Michigander

A tiny jig. They're magical.

I saw that you listed a 2oz version, I was curious what cover warranted that in NY. But fast fall makes sense. ?

I dislike basically everything about those jigs except the weight range and colors. Regarding finesse jigs more broadly... I throw a lot of finesse jigs and finesse swim jigs. However, "finesse" isn't a technical term. To me, it's the light line used to fish them that makes it finesse, not the size hook or jig profile. I have a 5/0 hand tied 'weightless' jig that's light wire all the way to a 1/16 oz wacky hook jig. Both are finesse to me because I fish them on lighter line. I think that "small profile jig" is often what people mean by finesse jig.

Yes, they are great for this. Because the weight is somewhat separate, it pulls the bait through cover so I have found that I can go lighter on the stick weight than I would need to for a bullet weight with the same hook/bait combo.

I pitch them at super thick and snaggy stuff intentionally. ? I mainly use them the same as a Texas Rig when there's a muck bottom or other soft/obstructive bottom that would hide the bait.

By "won" do you mean first place or cashing a check? And what qualifies as a "pro" tournament?

Agree with jerkbaits and open hook paddle tails. Most of my pike in bass tournaments come on these.

If I remember correctly, VMC jumped on the Tokyo Rig early and scaled up the promotion. Jika rig had a single short video by Owner of a craw bait burning over rocks.

Looks like it just came out over the summer. Must have decided to pick up the Owners customers. The rig seems to be more advanced than the Owner one but not wildly so. I'll keep making them myself. However, Owner sucks at marketing but Gamakatsu does not, so maybe there will be renewed interest in this rig.

I learned about those in the historical chapter of one of my telecommunications classes in college, lol.

Cool. Thanks again for setting this up!

Are you going to email out the join link? Or post it here?

The rig works great. This was just coming out into the open when everyone latched on the Tokyo rig so it kind of buried knowledge about the Jika rig. Cadillac of Jika weights is the Hitena tungsten stick weight: https://hitenausa.com/products/tungsten-stick-sinker.html @roadwarrior I totally second the Structure Bug. Also, give a Zoom Fluke a whirl. ? And this is the last we should speak of this. I like that basically no one knows about these, lol. Just kidding, it's a secret that protects itself because people tend to go with other presentations.

Ok, so then measuring the vibration of the line at the point where a finger could touch it would give you comparative data on if Rod A dampens more than Rod B, would it not?

So what does this get me over InvisX or Finesse?

I totally agree that this term is subjective, but I've been wondering lately if it could become objective. I think attaching a vibrometer to the reel seat and measuring vibration transmission from controlled inputs would give an objective comparison between two rods.

Well in that case, I'll put the TFO Tactical Elite rod in the mix at $199. I have the 7'4" Heavy and it is amazing for sensitivity. I can feel very light bites and get a lot of wonderful feedback on what my jig is bumping against. It revolutionized my ability to explore heavy cover.

Wait, what? That's possible?

Reels look interesting. Too bad the don't offer a 100 size in lefty for the cheaper one. Would have been willing to spin the wheel and blind buy for $100.

Would probably be better to ask what is the most sensitive bottom contact rod that you own. I have a decent collection of rods and they are all different brands.

I fish until the lakes freeze over. Then I build/organize tackle and work on my boat until it thaws. My Triton's 21st birthday is coming up and she's getting a full rewire as her gift this year. Last year it was a new trailer. Would love to have the means to have a new boat worth more than my house but the one I have is a fine vessel, just takes a lot of work to keep her running, safe, and happy.

A lot of guys use needlenose pliers but I actually prefer the old style hook remover because you can push the hook down and out a lot easier. Pike jaws are much harder than a bass' and can take some directed force to pop a hook free. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Baker_Original_Hookout_Hook_Remover_/descpage-BKRORHO.html?from=gshop&gclid=CjwKCAiA7939BRBMEiwA-hX5J19diAAfl8Jogcx5qhyT5WGqhbTeTHLkIDBNi2xL1WhxNZDyFHnvJBoC4psQAvD_BwE And they aren't expensive, so that's quite nice.

Ok, excellent information on blank inspection. I did the recommended steps and it looks like I'm going to be fine to start building. The blank is pretty straight overall, though I see why laser guide alignment tools are probably less than what they are cracked up to be. So for reaming, it seems like a ream a bit, check it, ream it a bit more, check it, repeat situation. When I get it right, I will take measurements and see what the diameter difference is.

I also struggle against the buffet. The advantage is that you know where the bass are feeding, the disadvantage is all the competition. I usually have my best luck running a subsurface fluke through the mayhem or slow working a popper over top of the carnage. They are pinning the bait against the surface, so if you're a couple inches too deep they might ignore the bait.

If the calories gained by eating are greater than the calories expended to eat, yes, even cold water bass will massacre some bait balls. Typically, you want to stand out to the fish. It has 2,000+ little targets swimming about, what are the chances that it even sees you lure? More flash, a hair bigger than the bait, a bit more commotion. Anything to get the fish to zero in on your presentation instead of the members of the horde.