Bass-Addict

So traditional stupid rig hooks like those on top are my best option for a weedless tube presentation?

For sure, tubes are a classic fish catcher and honestly in most cases I’d say outfish neds. As for the 2.75” producing for me, I have not exactly been crushing them on it. That is why I came back to the drawing board. Not sure if it’s the size or my rig.

Ahh gotcha, so tubes get their spiral specifically from that cone shaped weight?

I felt this deserved a separate thread as my decision has come down to these two specific designs. I want to get the absolute best action possible, and I’m completely clueless about how size/shape of these jigheads influences the fall, action. Both are labeled “stupid” heads but one is a round ball head while the other has a traditional tube head. Can someone please explain the difference to me in what sort of action these impart or how they might otherwise influence the bait’s performance? The ball head looks to be a large EWG shank whereas the regular stupid head is a shorter shank, is there a difference here?

What size?

Nice. Well I typically stay under 3” for soft plastics, as I’ve heard that is the sweet spot in the waters I fish. This is a reflection of the size of most of the forage, the vast majority of the baitfish I see are between 2-3” and the craws the same. However, considering that most strikes seem to be reactionary I’m not entirely sure this matters and my success on 2.75” paddle tails/neds is more likely a result of throwing them more.

Honestly Ned bite has slowed considerably for me lately, mostly a dink magnet. Everyone throws it now.

Thanks for the vote of confidence my dude! 🙌🏼

I’m currently using the last of my 2.75” Strike King fat coffee tubes and debating on upsizing to a local brand that offers a pretty appealing stupid tube setup in a 3.5” mold. My concern is the general 3” rule for soft plastics I’ve safely abided by for some time, and wondering if I won’t be missing bites. It generally applies to paddle tails and Ned rigs, and although they have hit Big TRDs & 3.25” swimbaits, I have found the sweet spot for river smallies to be that 2.5-3” mark. I’m just wondering if that applies to tubes as well?

How exactly do nail weights work?

Yeah I’m talking under 10’, like maybe 6-8’ generally. Still C Rig or is an 1/8 oz chinlock fine? I’m talking around 6-8’. Any advantage of a belly weighted hook over split shot pinched on? Seems the weight would be less evenly distributed.

Do you find Zman’s chinlockz to be the best option? I’m currently running 1/8 but at $8 a 3 pack they ain’t cheap. They have a slightly cheaper option with a plastic keeper which I’m sure is fine but not as good. Mustad grip pins are ok but I prefer the baitfish colored hook Zman uses as I’m using this as an “ultra” finesse tactic on sluggish bottom hugging river smallies in these dog days. Also saw in a search the “dangle berry rig” with a sliding weight to preserve the erratic flailing action, definitely a thought. What do you use?

What size is that? Yes lol figuring them out can be aggravating especially when they are being finicky. What do you prefer about Super Spook?

I have been throwing the Teckle Kickknocker Pup, and while it is effective and produces numbers I’m wondering if I wouldn’t get bigger bites with the original (Super Spook/Kickknocker/Sexy Dawg.) In your experience is it easier or harder to work? I would think bigger/heavier would instantly be easier to walk.

Do you find long is otherwise beneficial in any way, ie easier to get precision cuts or get in there closely?

Got those, they are good as well but sort of cumbersome on a kayak.

I’ve been using the short but wondering if longer isn’t easier

Sweet, ya I tried these over the weekend and they work but the large ball head creates a sort of bulbous, irregular shaped head that I’m not sure I’m crazy about. I don’t suppose they make one like you have made with a tube head?

Interesting point, yeah everyone says they push up on the bank in muddy water. Do you find they also go up in shallow current seams?

Those will fit a 2.75” coffee tube?

The classic chartreuse spinnerbait with painted blades performs unparalleled in muddy water. Even though I know trailers are a small part of the picture and probably make minimal difference, I am doing this for myself and the simple enjoyment of maximizing visibility. People say dark plastics in stain & bright hard baits. Yet the chartreuse/white seems to be a better fit. Which would you think is a better choice?

Oh crud so I have to pour them myself?

Whacky jig heads

Can you link me to this?

I don’t need bigger I need smaller lol. I even tried the #1 Nedlockz and they don’t fit either.