RRocket

Yea, I have one on my pack as well...but I use it as a micro flashlight! I have the one with the light on it. It has cut everything I've used it on...though it's not my primary snipper. The retractable lanyard is indeed handy.

This is how they are stored in my shore fishing bag.

If he's fishing "deep" with a 1/16th nail weight, there is absolutely zero..and I mean ZERO current where he fishes.

No issues for me...

Someone asked me about the soldering, so I'll give an explainer. Both damaged baits are Dolive Beavers from this weekend. One, the claws are intact but barely. SMB on Free Rig. The other was completely blown up by a SMB on a Neko and is no longer useful (I turn these into "mushi" baits by adding silicone legs) so I cut it in half to demo. Both fish that caused the damage are below. First, Mend-It! Paint one side, or both and stick together! The bait is now back together. But you can still see the lines or little cracks. We want to smooth those out and make a better connection. Use a micro soldering iron tip. The idea here is not to immolate the bait but to juuuuust barely get it to melt so we can use the bait as glue. So gently go over the crack back and forth. For technique, it's like very gently scribbling a marker on either side of a line or very gently scratching your skin with your nail. Gentle, controlled. You just want to get the plastic to melt and then spread it around. You'll know it's ready when you see the plastic have a shiny sheen. Spread that liquid around. Now the crack is filled and the bait more robust and uniform along the damage line. Now there are likely some fumes (from both Mend-It and soldering), so make sure you aren't huffing them and do in a ventilated area.

No. But there's videos of guys fishing it.

I remember watching a video of someone saying he prefers the 1/4 because the 3/8th fishes more like a 1/2.

Sorry! Thought you meant tube jig!

I can't account for why your hookup ratio is off, but I'll share how I fish it. Although I fish it as completely different from you as possible, perhaps you'll be able to divine some information from the tea leaves that might be useful to you. But first, I agree with you. Hot or not. And there's no rhyme or reason to it IMO. Some days they want to chase and some days they don't. First, I use spinning. An uncommon choice, generally, but a Midwest thing. My rods are parabolic and Light with Fast. Because of this, I mainly fish 1/4oz so as not to overwhelm the rod when pulling through grass. In more open water, I'll use 3/8 th. I also use different bladed jigs for grass vs open...though I don't think this is a factor for catch ratio. Next, I use mono leader. Specifically Big Game as we have toothy critters here and Zebra mussels. This is a very tough line. This line surely has much less feel than others. However I think it might be helping. I can't really feel small ticks or bumps. That is to say, I only feel completely "On" or "Off" of the bladed jig. When it's Off, it's a weed or a well and proper bite and not just a swipe. I also think the relatively soft rod allows a better take before I react. By the time I react, the rod tip is loaded already. Just a sweep and fish on. And I rarely, if ever, lose them. So I think there's some variable with my set up that improves hook up ratio in a way that I don't fully understand. Again, I'm not sure if any of this matters or will be of any use to you. Perhaps others will have some insight and can translate.

Removed

1.5 ounces worth!

I have cut FC, but not of the size you are asking about. EDIT: found a video of various lines being cut

You'd love the Dolive Beaver Magnum!!

We have Goby here...so Goby colored. If you have craws out your way, Great Lake Finesse makes these really interesting craw tubes. https://www.greatlakesfinesse.com/25-juvy-craw

I use the Heigh Ten aluminum nippers. Blades are tungsten carbide and should last forever. I prefer scissors, but since these hang off my small fishing bag, I've poked myself several times and switched to nippers. I also have Loon Outdoors Rogue Mitten Scissor Clamps but have been disappointed with them. They have difficulty cutting finesse or fine braid.This seems to be a problem with many scissors, even my Fiskars. They only work if I pull the line taut first. https://loonoutdoors.com/products/rogue-mitten-scissor-clamps?srsltid=AfmBOoqe36MxkYxh9kW8IqoQh8eaIyWI1PPcDHxOm_2wa2y26mHES5or

You'll be well pleased. Works exactly as advertised. I take it a step further and smooth over the cracks with a precision soldering iron. Seems to make the connection/repair a bit more robust. When heated this way, the plastic is its own glue.

Check these out. More cost effective and more color combos. https://bacustombaits.bigcartel.com/product/bladed-grass-jig

I can help! I'm the same way. Hate heavy, greasy feeling. And fair skin means I burn to a crisp. Try Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence. Worth the price and effort to get it!! It feels like..nothing. It's SPF50 and PA++++, the highest level of UVA/UVB blocking. It was a game changer in my perception of what a sunscreen could and should be.

I bet the big one would be great on Free Rig or Neko.

I warned about using UPS earlier in this thread (or another) due to their absurd brokerage fee. And it doesn't matter if you buy the baits from Canada and they are made in China, Japan, etc...you're still paying tariffs. Was there any upside due to the strong US dollar?

I use a 3". And I'm extremely fond of the Raid Fish Roller 3". And what an exquisite bait it is! It was designed for strolling, so it flashes when rolled. The colors change markedly when rolled and it appears to flash. And the tail is ridiculously "wiggly"...the type that wiggles in hand all by itself when you hold it by the head. Eyes are excellent and flash. Attention to detail off the charts for a small bait. I've use it both on the Flashback Mini (since the Flashback is essentially a hover stroller) and on the plain Micro. I have no complaints whatsoever. Ok..price. Maybe.

Caught this one in 32 feet of water

Well, I gave it a try today...and it did nothing. Before and after, no difference.

Any small, digital scale (the cheaper cost the better) is more than sufficient for what you need.

Those new EWG hooks for Elaztech work as advertised.