season-is-now-open/

This is a great opportunity for us Michigan anglers! Not that it does anything about the ice, though.

I use them one size up - Super Jr. size - and they do draw a lot of strikes! I feel more confident throwing them in the sun than any other color spook. I've heard of guys swapping the front treble out for something in red, to give the fish a target to zero in on. I've tried it myself and it doesn't seem to make much difference, but hey, couldn't hurt.

That looks like a fun time - I want one!

Big fan of Super Flukes and D-Shads, here. Super Flukes because they're cheap and everywhere, and D-Shads because they cast super far rigged weightless. Both catch fish like mad.

True! It also kinda demonstrates how some people need to adjust their monitor settings.

Some Havoc Pit Bosses, 4/0 EWGs, and 1/8 oz. bullet weights. At least, that's what I'm restocking this year.

I fish them until they won't stay on the hook anymore. When I have enough ripped up baits, I melt them down and pour them into either my senko mold or my ika mold. The ika bodies are cool, because they make a nice, meaty, and basic body upon which you can attach appendages and such - fluke tails, pit boss flappers, you name it. It'd probably be easier to pick up some Mend It, but I love making new plastic out of old.

Michigan guy here - senkos, fat ikas, and pit bosses work year round for me. With their powers combined, they are my triumvirate of bass slaying plastic.

I like to bite the tail off and use them as a trailer on small finesse jigs. Deadly little package.

Seems like it would be easier to keep your plastic suspended in a horizontal manner with a dropshot than hanging it on a lead head.

My favorite finesse craw is the Huddleston huddle bug - it's a very lifelike craw, and makes a nice and compact jig trailer if you bite the tail off. I like fishing them texas, though. Bigger than that, I have a lot of fun fishing Rage Craws!

They're great - they cast a mile weightless and fish can't stand to let them go by. One of my shallow-water favorites! I prefer rigging mine through the backside instead of the nose.

This is a cool idea - skirt your senko with leftover tubes. Awesome!

You pretty much nailed it with "an Ika out of spare parts". I also would have accepted "a poor man's Salty Core Tube". I will drink a beer tonight and pretend it was from you!