ChrisD46

Bluebasser86 : I'm trying to rationalize this (as well as my previous "Free Rig" post) . I get the Tokyo Rig and understand the potential improved hook ups ... With the Free Rig , I have the materials to try it (when nothing else is working) but due to rocky areas I fish like you - I'm afraid the Guntersville rig would hang up too much with a bullet weight . *Besides , when ever I use a Biffle Bug & Biffle Swing Jig Head set up I smile thinking about Tommy Biffle (even if bites are few...)

Here's a different approach to a Texas Rig (I have not tried it) called : "The Guntersville Rig" - An EWG hook , approx. #5 size split ring , a bullet weight and a bobber stop : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QMhIfKJUow ... *Any one with experience at such a rig ? ... Are hook sets a concern (as one poster noted ?) ... A great , frugal idea - or an awful one ? ... You tell me .

+1 ... This or the Strike King round ball version in GP color (1/8th oz. for less than 15' of water and 3/16th oz for 15' plus water depth ... I believe staying with 1/8th oz. or 3/32nd oz. gives you better action - lighter is better) ... Also try to dye the tip of the tail (1/4") with JJ's or Spike It chartreuse color for a bit more attraction and scent (garlic) .

If it's made from Z-Man Elaztec - once per year (lol !)

+1 I won't buy rods to be shipped from Dicks or Academy ... Square , flimsy rod box arrives crushed . TW does it right shipping in a solid , round tube with rod wrapped in bubble wrap .

+1 ... I started with Cavitrons and have no reason to leave ...

A lot of good $100 ~ $150 6'10" ~ 7' M Extra fast spinning rods for drop shot , shaky head or Ned Rig applications available from TW . Combine with a 2500 or 3000 series spinning reel , braid + leader line of your choice (FC , co-poly) and you have a number of fun finesse options !

Recent Free Rig "How To" from a tournament basser : https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/free-rig.html The finesse wide gap (i.e. wacky hook) could be a nice touch along with the cylinder weight with a larger circle for the line to slide through (I still believe for most purposes the general purpose lead casting weights have a large enough eyelet to allow the line to move freely through) . Lastly - experimenting with a few different creature style baits , finesse worms , etc. could provide a different fall rate / action profile .

*I could see owning : 702SF (Ned, drop shot) , 703sf (shakey head , MH drop shot , smaller weightless stick worms) & a 704sf (larger stick worms , weighted T-Rigs , lighter C-Rig , fishing near cover) ... Dobyns rods in the Sierra line for me are like Lay's potato chips - I can't have just one !

Football Jig Skirt Colors : 1) Green Pumpkin 2) Black & Blue 3) Brown & Orange 4) PB & J 5) Bream / Bluegill *I'm not imitating a shad on the bottom with a football jig; only craws , bluegill and other bottom dweller crustaceans . *For the first three skirt colors you can branch out into different color skirt sub - themes (i.e. flake colors) *For a good example of a football jig / skirt color selection : https://www.siebertoutdoors.com/Grid-Iron-G2-Jig-471.htm

Good reply (as always) Team9nine : If you are not dragging and you are not shaking - then you are either hopping , swimming or dead sticking (sounds like a Ned Rig post - lol !) ... *johnnyblazex is / was a member here (has been MIA for a couple of years...) I remain "clinically goofy" using FC main line on a spinning reel ... Will wait for a TW sale to bite the bullet and try Tatsu #8 lb. FC as a main line to see if there is a benefit over braid + FC leader or a decent co-poly main line .

*I thought it would be useful to see what folks here are using currently this season for a shaky head main line ? Along the same theme - here is a fairly technical exert on shaky head main line by: "jonnyblazex" (below) - interested to see what shaky head users think ? Also it doesn't have to be just a braid vs. FC mainline debate - there may be those killing it with a co-poly main line for shaky head : "I use Seaguar Tatsu fluorocarbon line in 8lb test, 6lb diameter. If you want the best fluoro, this is it. The stuff casts perfect, knot strength is perfect, stretch is little, and perfect, not stiff. Best fluoro ever. I used to use braid, but fluoro provides so much slack line sensitivity it is unreal. You cant really work the shaky head the same with braid/fluoro leader as you can straight high quality fluoro. Braid requires tight line for the best sensitivity, where fluoro is sensitive even at slack, where you work shaky heads correctly, on slack line while you are shaking the worm. Braid also floats at the top, down to the worm with a bow if left on slack line, if you can imagine it, and fluoro goes at a diagonal line to the worm because it sinks. They are two different presentations, but if you are dragging the shaky head on a tight line, the braid will be more sensitive. If you are shaking the shaky head, or hopping and dead sticking it, fluoro will be more sensitive. I spent almost 600 dollars on my shaky head setup, so I am serious about it, and like the technique a lot. I love to feel the bite, and slam the hook down. I use a G Loomis NRX rod with Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 2500 reel, and seaguar Tatsu 8lb line. Best shaky head setup ever IMO".

*Beautiful colors !

*I'm going to pick up a few Scum Frogs to try - maybe White , Green Pumpkin and Black to cover bases ... I'll worry less where I throw them than higher cost Frogs .

*The WP 90 is more of a finesse WP while the 75 and 110 are more alike in how they are used ... I prefer the 110 as an all - around size but on the right equipment the 75 and even 130 can be very effective . The WP 90 can be a pain to work properly - you have to pay attention to what you are doing with it as it can spin out , blow out , dive , etc. (all the things you don't want it to do on a retrieve) . Therefore I save the WP 90 on the most calm days to use . I have less experience with the WP 75 with it's different shape and action - still trying to decide if I need it or not ?

*That's really something as the Scum line are far less expensive than the highly touted (and more expensive) Spro Bronze Eye line and the like !

*+1 ... I have the excellent Sahara but made the mistake of not trying it out in the store : The result is the bail hits my knuckles on the retrieve (reel is too close to the rod for my size hands) . The President (for me) is a better fit and a fine reel .

+1 the regular Havoc Bottom Hoppers are a great value and they float - you don't need the power bait version . Just hit them with a little BANG Garlic spray scent and fish on !

*I believe a red treble hook and being available in more exotic colors would sell more ... I'd be happy to draft up a marketing plan for you (lol !)

Besides the readily available and popular Booyah Poppin' Pad Crasher - what are other popping style frogs you like and have had success with ?

Great suggestions here however I have to show some love for the Zoom Swamp Crawler used on a 1/8th oz. shakey head ... Add a scent of your liking to tame down the Zoom plastic scent and you have a winner !

Swim Jig : Single or Double Tail Grub Football Jig : Double Tail Grub Pitching Jig : Double Tail Grub

*You ever cure the enamel jigs in a toaster over - or is that not needed with the testers enamel paints ?

*Looks similar to the SK bladed minnow offering ... I think the SK bladed minnow and the ZMan similar offering are great bladed jig trailers ... Congrats on pouring your own !

+1 ... A Dobyns SF 702 & 703 pair in the series of your choice make a nice drop shot set up - but if you could only have one then you picked a great one A-Jay !