Big Swimbait

This is my go-to dock bait rigged backwards with an Owner Haymaker hook. Give it some slack as it hits the water and it will gide under the dock. You can do the same with laydowns.

Depending on water clarity, I do this as well using a mono or copoly leader. But in a lot of my East Texas lakes, the water is so dark I throw straight 832 Camo in 20#. I don't horse them so I don't bend any hooks.

I love mine. I left a section open for big swimbait hooks I left in the package. A Brother label maker is perfect for the empty boxes.

In an email from The Hook Up this morning, pricing on Daiwa reels go up and rods go down 1/1/26.

I only have the swimbait reel and it has been flawless all year. Big baits are tough on reels and I have had zero issues.

I received a big coupon and bought one. I have beat it to death on some private lakes without issues. I love it and bought another one. No backlash issues so far.

Megabass Karashi Big TRD on a Z-Man Power Finesse Ned Head Toad Thumper Swamper Frog in Bad Gill Hag's Hurricane Bladed Jig w/Spunk Shad Trailer (has replaced the high $ stuff) 5 in Senko in GP/Chartreuse Tail Honorable mention because I only fished this one, spectacular outing recently. Z-Man Fuzzy TRD on a free rig. On a 1/8 oz weight, this bait will float up about 4-6 inches if you give it some slack line.

Great BFS baits - especially that bladed jig!

Just like the Senko, that's why they work so well. A very unfortunate trade-off...

The 2.8 floating had been money on a Ned Rig this year. Just for fun I tried it on a Free Rig. I dropped it in some pretty clear water to see what it did. I was shocked that when I reeled it down to the weight and then gave it slack line, it would float up about 6-8 inches until the resistance was too much. It got hammered using this technique. I have some of the Z-Man fuzzy baits on the way and can't wait to try them on this rig as well.

With a big coupon offer and a free set of fishing pliers, I took a chance on the new Kastking MG Ti reel. I was more than surprised at how light and how well this reel performed. I had the brakes set in about 3 casts and never backlashed the rest of the trip. I was fishing a private lake known for numbers and bigs. In 3 days I caught over 40 bass on a wacky rigged Senko (most of them dinks because they enforce catch and release) but had probably 10 of those that tested the drag. It was incredibly smooth. Only time will tell on the durability but it will be the first reel I pick up until then.

It may be all in my head, but when I switched to straight 832 Camo, I did not see any reduction in bites and/or catches. Of course the water color in Texas differs from most.

Dobyns Fury, Daiwa Tatula XT, Shimano SLX are a few.

It is a little better but not much. The soft plastic is what makes it a great bait, but durability is an issue.

Bait Finesse Empire has a few. Quick shipping and great customer service. https://baitfinesseempire.com/product-category/lures/wire-baits/

My most productive way to rig them is with the Dangleberry Rig - an EWG with a sliding weight on the hook. It gives the bait an exagerated movement. Unfortunately it is not made anymore and I only have a few left. Someone said that a JDM company is making a sliding weight that you can add to your hook of choice. I need to find them LOL.

Afew that are in my rotation: Xzone Whiplash Shad Deps Sakamata Shad ($$$ and always out of stock) OSP Dolive Stick

The 3.5" is money on a Ned head.

Another vote for The Hookup Tackle & Copperstate Tackle.

This was on my first cast using a 3/8 oz 6/0 shakey head.

Thanks to all!

As I near 70, I am downsizing to a jon boat for ponds and private lake fishing. What seats would you recommend for maximum comfort?

Full disclosure - I own TOO much high end gear. I say that because on a whim, I bought the Kastking Deadbolt reel for $120. This reel has no drag. I put it on my frog rod and fell in love with it. Now I have one on my flippin'/punch rig. Going on 2 years now & they have been flawless.

Agreed. Gave my 2 away.

Good info !I have been making my own with torn-up Senkos and adding a bit of Bait Fuel.