Bass-Addict

My buddy insists they are, I’ve only ever used GP. What color/size do you find produces best?

I have been mostly throwing 4-5” flukes and jerk shadz on 4/0 EWG hooks, both weightless and 1/8. I noticed when belly weighted isn’t producing, I sometimes pull it off and nose hook it with the belly weighted hook and immediately get bit, and I’m wondering if this has more to do with nose hooking and the presentation that produces or the unusual action that nose hooking with a belly weighted hook creates? Would like to reproduce these results using proper, smaller hooks but not sure it would work. What rigging style do you find elicits the most strikes?

Ok now I’m really confused. The majority seem to recommend fast for this application. I thought “fast” meant faster to load up/stiffen allowing you to use the full “power” of the rod to set the hook?

Moderate on the MH rod?? What gives you that tip vibration, fast or moderate?

No this one

The gammy hook looks weedless

Why are you suddenly limited to the bank? So you throw crankbaits on the same set up as bladed jigs?

Lol huh

I’m very confused. Half of what I’ve read and heard say fast, half moderate. Fast makes way more sense to me, giving you more backbone to set that large, heavy gauge single hook. I’ve missed countless fish on my MHMF Victory. The other part of the equation is line - I’ve been using 14 lb mono for this setup as it doubles as my topwater rod. I’m trying to find a balance that allows me to use this setup for both topwater (spooks/ploppers) and jigs/bladed jigs. Bonus if I can crank on it.

Yeah wonder if I could pinch it closed? That’s not weedless is it?

I already tried using a micro swivel 8-24” up but got sick of it going through my guides. This leaves only using a finesse snap swivel or swivel w a #1 split ring attached as options. As far as I can see, the closest I can get to that are barrel swivels with split rings but these are still too big for the gin clear conditions and finicky bass that call for a fluke. These barrels are the thick, anvil style rather than the thin rounded bead seen in the micro swivels. What do you recommend? I am beyond sick of line twist. I guess I could make them myself, attach a #1 hyper wire to a micro swivel but that would be extremely tedious as I go through several a trip.

Is MF superior to MHMF? Is MF superior to MHMF?

What are you throwing on?

No prob! Those are in my Arsenal as well.

This is not a jig, I’m talking about a skirted structure jig

I have a medium heavy moderate fast victory, trying to decide if I want 5/16 or 3/8. Targeting clear water river smallmouth holding tight to cover. I assume the trailer prob adds enough heft to cast 5/16 but not entirely sure. How important is fall rate? I have always understood jigs to be more of a dead sticking bait that you want on the bottom, and 3/8 to 1/2 being ideal. Lastly, what brand do you like? Anyone used the D&L Baby Advantage?

Do you find the stealth blade really helps?

Are you saying simply have it dangling from the hook? I wasn’t trying to be sarcastic I really just don’t understand how that could possibly work.

That won’t stay on lol

I use the goat on craw patterns, only using this pin tail for baitfish patterns.

Huh? I just cut 3/4 of an inch off the top.

Great point, yes I definitely did my best to make long casts. Now if they are deep (5+ ft) which many of them are in these conditions do you believe the same rule applies and they can still see you even if you can’t see them or bottom? Yes I am with you on the photoperiod. I had always heard that they begin the transition within a week of the equinox. I assume this means after the equinox?

I feel like beyond a certain point, these conditions can work against you quite a bit. I generally prefer more visibility than less, only for the simple fact that it opens up the variety of presentations available to me. This is a small sacrifice for a potentially bigger moving bite. My question is, when it gets so low and clear that you can see 4 feet to the bottom, what is your approach? Do you completely abandon moving presentations altogether? I assumed that Finesse would be my friend today, however they didn’t seem to want much to do with any of it. I threw Fluke, Ned, tube, jig. I caught some fish, but struggled most of the day. Do you think that downsizing from 10 pound sniper leader to 8 would have made a difference? Being this late in the summer, is it safe to assume they are already beginning to transition into fall feeding mode, and making their way towards winter holes?

My question is, does the trailer really make that much of a difference in terms of strikes?

This makes me genuinely question how often you are throwing it. I’ve tried almost every trailer, from spunk shads to zakos to menace. Literally nothing lasts more than a few fish before being pulled off unless I glue it. Then it leaves the guts on the bait keeper.