Bdnoble84

I agree with everything said above about sizing hook to bait. The biggest issue i have is using a hook that is too small for the plastic im throwing as the hook point really doesnt get through the plastic properly to ensure hookups. Case in point, ive caught big bull bluegill on a 3/0 spinnerbait with a 3.8 keitech. If a bluegill can swallow that, a smallie will have no issue getting hooked on anything you throw at them. Alot of my smallie misses on plastics are due to their affinity to like to grab the tail or other appendages on the bait. I also get in trouble trying to use a bone breaking hook-set on them the way u might a largemouth in cover. do much better with a sweeping hookset but again thats the style of hook i like to use are ewgs.

On spinnerbaits lately ive been tying the skirt in a hula or hole in 1 type style. All the skirt material is fanned out over top and no underlying material. I like it because it gives the skirt a nice fat profile the pulses well but also conservs on strands. A 40 strand skirt will have 80 strandson the top.

I hear ya. Im going to keep it simple. The reason it falls apart for me is i think i needvto make some big elaborate bait. Ill just make something simple and then see if i have bonus baits to throw in

First smallie of the year, also the first time ive taken a boat out on this little stream with a trolling motor. Ive lived in and fished this little stream all my life. It was pretty cool to get on the water and fish it from a boat going upstream.

How are you weighting it, lead wrap?

With lighter jigs i want to swim i stick around 40 strands, particularly with 1/4 oz jugs. Seems i can keep the skirt more even, letting it track better. The more i put on, the more likely i seem to be to get my jig unbalanced. This isnt a big deal for heavier jigs but it definitely impacts my lighter jigs, particularly in current

Yes. ? im down

I keep having thoughts of seeing one of those on a dropshot

Actually hes the one i picked it up from, i think a variation of the sex dungeon might be the one ive been tying, but cant remember for sure. Extremely simple, marabou tail, chennile wrap, marabou top, marabou bottom, repeat

ive beeb really digging the appearance in the water of flys tied with a material on top and bottom like how the gamechanger is tied. I think its refered to as stacking. Ive been using marabou for my stacks. Gives a distinct baitfish profile.

I use hardasnails on my hair jigs. Im just getting into crankbait making, would hard as nails be sufficiene for clear coating while i figure out everything else thwt goes in. Guessing my first few paint jobs arent going to be very spectacular anyway. I also have some jb weld 5 min epoxy, will this work?

I really dont think a 5” fluke stule bait would be too big. As @Scott F said, you probably wont get as many bites but if they are agressive, they will definitely hit it. When you think about it, senkos most people throw are 5” and those get bit by smallies. Ive also caught them on 5” kahlins grubs used as a swim jig trailer, much bigger profile and that didnt deter them. Biggest thing to me is the hookup ratio with bigger plastics goes down for me. They just dont get it in there mouths as easily.

Those look good, what material are you using for the head?

Now that you mention it, i remember @Smalljaw67 mentioning those hooks before when i was looking for a lighter wire solution. Look good. There is definitely a difference there. Know what you mean about gaining hook distannce, ive been cutting off the secondary holder myself. Ive also started crimping down the 1st ridge if i want to lay my hair more flat.

When i started doing it, i would heat them up first then bend them below the eye bend. I was having issues with bending them straight however. The lil nastys i found are actually maleable enough to bend without heating. I take needle nose and grab them between the eye and the bend and with moderate force i pull the hook point back. Its a feel thing. 3/0 hooks bent were the easiest and i could get them closer to a 30 degree bend. The 2/0s were a different story there is a fine line for how much pressure you can apply and how far you can go. I figured out that i had to stop at around a 45 and if i was too forcefull the hook would snap. I probably snapped the first 4or 5, and then 4-5 more throught out. I ended up bending roughly 30 2/0s. I bent another 18-20 3/0s with no breakages.

If you do try it with a light wire hook. You will need to fill in the openings otherwise you will get serious flashing and your eye will get covered in lead. I use plumbers putty as i can scrape it out easily when i want to use the mold with normal hooks

Ive been playing with modifying eagleclaw lil nasty hooks to fit in my 30degree eye poisontail. I love the way this jig works through rocks and it just looks good, but the standard Mustad hook is too heavy for hair jigs. The hooks bend decent as long as i dont go too far.

What gauge wire did u use

That’s where I’m at, went back to Berkeley sensation on my jig rod because I got tired of fighting it, but I really loved the feel of braid. I would go straight braid but I’m fishing in Avery rocky, shaggy stream and I don't want to be cutting of braid all over it. Plus I run into plenty of northern and like having a thicker leader to thwart those sharp teeth

how do y’all deal with micro guides using braid to leader? I’ve used the fog, but even that catches and affects my casting distance.

This is a really great idea. Very ingenuitive and it’s cheap too.

Y’all are reminding me i need to but some chatterblades, $$$$$. This **** adds up. But i think thats a discussion for a diff forum

I make 1/8 oz spinnerbaits out of a modified poisontail mold. This way i can configure them however I want. I have some tweaking to do. Thinner wire and a smaller hook. Not sure if u are a do it yourselfer? You can always just buy some #2,3,3.5 willow blades to swap out colorados.

Poor choice of words. You are right. There is a big difference. Other than my wifes business being affected, and worrying about what comes next life hasnt felt a whole lot different from us. Im alittle south of Rockford on the Rock River. So far weve been functioning pretty much the same overall.

Not quarantined but ive been rather busy holed up in the basement making jigs anyway