RRocket

You can get these most anywhere online. It's called the Dolive Beaver. This is the 3.5 I believe. https://thehookuptackle.com/products/dolive-beaver https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/OSP_DoLive_Beaver_Creature_Bait/descpage-OSPDV.html

Used to be the same with me and my chatterbaits. It's like crack for pike.

Pictures?

Please keep us updated on what you decide to try!

How about 2 rods because Shimano USA wouldn't sell them to me?

I have not found that to be the case. Shipping costs from Japan usually outweigh any savings. Do you shop someplace where this isn't the case?

Photos added

Z-man TRD TicklerZ are tough to beat in this application IMO. I much prefer this 4 piece split tail vs. the tail less regular TRD. Many, many colors and nearly indestructible. Flat out produces and a single bag could last you the season. I've used June Bug and The Deal the most. The Deal in particular is a great bait fish color. If you want something that flaps more or can be used as a Ned swimbait give the Z-man Baby Goat a try! The legs flap on the drop very nicely!! And you can mount either way..legs flapping more like craw claws or rotate the bait 90 degrees and now you have bait fish like swim appendages. BONUS: Since these float, if you rig with a small EWG hook, these serve double duty as a fantastic mini topwater toad! Those tiny legs make a shocking amount of ruckus. Yamamoto Yamatanuki 2.5" has been excellent for Ned style fishing. The little tail thing bobs around, particularly when the weight hits the bottom or you give the line a tug or shake. Geecrack Bellows Stick 2.8" This has more of a slender baitfish profile than the Bellows Gill does. Excellent, excellent action. Can throw it weightless too. No photo. But you can see on Ned here: DoLive Beaver. This is a superb bait and surely one of the best I've used. Now I use it primarily on the Free Rig, but the wild flapping action works well with a Ned! Even the slightest bump while on the bottom (or slightest current) will have the arms moving. But it's the unique flapping on the drop (or the swim) that's the star here. Also, I put a 3.5" Spunk Shad on and was VERY surprised at the lively action on a Ned. Very bait fish look. Various photos on 1/16th Ned head

Nice!! Looks like fun. Are the chatterbait home made?

I think the bait you use matters as well. Some just work better on a Free Rig.

Yes it is. It's a great little bait. Smallies absolutely crush the DoLive Beaver too.

I have been wanting to get these in my hands for awhile and it's been difficult. Finally got some and have been messing around with them. This is a really nice hook! Owner TwistLock Light. I got both 1/0 and 2/0 sizes. It's ideal for thec smaller, somewhat fragile JDM baits I love throwing. So here's a bunch of pictures of some rigged baits, including some Elaztech just to see how those would rig. It's a bit fussy with those and that was without making any sort of pilot hole beforehand. Quite impressed with these little guys! I think my favourite EWG at the moment.

Excellent hook. Have used it. I also use the SV-46 often. A Chebi Rig is another option.

Indeed. I still can't believe all the skirts at Siebert! Also..If you need strands, feel free to thread your own. Agreed with the EWG stuff. I used the Z-man Texas Finesse eyes. It's was my gateway to the Jika.

Crappie and ice fishing are both largely fished vertical jigging. I use the same technique for walleye jigging. Hover strolling isn't typically a pure vertical presentation as you're doing long casts...quite unlike crappie or ice fish jigging.

The twitching of the Hover Stroll can be much more walk the dog...while keeping it at the same depth. Difficult to do on long casts with other plastic presentations. Much more action while being more horizontal at a greater distance. With less effort. YMMV.

It's been my understanding that the placement of the weight is key to the technique and allows the bait to be kept at a constant depth with minimal effort and excellent action. As pointed out, many pros have had outstanding results using the technique, so there's perhaps something else there for the success. No doubt the placement of the weight farther back than a traditional jig allows for a different sink and look too I'd imagine. I also think the technique may be a "work smarter, not harder" type of thing as well.

That looks great! The size reminds me of the Kylebooker ones a bit. https://a.co/d/6QW4tEc FWIW, take a bar of soap and rub it along the zipper...that will make it work smoother until it's worn in.

Recently did this over the course of a couple of years...with tackle and baits. Was great fun!

Why not just use/make a Jika Rig? If you have hooks, weights and split rings, you're all set!

Interesting. Here, we call those large ones June beetles. Junebugs are interchangeably used with Mayfly. Aka "fish fly" or I've heard them referred to as "shad flies" in some parts of the US. In Ohio, I've heard them referred to as "Canadian Soldiers"

Have not used it...nor have I seen this for sale here. Thanks for the heads up!

You use it?

Although I'm very dedicated to a minimalist fishing approach and have my primary bait set chosen, it's never etched in stone. So I feel obligated to test new baits that correspond to my main presentation methods. So I'm going to use the Geecrack Bellows Stick in 2024. In 2.8" and 3.8". The 8" size looks spectacular but it's far too large for my ultralight fishing. These look like they'd be quite good on a Free Rig or Jika, my main presentations. I sometimes do drop shot (so fun! ) and these look like they'd work well here, too. And I'm a lover of the Chatterbait MiniMax and I think these have a use here, too. So Geecrack Bellows Stick for me! Anyone throw this of the regular?

But do you leave the same amount of bones as your buddy does? My impression is you probably do a better job because it was noteworthy to you on how many bones there were. So I think people have varying degrees of touch. Myself? No touch at all. As for my dad? Maybe it's possible he did it for so long (almost daily) that perhaps he has a muscle memory of sorts re: bones.