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I'm sure you could do Drop Swimming without too much hardship. It's just like fishing a swimbait...except with a drop shot to keep the bait at a specific level above the bottom.

I'm 100 percent finesse. I don't own a rod heavier than "Light". I have 4 rods, all light spinning. -Shimano Expride Poison Adrena for my Neko. -Simano Expride Poison Adrena for my Free Rig -Shimano Expride for my light bladed jig (1/4oz and less). -Shimano Expride for my poop/bug/mushi baits. These cover everything I need. The Free Rig in particular gets multiple use due to the incredible flexibility of the rig: Jigging, dragging, swimbaits, etc and of course Free Rigging.

This. Have done the same and can also recommend. And while this wasn't asked, below is the best cushion I've used when Free Rigging.

Shocking that the record in the 4lb line class is a 573lb Marlin. And somehow only took 18 minutes to land.

Yes. Use a Jackall Super Break Blade. Snag guard on the bottom....that actually works.

I use these on my wake baits https://gamakatsu.com/product/crankbait-circle/

I often use my bladed jig tio mimic a Goby. Just ticking along the bottom or just above. Then kill it and glide like a Goby. Very effective.

For extremely snaggy areas, I can suggest 2 excellent options: The Super Break Blade design is meant to be thrown into heavy cover. It has guards on both the top, and more importantly, the bottom. It is remarkable that I haven't lost a single one in heavy cover. For 2 seasons now. If you prefer something closer to a jig, the Decoy Zero Dan Flash behaves like a bladed Jika. It drops STRAIGHT down, so it will activate appendages aggressively, such as the Dolive Beaver. Barring that, a fish style bait (Fish Roller) rocks back and forth. Essentially hover strolling with no rod effort. And of course, the EWG makes it weedless.

Well done and a fitting tribute.

While some may disagree, I don't think it matters that much. The goal for many is to reel juuuuust fast enough to activate the blade.

If you want to fish them on the bottom you certainly can! You can fish this bait as low or as high in the column as needed.

Just wanted to update: I've been consistently fishing this bait and it produces! But it's far more versatile than I assumed originally. First, the shimmy and rock for such a short, chunky bait is incredible when hooked with an EWG. It's easily equivalent to a wacky rig...although no sub 4" bait I've used looks this good in that department. To get a similar shimmy from a wacky worm, you'd need a 5-6" worm. Also, because it's Texas hooked, extremely weedless. Because of the tail action, it looks nearly like a jerk bait when fished as such. But with a far more pronounced wiggle on the drop/pause. Because of the tail action, you can stroll it. Weightless. Which is something quite unique. So at this point, this is a great, versatile bait and it's definitely staying in my rotation. It's really good! As is the case with some of these JDM baits, it could be more durable. But given the incredible action, versatility and ability to cast a mile...this con is easily over looked for me. Good look at the shimmy below: https://www.dkthehuman.com/slowtube/?l=true&le=29&ls=24&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DudDLGvNDMjQ&r=1

I have 4 spinning rods and that's it. 1) Poop Bait Family 2) Neko 3) Free Rig 4) Bladed Jig and Utility

I have L in both regular Expride and Poison Adrena. I throw Neko on both and up to a 1/4 oz Free Rig on either. They handle it fine.

There's some finesse options (Raid Japan Ghost Wire Next Level) with fiber optic or or thin titanium wire if you ever change your mind. Kinda spendy though.

I have been fishing all manner of poop/bug/tentacled baits for awhile now. Although I fish the Coike Shrimp more than the "original", I've used a simple method with the Coike that works for me. I use a Decoy DS-15 Sinker Coil, and that goes in the bottom..with some effort. I then place the hook so it's at a 45 degree angle to the bottom weight. If it's at 90 degrees, I don't get that extra bonus tumble; when moving the Coike then stopping abruptly, it just drops because weight is already facing bottom. But when at a 45, the Coike has to right itself first before dropping. And I like that little extra move. Fish seem to like it too.

No, but I use Light or Ultra Light spinning...so same thing-ish... And yes, loads of fun! We also have HUGE Freshwater Drum and huge SMB...and you're likely to catch either while fishing for walleye...

Me too! Dolive Beaver and Dolive Stick are my all time greats Free Rig baits.

I don't think I can participate!! I've eaten stuff that would make a billy goat barf. And while some of them where definitely not my favorite, I'd likely eat all of them again. So I'm not sure there's anything I wouldn't eat again. And I have my fat holding tank to prove it! LOL 😆 So I struggle to think of what, if anything, I wouldn't eat again. Side note: when I was young and in the service, I picked up the habit of eating cold canned goods straight from the can. I still prefer cold Chef Boyardee Ravioli this way vs warm. If I'm going to be out for a long day with no prospect of eating "real" food, I'll bring a can or two along to sustain me for the day. Unfortunately, my wife finds this behavior borderline revolting. LOL 😆 Fortunately, this has also resulted in her bringing a spectacularly stocked Snacklebox (3700 size I think) when we are in the boat. LOL 😆 I recently caught a 4.8 lbs LMB, on the poop. As has been noted, our LMB and SMB provincial records are both the same here..roughly 10 lbs. And the LMB here are small and large ones scarce.. But you'll regularly catch 6+ pounders SMB here...So I think that's the only way up for me!! For those that don't know, the Ontario bass season doesn't start until the 3rd or 4th week of June (depending on Zone), so you aren't able to catch those fat, chunky pre-spawn LMB bass legally. Also, it is ILLEGAL to post pictures of and weigh accidental catches before the season starts...So heads up to our American friends who might accidentally catch one here when the season is closed. You are absolutely guaranteed to catch some when fishing for Walleye, Freshwater Drum or Perch. End of PSA. This is my first post since the site is back up! Can you tell from my long, windbag post that I missed you guys??

There's a video of a guy fishing one in a pond, I believe. 😆 And he caught fish.

Great colour!

It's an all time great on the Free Rig. Works well on Jika too.

#8 : Fish Arrow Flash-J Slim 1.5" Fish Arrow Flash-J 1" Keitech Custom Leech 3" Ice fishing 1" swimbait #4 is the Geecrack recommended hook for the 2.8" Bellows stick. These look like a fat grub ready to explode!

I haven't rigged those in particular, but these style of bait are great on a Free Rig or a Jika.

Haven't found one yet that doesn't fog my glasses!! LOL 😆