ChrisD46

As the title suggests - what size soft stick bait (senko , dinger , ocho , etc.) do you prefer to use for the Neko Rig ? Interestingly enough I see most of the west coast pros prefer the 4 " stick bait for a Neko Rig - which seemed a bit small to me as I thought a 5" stick bait would have more action using the Neko Rig ? ... Your thoughts and experiences ? Thanks in advance ...

I ask the question because I was in a quandry whether the 4" or 5" in the brands I mentioned would have the best action ? I thought that being an inch longer would allow the 5" to have more action on the fall as well as "popping" it off the bottom to settle back down again would see the ends bend / flutter more ? ... (I could be wrong though) .

For those that have experimented with wacky rig stick baits - do you prefer the 4" or 5" size for wacky rigging (i.e. Yamamoto Senko , Strike King Ocho , Yum Dinger etc.) ? Thanks in advance ...

Besides the length difference , the Trick work has a larger taper / "bulb" at the tail and is slightly more skinny in the tail before the taper / bulb at the end . This gives the Trick worm more action at the end of the tail section than does the Finesse worm which does not have as much action and tends to be more stiff in the over all action . *Although I have plenty of Finesse worms by Zoom - I would save money by buying Trick worms and cut them down to a smaller size from the head as required . Green Pumpkin , Junebug and Watermelon Red will cover most of your needs until you learn more . Trick worm fishing styles : Texas Rig (round bend offset hook 3/0 size weightless or with bullet weight 1/16th oz ~ 1/4 oz.) , Wacky Rigged (1/0 ~ #1 size Gamagatsu Weedless Finesse Hook) and Neko Rigged (1/16th oz. VMC nose weight ,#2 size VMC Neko Hook through a small O-Ring (*Google all styles of Trick worm applications to learn more !)

+1 What J Francho said - anything more and I'd move to an Alabama Rig .

The attractant that gives me the best confidence in using for bass is BANG - Garlic (I have no idea if it has any hi-tech research behind it) ... That leaves Mega Strike and the big $$ research of Berkley Gulp ! Alive as probably being the most scientifically formulated followed by Kick'n Bass ... Pro Cure touts itself as "using all natural ingredients " but not sure about amino acids and other scientifically studied ingredients being part of the make up in Pro Cure ?

Thanks for the replies , right or wrong - I thought of CXX more for flipping / pitching applications or perhaps a C-Rig where I'm encountering more harsh conditions .

Honestly , I have had zero poor experiences with fishing tackle (or anything else) - as a matter of fact , I believe there is more on the line to do customers right due to that glaring seller rating in plain view which in my experience makes these sellers work VERY hard to gain your loyalty and satisfaction !

Specifically looking at that #12 lb. ~ #15 lb. range for 3/8 oz. spinner baits , chatter baits & swim jigs on a bait cast reel . For those who have used both brands - what would be your preference in terms of lowest stretch , manageability and strength / abrasion resistance between the P-Line CXX and the Yo-Zuri Hybrid lines ? ... I will add using KVD line conditioner is fine (I have it on hand) . *P.S. I'm not sure off hand how these two brand's lines compare in diameter in the pound test range in diameter I am interested in . I mention #12 lb. ~ #15 lb. as that would be the pound strength line I normally would throw such lures in reservoirs more associated with rock / gravel than wood / vegetation .. Thanks in advance for your replies !

It could be a confidence thing as well - Megastrike , BANG , Smelly Jelly , Pro Cure , Kick 'N Bass , Gulp ! Alive , etc. all have their place ... More recently I see Pro Cure being used by guides and pros (if that means anything) .

If more competitive with two strokes up front then that should mean even more cost savings versus a two stroke over time !

Perhaps a round reel really shines with large glide baits and heavy line size ?

+1 ... This would cover the majority of conditions / needs .

Nothing wrong with these Zman Finesse Shromz jig heads - stretch your elaztec soft plastics out a few times then soak in warm water for a while then repeat the process . If you wish you , could tape off the hook bend and the jig head and spray with Rustoleum paint for an extra level of anti-rust security ... A whole other topic but the largest Midwest Finesse (Ned) jig head I would use is a 3/32nd oz. with a #1 Owner size hook or 1/10th oz. Zman Finesse Shroomz which I believe is a #2 size hook ( I prefer the Zman 1/20th oz. and 1/15th oz Finesse Shroomz jig head sizes best) . If I made my own : 90% of my builds would be on a 1/16th oz. jig head with a #2 or even a #4 hook . With the exception of the Owner #1 hook , any hook size larger or jig head heavier is moving into the : "power finesse" tactics and not considered a Midwest Finesse or Ned Rig tactic ... Again , a whole other topic but when I see guys recommend a 1/8th oz. jig head or with a 1/0 hook (or larger) I feel compelled to share my thoughts regarding the range of what is considered a true Mid West Finesse (Ned Rig) jig head and hook size. The other sizes mistakenly get lumped into the Mid West / Ned Rig tactic but in reality are power finesse tactics ... *To each their own and your individual requirements / results may vary .

I believe they start at 175HP and go up from there - look similar to Evenrude with a futuristic design (more tasteful than Evenrude's looks though) . Nice feature is easy access to the internals for adding oil - other than improved efficiency and slightly better gas mileage I did not see what else was really new ... Your thoughts ?

Then you might want to try TRD Tubes ...

A tournament fisherman I know gave them high marks in durability and fish catching ability ... The Robo Ned Worm is a 1/4 inch longer than the Z-Man TRD version and will have a different action (due to Z-man elaztec material) . Conversely the Robo Ned Worm has a flat slide that makes it glide and shimmy on the fall ... I would get the Aarons Magic and Aarons Morning Dawn colors to try ... The Robo Ned I would fish flat side down , cast , let fall on slack line , dead stick , then lift - drop - drag technique to take advantage of the flat bottom - mix it up with your Z-Man TRD which might be better to shake on the bottom due to floating elaztec material .

Do you like Ochos rigged T- Rig or Wacky Style best ?

Good to know ! One would think a 175 HP would be plenty of power - wonder how many units of the 175 HP SHO versus the 200 HP SHO Yamaha sells ? ... Might be better to go with the 200 HP SHO if a over - inventory situation developed or a sale due to what's most popular equates to a good deal !

Conversely , I had some first generation Kansen #8 lb. braid you had to baby or it would break below the rating ... In #5 lb. through #15 lb. I have liked Power Pro in Hi - Vis Yellow .

Thanks to confirm - *I did not drill down far enough on the web page !

Catt / J Francho : It does not appear the X18 / X19 series have the Hyperlift Hull ? ... Is it just the H18 / H20 (no 19 ft. ) with the Hyperlift Hull ?

Thanks again Fishnkamp & J Francho ! ...If location matters for length and hull I'll be fshing in Florida at same lakes FLW and Elite Series fish (Harris Chain , Kissimmee Chain , Lake George , Lake Toho , St. Johns River, etc. ) ... From this thread I have learned : Get the longest boat & largest motor for it you can afford ! While rocky structure is not an issue in Florida there is the vegetation and wood in most areas . Wind can kick up waves on shallow lakes , so would seem to favor a 19 ft. for those conditions / location ... Reading and research are your friends - I will do both , greatly appreciate the replies to date !

I did - certainly well built ! ... *OK , who uses the 2nd thickest aluminum in their bass boat builds from the factory ? Who is brand X ? ... Was that a shot against Xpress or everyone else (Ranger , G3 , Crestliner , Lund, Tracker , etc. ) ?

Fishnkamp - Thanks , understood ...