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IMO, the Dolive Stick is incredibly under rated. It's extremely versatile and fills more than one role in my bag. It rocks more than a Senko on the drop IMO. So this is a Senko replacement for me. With an EWG. Or Wacky it. The first video shows the Fat version, but the regular ones behave the same. Then with an EWG, you can fish it weightless like a fluke. And any time you add in a pause...it does the rocking thing on the fall. A good example is shown in second video. On the larger Sticks, you can tune how it drops via 3 different hook exit points. I fish it on a Free Rig in a manner that combines both techniques. And because it's a pintail design, I also use it as a bladed-jig trailer. There's just so many ways it can be used.

Not sure exactly where this belongs, but it's a piece of tackle to me! I've always been a "car nut" and "fishing nut" so I had to be sure I had at least one car that could transport my gear. Even so, a couple of my 7 footers will reach to just about the visors. Putting the rods in or out is done carefully. I generally fish several locations a day (if I'm not in the boat), and so this process is repeated multiple times. I wanted something easier. To that end, I've been using the Sumo Suction Mount rod holder. This was originally for long fly rods and the fly fisherman trust these holders with their expensive rods. So I figured they should be just fine with my bass rods. Further research confirmed this. The mounting couldn't be easier. Just make sure both sides are clean. Press down and lock. Mounting done. I prefer the hood-to-windshield mount. Makes it easy to put rods in and out. At first I was a bit fussy on how I'd mount the bases. But the mount is completely articulating, so I just stick it on and adjust with the knobs as needed. These can also be mounted to It holds 4 spinning rods just fine. I generally only take 2 for fishing around the shorelines. I've tested it to 60mph, and all was well. I've seen videos of people doing 100+.! The longest haul was about 45 minutes. I'm not sure I'd use these on a multiple hour journey even though I think the unit is up to the task. I think it's really made for short(ish) jaunts. And at that it excels. The rods take seconds to put in or out and they are held in place securely until your next spot. I also put these on a full size luxury sedan and it was aces! If you're looking for slick and convenient way to hold some rods for your ride, I highly recommend these.

I love the Free Rig, which means I love the Dolive Beaver. And one of my best performing colors is exactly what you describe: Green Pumpkin belly with a Black Blue Flake top. It's called Gorimiso Black. I also use the same color with the Dolive Stick.

That's because YOU as the importer pay the tariffs once it crosses into the US and not the originating country. So as soon as whatever you buy crosses into the US, you will pay the tariffs on whatever country made the item. In this case most likely China or Japan.

Reminds me of the Keitech Swingbait a bit..

So good!

It depends what I'm doing. On a Free Rig? OSP Dolive Shad. Because of the keeled bottom, the OSP doesn't nose down immediately as most swimbaits do. Instead it glides impressively. On a jig head, underspin, etc? XZone Swamner

That set up should work just fine IF you stuff a piece of Senko into the tube

In addition, the fine eyelets have less friction and allow the weight to sink more freely which helps with separation. Now if one has a load of weights they'd like to sub into Free Rig action (or want even faster weight separation) buy one of these Fuji weight clips. I have the orange one.

I've never been plagued by this, fortunately.

I'm slightly different. I'll be using this exclusively on top water baits and seem to miss some regardless (either they whiff on the strike or come off half way home). It remains to be seen, but I don't think this will affect my confidence in any way. This fish are juuust starting to become active in my area...So my testing is about to begin.

Looks like that Goby has taken a beating too!

I use it quite a bit, actually. And quite a bit like a search bait. As pointed out, there's certain timelines when they work better than others but I use it in a search bait type of way to quickly cover water...much the same as I fish my bladed jigs in the deeper waters. I especially use it when grass is pushing up higher in the water column. Lots of grass here. I fish it anywhere I'd use a bladed jig. They are my 1-2 punch for covering water. Then of course I use it like a typical topwater in several ways when that season arrives.. Pop it, walk it, burn it, crawl it. Especially deadly along shorelines, grassline, weedlines. The typical topwater areas. These topwater crankbaits offer me far more versatility than I initially expected. My current favorite is the OSP Buzzn' Heavy Hitter. The most versatile of the bunch I own. I love the Buzzjet Jr. And my Spro rat. But the OSP does more for me. Especially the ability to cover water faster.

I really like the Simms Tributary Sling. I wrote about it at length here.

Love my OSP Buzzn' Heavy Hitter!! OSP makes top shelf stuff. Buy with confidence.

I've fully embraced this method of fishing, inspired by Japanese bank fishing and my love of JDM tackle/techniques. I'm sufficiently confident in my abilities and techniques that if I can't catch fish with the minimal baits I use...the fish won't be caught that day with anything. As best as possible, the baits need to have flexibility and be able to be used for more than one technique. Of course this isn't always possible. But IF a bait can be used for multi techniques or multi use, all the better. Also, I'm constantly testing new baits to see if one can "knock out" and replace a bait I'm currently using. Sometimes this can be for bait performance (most often) or ease of availability and cost (a frequent problem with some JDM baits). So here's what I use and why: 1) bladed jig. This is used for covering water. But the specific bladed jig I use can also be fished like a jig. However, I primarily fish it like a bladed jig 2) Wake bait. Also used for covering water/top water bite. 3) Due to flexibility in presentation, I fish the Free Rig. As such, 3 styles of bait are important for me here. a) Bluegill/flat fish profile: I'm currently using the Raid Hira Tailor for this purpose. But have used the Geecrack Bellows Shad, OSP Dolive SS Gill, etc in this role. The Hira has far more thump. To that end, I want to try the Bottom Up Gimmy but have not done so yet. b) Flapping appendage/craw bait: OSP Dolive Beaver is the gold standard on the Free Rig. Recently, I have been going back and forth with the Raid Egu Chunk due to the massive vibration and thump which is a consideration due to our always dirty water. c) Minnow/small bait fish. OSP Dolive Stick. This is, by far, the most flexible bait I use. It can do nearly everything. Trailer, drop shot, swimbait, jerk bait, wacky rigged, etc 4) Worm/Stickbait The Dolive Stick works here. But for an actual worm, I use the Flick Shake. It is my primary Drop Shot bait wacky rigged and excels. I also use it for actual Flick Shaking technique 5) Poop Bait: I have fully embraced the high density/high gravity baits and bug baits. It is a primary technique and I use it every single outing. Despite what people think, this is a very flexible bait. Fish it like a Senko, punch it, backslide it, walk the dog, drag it, soak it like a Ned, use in heavy cover etc Deps Cover Scat remains my standard..but I think I *may* have found a replacement. But it's going to need to be exceptional to knock out the Cover Scat. 6) Ned: I fish this infrequently these days due to using poop in this role. But I think the Duo Realis Wriggle ND Slim is the best tiny Ned stick bait (sub 3"). Even when soaking, it quivers beautifully. 7) Swimbait: sometimes they just want a swimbait. Keitech Fat Swing Impact is my standard. Though if I'm fishing for Smallies, I use a Goby-style bait for this purpose. That's more or less it. I've explained in other threads how I carry this for fishing with my minimalist bag/gear set up. Good luck and don't look back!

The guys at Salt Strong did a review of those hooks.

Booyah makes one. 1/4oz. Readily available on Amazon

Drop shot...

I use these: https://www.flambeauoutdoors.com/Fishing/Hard-Storage/Waterproof-Satchels/super-1/2-satchel-with-zerust

Bottom Up ChiBeeble is the answer...

I think so too. Particularly when they are on/near beds, I get a lot of side swipes or half hearted hits and bumps.

Well a bunch of fish attractants are oil based...wonder if I quick application would slow rust?

What about red feathers on a treble?

I really do love JDM! Bug (Mushi) baits off all types continue to be exceedingly popular in Japan. Even winning tournaments. But they are largely ignored here. Lure Magazine's Bait of the Year was a bug type bait...and I'll be throwing it this year.