Finessegenics

I guess they can be used in the same locations but swing heads are strictly a hard bottom bait for me. I fish them on bottom, constantly grinding along the bottom. That is the key for me, or else it just becomes a jig and plastic. So it can be used in the same place as a jig, but just to show something different. With the right plastic, it is a pretty unique look watching it bump along bottom. Sometimes I throw a jig, other a swing head but I don’t think there’s an active justification in my head. I just try it.

I was at a point where I wanted to incorporate jigs into my river fishing too, but didn’t know where to start. I have had the most success on football and true finesse jigs. The football jigs are good, but they don’t result in many hookups for me which is frustrating. I believe this is because a lot of the fish hitting it, are too small to get the hook into their mouth. This results in a lot of swing and misses and can be really frustrating for a beginner to jig fishing. It takes a pretty decent sized smallmouth to inhale a full-sized football jig. This is why I recommend starting with true finesse jigs; light wire hooks and light weights. You’ll probably catch more fish and become comfortable with the technique. Then you can try throwing a big jig with heavy tackle and seeing what happens. Retrieve wise, slow is the name of the game for me. I have the most bites when slowly creeping the jig and being patient. Even in the summer, when fish are active. I’ll randomly add a bigger “scoot” to imitate a fleeing crawfish. Another important factor for me is scent. I almost always use it for jig fishing. I like liquid mayhem garlic crawfish but buy the scent only if you believe in it. Here are a few finesse jigs I can recommend: Strike King Bitsy Bug: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/search-tackle.html?start=0&count=30&searchtext=Bitsy+bug Zman Shroomz Jig: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Z-Man_Shroomz_Micro_Finesse_Jig_2pk/descpage-ZMSMJ.html Keitech Mono Jig: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/search-tackle.html?start=0&count=30&prevsearch=Zman+finesse&searchtext=Tungsten+mono+ These are tiny! Especially the last two. You’ll have to use your spinning rod to throw all these. For the Zman and keitech jig, I recommend using a ZMan TRD Crawz as a trailer. For the Bitsy Bug, which is still small but much bigger than the other two, I’d recommend and trailer which is skinny and around 3”. Take a look at the Strike King Baby series. You can go with the baby versions of the rage craw, rage bug or rage menace. I also really like the Berkley Chigger Bug as a trailer for the Bitsy bug. Best of luck and let us know how it goes

I want to add another underrated bait; swing heads. There was a lot of chatter about them on different threads here this year, but it seems like not many people are actually throwing them. They are extremely versatile, can be fit with any plastic you want and allow you to cover water in a way the fish haven’t seen that much. Who’s throwing them?

Topwater/walking: .33 mm co-poly or mono Frog: 50# straight braid Squarebill: .33mm co-poly or mono Deep crank: .33mm co-poly or mono Lipless: .33mm co-poly or mono Pitch/Flip: straight 15# fluoro in sparse cover (I don't fish thick gnarly stuff, unless it's weeds - in that case straight 50# braid) Swim Jig: 15# fluoro FB jigs/dragging jigs: 15# fluoro Ned, shaky, tubes, general spinning stuff: 15# or 10# braid to 8# or 6# fluoro leader Spinnerbait/Chatterbait: Either .33 co-poly or 15# fluoro. Just depends on which rod I decide to tie them on that day.

Mr Twister Ringworm is my underrated bait. I've fished it on an open jig head, a split shot rig and on a dropshot. I know some guys on here really like Zoom's version.

Skimmed through it but it was funny!! I didn't realize it would be satire by reading the title

I’m not a fan of overly long rods but “long” is subjective. There has been a new trend lately where 7’3 has become the new 7’0, if that makes any sense. Longest rod I’d use is 7’6. Maybe if it’s truly a specialty rod I’d go longer but I see no need/advantage to a long rod for the way I fish right now. In your case, i’d go with the 7’2. Even if you don’t have to deal with brush and trees while you’re casting, a longer rod can be cumbersome while wading. A longer rod is more likely to slap the water on your motion back during the cast. Doesn’t mean it will happen but I find shorter rods more comfortable when wading.

Funnily enough this thread reminded me to check my bank account and credit card statements. So I went to check my bank account/credit card. And what do I see? A $900 purchase at “stadium goods” which was completed on Monday. That wasn’t me. Everything will be ok but it’s just the hassle of having to call to close the card and get the charge removed. Stay safe BR! Edit: Also reminded me to put steps in place to prevent this from happening again and if it does, to catch it the moment it happens.

Picked up quite a few things during the sales. I needed a reel with a higher gear ratio and did not want to break the bank, so I purchased the CR80. For such a cheap reel it feels solid! Im also really excited to try out the Gillys. I’ve taken a look them but they won’t get used until next spring.

I'm different in the sense that I prefer a rod with less tip for frogging, and one with a little more tip for throwing a jig. But that doesn't matter. The rod will most likely be perfect for jigs which are that heavy. a 3/4 oz as read on the package is more like 1 oz + when considering the hook, weedguard and trailer. Same for a 1 oz jig, the whole package is probably closer to 1 3/8 oz.. So your rod will definitely load up weights that heavy.

That's what I imagine a stick worm is supposed to imitate. I don't like using weighted hooks with senkos as it was made to be used weightless. But other brands' stick worms have more of a shimmy when some extra weight is added so it's almost necessary. I have thought about adding weight to target deeper water while still imitating a dying baitfish. The vmc gliding jig interests me as I think it perfect for this kind of application. Adds weight + flash + movement. Paired with a pearl stick worm it'll look like a lot like a fluttering shad. I always see them in bargain bins at local tackle shops but have never tried one.

White and Pearl are 2 different colors. Not that it really matters but just pointing it out. I have some white stick worms that produce decently for me. What I have noticed is any laminate with a Pearl or white side have been extremely effective for me. My favorite senko color is 901; Watermelon cream laminate. Anything white/Pearl imitates baitfish well imo.

Welcome!

My memory could be faulty but I remember a few days ago, someone starting a topic to post this years Black Friday loot. My package came yesterday and I wanted to show off some stuff but can’t find the thread.

I bought some Daiwa Samurai Fluoro and I’m excited to use it. Got a 220yd spool of 14# (.325 mm). I’ve heard great things about it and I don’t think I’ll be disappointed. This past season I used Invizx as my mainline fluoro and I was really happy. But I still want to try something new.

Gilly's ordered! 2 x 90 mm (Blue Shiner Gold, Pumpkinseed) 2x 110 mm (Blue Shiner Gold, HD Warmouth) 2x 130 mm (Blue Shiner Gold, HD Sunfish) I'll post my black friday loot when it gets here

I'm sure it's a good head but I can't stand screw locks. I'd rather much use a traditional keeper with a drop of the right super glue. So if you don't mind screw locks, try them out and let us know how it goes.

Imo you have a lot of leeway when using braided line. 20# is already thin and yes, 10# is even thinner. But what would you gain or lose by dropping down? You’ll be using the same leader either way. Thinner line is better in current as it moves more naturally with it and also cuts through it better when dropshotting but in your case I don’t think the diameter of braided line you choose will affect your shakeyhead fishing. Imo you’ll find that the 20# is just as effective as 10# and vice versa. Just curious to know what your reasoning is.

That sounds like an awesome idea but none of my fishing buddies are into the tournament scene at all. My plan is to delay organizing my tackle, cleaning my reels/rods and such for as long as possible so I have something to look forward to.

Koi or goldfish that happens to have a translucent and rounded tail. Even the behavior sounds like carp. I think what you saw is pretty conclusive but it’s the unknown that often keeps us going back when it comes to fishing.

I noticed they were out of stock or on back order a lot of places…so I’m guessing the lack of replies on this post is due to the fact not a lot of people have em. The store I’m going to be making an order from only has a few color choices but have all 3 sizes in stock. I’d give a review once I get them but I’ll only be using these come May…lol.

Mojo Bass or look for a sweet deal on the Victory. You won’t be disappointed, St Croix is also backed by excellent customer service. Worth the price

Welcome! Glad you’re here

Don't think I've ever seen a solid green pumpkin hard bait. A lot of colors have a green pumpkin top and light underbelly.

Looking to pick up a pack or two of these baits on some black friday deals. There was some talk about them here on iCast threads. I haven't been able to find any testimonials about the bait itself though. Who's using em and how are they? Do they run true, does the hook penetrate the body easily? How do you rig them and retrieve them? I'll get a pack regardless but curious to hear about your experiences.