RRocket

Here? I have best success with purples, blues and blacks for LMB. The SMB here seem less fussy.

I LOVE the Dolive Beaver on a Free Rig. And you're not alone. Things that work well elsewhere get zero bites here. For example, green pumpkin is one of my least productive colors here...to the point that I don't even use it anymore. I'm most disappointed that night bass fishing doesn't work at all here.....which is heartbreaking because I'm a night person.

Put something in the bucket the minnows can use for cover. That helps as much...if not more...than having an aerator in there. I know it's hard to believe..but it's true. And keep a lid on the bucket too.

Yep, that's a definite issue. I've also had them slide off during a fight.

OSP DoLive Craw is great. Great Lakes Finesse Craw also great.(bite sized).

Please report back after testing!

I've been fishing the Neko Rig a great deal this year..every day to be exact. I've also been going through all the worms on the market (as much as practicable) to find the perfect Neko worm. And through all of this, it's become very apparent that there's a possibility of going through lots of bait and tackle fishing this method. I would have worms slip off or break in a single fish. Or have perfectly serviceable, good worms lost after a only a fish or two. And so the best methods to remedy this are using either the Geecrack Neko Hack or VMC Crossover Rings (or generic silicone tubing). But both still are imperfect. The Geeceack doesn't cover a lot of surface area on the worm even when using the Large size, so it has a tendency to pull through softer worms. And harder worms. Not so much when you're working it hard through vegetation but when you are setting the hook/fishing the fish is when the split happens. The VMC Crossover Ring is slick. But I have had rather annoying sliding off. And it didn't matter if it was sized down, either. The worm was either sliding off or splitting. I also noted sometimes the hook hole would split. Well I've been using a method recently that's working well enough that I thought I'd share. It offers the best of both methods. I'm not sure if this idea is unique, so I'd be happy to hear if anyone is using similar or even a more refined version. It's simple and cheap. You'll need silicone tubing (I'm using 5mm), Geecrack Neko Hacks (I buy in bulk 30 pack, size L) and you'll need a leather punch sized 1.5 mm. This is the secret sauce. Cost is about $5 First cut out a few silicone tubes. You can do as small or large as you like, but larger offers better surface area. I even made one the size of the worm's egg sack during my tests. Next, with the punch, press down the tubing and move the punch so it's dead center in the tubing. Lightly tap the punch with a hammer. It really takes no effort at all. Now put the tubing on the worm as you normally would. Now stick the Neko Hack through the worm via the pierced holes in the tubing. Done. This is much, much more durable. Fewer worm breaks. Worm can't slide off the tube because it's "pegged" with the Neko Hack. A nice improvement IMO.

I agree, Glenn. And unfortunately it's usually the working stiff that's going to be punished the most. I'm Canadian, so everyone knows about the tariff nonsense between our two countries. But beyond the tariffs, Canadians have been boycotting certain US products, most noticeably booze, vacations and visits to border towns. There are now at least 3 Kentucky distillery that are on the verge of bankruptcy..due to tariffs and "changing consumer attitudes" and border and vacation destinations are hurting. And the sad part is this was all preventable and unnecessary....

Yep! What a great little Jika rig. Those fine wire EWG are ridiculously sharp!

Megabass has a prop version too...

Their Flicker Spinner was my all time favorite! I'm sorry I have nothing to add to your question.

Oh, I did. I wouldn't take it personally as that wasn't the intention. That being said, as an engineer who traveled to factories the world over, the mere fact something is made in another country doesn't always mean quality is affected. In the case of Gamakatsu and your anecdote about the family being heavily involved, I have no doubt that the Thailand factory is operating using Japanese machines, using Japanese production techniques and QC, and turning out Japanese quality hooks. I did find it odd that I purchased some G-lock hooks in 2/0 and 3/0. The 3/0 made in Japan, the 2/0 in Thailand. No rhyme or reason. I would have expected, perhaps, that different lines were made at different factories. Not just different sizes.

That's 100% false.

Sure, why not? I do this all the time with Duo Realis Spin Hook (though not with the Bull Flat)

At Deps very own website, they recommend 5/0 for the 4.8"

Very nice! Love the brass.

Would love to see your handiwork...

Spectacular!!

Personally, I've eschewed using "regular" hollow body frogs and instead use soft plastic frogs or toads with single EWG for bank fishing. This helps with hookups IMO. And not having dual exposed hooks helps with the inevitable bad cast/trees/brush that's likely with bank fishing. My current favorite is the Tough Toad. It makes as little or as much commotion as you want. Darn near sounds like a Plopper at a certain retrieve speed. Skips incredibly. Can work it like a popper (it floats). It won't walk the dog though. The legs are quite stubby, so the hook makes it easily into the mouth. The hook channel is very deep, so the hook is very well protected without the need for texposing/skinhooking. The fish seem to hook themselves. It's also nearly indestructible and comes with hooks. I've been very, very pleasantly surprised with this bait and have nothing but praise for it. Here's a couple photos compared to the 4" Goat Toad.

Well....I'm in Canuckistan. But you're quite welcome here.

Yea, me too...generally. It's just so good. But I've been putting the work in with the Neko lately, so I've been Free Rigging a bit less

I have never caught a thing on a buzzbait. And I spent a lot of time trying. But throw a buzztoad in the same places? They eat it!! Have been fishing the Neko almost exclusively and have done very well with it.

Yep.

Nicely done. That finesse jig will get blasted!

Way too small for how I fish. It would be invisible in the vegetation and stain here. Something in the 6"+ range is working better here.