RRocket

I had a great time throwing a crawler (Jackall Micro Pompadour) this year. They're just so much fun to throw!

I have one in baby bass color...my only Heddon.

This is important IMO. I've seen people hookup and instead of REALLY getting into the backbone, they stay more into the tip..losing fish.

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Colors added:

Agreed. Fieder claimed better hookup than pegged T-Rig due to weight being out of the way..

I only use EWG. It makes a really compact footprint on the way down. Some people can explain it get better than I. I predominantly used it as a "beefy drop shot" but I did throw it in some cover that I'd otherwise not even dare and it worked as advertised. It drops straight down in a very compact manner. If you look in this video around the 4min mark, you can see it on the drop. Good video in general, BTW. There's also a fantastic video of Seth Fieder fishing it for the first time. Some really good insights there too.

Deps Cover Scat continues to be one of my favorites to throw and I have one always tied on. Was really pleased with the availability of the new 3" size since I wanted bigger than 2.5" but the 3.5" was too heavy for my Light gear. I fish the Free Rig lots, so I experiment here often. The Raid Hira Tailor is probably the best of the bunch I tested. The Raid Egu Chunk was most surprising. On the lift, the rod tip vibrates nearly like a chatterbait. It's really something. Since the Keitech Fat Impact is uninspiring on the weightless drop, I wanted a better performing swimbait for the Free Rig. OSP Dolive Shad fits the bill and glides beautifully due to the keeled belly. Not sure it's as spectacular as the Dolive Stick though. Fished the Flick Shake lots using the actual Flick Shake worms/tackle. Caught plenty! However, the real winner was the Flick Shake worm wacky rigged on a Dropshot using a Nishine DS hook. This thing gets bit!! Surely my biggest, most pleasant surprise. Continue to have great success with the Chatterbait Mininax in 1/4oz I think those are the highlights.

That thing would get blown up by pike here....

I really REALLY wish this wasn't the case as I'm a "night person" and would gladly fish all night if the fish were there.

I'm of the belief that in some areas, night fishing for bass just isn't a thing. I have tried repeatedly for weeks and many, many hours. And still haven't caught a bass at night. This despite the fact I've tried every lure/technique recommended by forum members. This is also in areas where I catch many fish during the morning/day/evening. But at night? Lost cause. I've caught catfish, walleye, Bowfin. But not bass. I honestly believe there are some areas where fish have no interest at all feeding at night. For whatever the reason. You can read about some of my travails here

It punches cover significantly better than a T-Rig IMO.

Ya. I had a "World series of fishing rigs" I did over the course of several seasons. My "winner" ended up being the Jika Rig which is essentially a leaderless Tokyo. I really enjoyed fishing the Tokyo but preferred the Jika for my purposes. It's still a popular rig in Japan (often called a Punchshot Rig) and there's some specialized tackle that's truly great. Varivas Rock Gritter ringed hooks are great. Just clip a weight on and go with a Jika. Want a Tokyo? Clip on the dropper line. Want a Dropshot to punch into cover? Add on the LONG leader. It's just a great system if a bit specialized. I ended up making my own hybrid system where I could do fast hook/weight changes without reties for my Jika. And I kept a metal dropper handy "just in case" I wanted a Tokyo. Please let us know how you make out. I think you'll enjoy fishing the Tokyo. I did! https://www.varivas.fishing/product/rock_on-ring-gritter-hook/ https://www.varivas.fishing/product/through-down-drop-shot-leader/#:~:text=The VARIVAS Through-Down Drop,with less problem with tangling.

Because of this thread, I went and purchased a Deps Buzzjet Jr. Am VERY excited to try it!

Welcome to the club! LOL 😆

Same. No issues

Just walked in the door with a Megabass Levante "Whipsnake" rod...

I still use it quite a bit in the spring at a location I fish. I typically use a Free Rig but for a period the bottom gets REALLY slimy and fouls the tiny eyelet of my Free Rig weight rendering it a bit useless. My baits also get fouled. So during this time I use a Tokyo to keep my baits off the slimy bottom. As has been mentioned this drops extremely vertical so you can really target areas knowing it will drop straight down exactly where it hits the water.

For you seasoned A-riggers...has anyone tried Raid Japan Ghost Wire? It's a new type of A-rig designed for strolling/hover strolling.

I am not an A-Rig fisherman. However, predators (in general) often seek out weak and/or inured prey. In other words an "easy" meal is preferred. And I would say that the longer center arm makes one of the baits appear to be slower and lagging behind....and weaker. And therefore may prompt more bites.

I had a rather peculiar rod failure on my Shimano Expride 264UL-2 piece As you can see in the photos, the failure occurred where the solid tip meets the hollow blank; roughly 18". Having owned many Exprides, this is the first such failure I've seen. I believe this to be, perhaps, a defect. However, my warranty period is done. I'd like to be able to purchase just the 2nd piece since the rod is in fine condition otherwise. Seems as shame to trash this otherwise wonderful rod just because the solid tip failure. And should a 264 tip not be available, I think most any Expride UL 2nd piece could put this rod back into use. This rod does have some sentimental value as It's the first rod my wife had bought for me. What does the collective think?

These are hysterical to fish! I second this. Your face will be sore from smiling!

Kinda deep for an underspin IMO. I'd throw a DropSwim in that situation.

100

Ha! Winter is here and the friends are stocking the freezer!