RRocket

He appears to be talking about surface rust from storage, in which case there is little degradation. Certainly not to the point of failure. YMMV.

I frequently use a rust removal solution like Metal Rescue or Evaporust for rusted, found tools. Have also use it for small rusted bits in automobiles. Would work for any rusted metal bits. I also have a small ultrasonic cleaner for small stuff.

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/255752-minimalist-fishing/?do=findComment&comment=2999001

I wrote about my minimalist set up. Many of my items are dual use. For example, my wacky and drop shot hook are the same. The weights I use work for my free rig, drop shot, etc I'll get the link for you.

Do tell!

While I don't think this is a bait you were talking about, I have been using a plastic "poop" bait that's designed to walk sub surface. It's called the OSP Spinnuts. I'm using the smallest size because I'm fishing UL. But I've been having fun fishing it. There's a very small learning curve to figure out the appropriate rod movements to get the bait to walk, but once you do it's effective. Pretty versatile too. You can walk it near the bottom or further up the water column. But most of all, it feels a bit new and fun when I fish it. Also..I have no idea why these work so well..but they do.

Well? How'd it go?

Used chatterbaits and buzzbaits. Zilch. It's a lost cause here I'm afraid.

I think I'd add the Arrow if I fished deeper water as it's my understanding it sinks quickly.

Let us know how it goes! I'm telling you...FUN!

The reasons are usually production constraints. I often read of them being sold out in Japan and not being able to keep up. Even though they know the bait is good and will sell in other markets, that often requires capital investment to be able to adequately furnish the Japanese AND other large markets simultaneously. Have heard first hand of tackle shops being told "No" when they wanted to officially carry certain JDM tackle brands. Because some brands could barely keep up with their current customer base. I don't think some brands were prepared or willing for capital investments to expand to the North American market.

Thanks for the kind words! Glad you're having fun. I bought Mend-It for the first time to repair these. You can usually squeak an extra fish or two after a repair. Definitely my biggest dislike about JDM baits is their fragility...And cost.

Or How I Learned to Embrace The Poop. But terrible imagery , right? LOL ? First, I'm a dedicated ultralight bass fisherman with bias towards minimalism. I'm dedicated to a single rod and reel. Shimano Expride 264UL-2 paired with a Shimano Vanford 2000HG. I use mono and mostly use Sunline Supernatural in 4 or 6lb. Though I have been fooling around with Kastking's Tripolymer Advanced Monofilament most recently. I use finesse and light power finesse techniques. Using the above, it's just an absolute blast. And at the same time can get you into a Zen zone while concentrating on technique. It's my happy place. Since I'm keen on UL, I tend to follow the JDM scene as best I can since UL, BFS, Finesse is catered to well in bait offerings there. So I had heard of poop baits but resisted buying. Too expensive, too fragile, too stupid, etc. So I slept on them. And really wish I hadn't! I really wish I could have a "do over" with these as they have been some of the most fun and ridiculously productive baits I have used. I don't know why but these baits get bit. Hard. These baits are easily my "first cast, first fish" clubhouse leader. Multiple times in the season when no anglers were catching fish (I know because I talk to them all as I walk down the pier, dock, shoreline, etc) I had fish within minutes. Oftetimes first cast! So these work. Flat out. So based on all of that, I wanted to investigate further. So I've tried a few different poop baits and that's what I wanted to share. First up, is the CoverScat 2.5" by Deps. This is the highest quality in design and looks IMO. It is the heaviest and most substantial of the small bait sizes I used in this class. The flakes seem nicer and it has nice attention to detail. The little nub to bury the hook tip is a nice touch, even though it's fragile. It gets blown out pretty quickly. I rig this with a 2/0 either a Ryugi Infini EWG or a VMC Fastgrip EWG Worm Hook. I think I prefer the VMC here as the hook tip angles into the bait a bit more (like a Gamagatsu G Lock). Zero problems setting hook. Seems to set itself such are the bites. I fish this as I would a wacky rig. Let it drop to bottom (where it frequently gets inhaled before it reaches bottom). Wait a second or two. And then 2 quick pops and let it sink back down. Those pops produce very, very erratic movement. A bit like a jerk bait. But the result is so easy, so simple, so fun! It also skips incredibly well for dock or cover banging. Such is my success with this bait, I no long fish a wacky worm. I MUCH prefer this for the time being. Next up is the Yamamoto Yamatanuki 2.5". With the floppy tail, this looks a bit more like a fish profile in the water whereas the Coverscat looks more like a fat bug or clawless crayfish or something. And because of that tail action I tend to fish this one more like a Ned rig imparting action into the tail via rod twitches and shaking. This done while slowly "crawling" the bait through cover produces some vicious bites. As with the Coverscat you can fish it like a wacky and it works well at that too. But again, more baitfish style movement IMO. Because of the tail, you'll need a smaller hook. I use a 1/0 EWG. This bait has DEEP hook slots. I prefer using ringed hooks as much as possible, so that's what I use with these. And finally we have the OSP Spinnuts 50mm (about 2"). This is the smallest and lightest of trio. Used the same ringed 1/0 hook. This one is note worthy because you can walk the dog subsurface. Now I could do that with the Coverscat, but nowhere as readily as this. It seems to almost spin around it's axis. And for this 2 tone color it would almost make like a flashing with how fast the spin was. I immediately wished they'd make a heavily sparkled one as it would positively light it up! And maybe some tiny rattles? The dogwalking is compact and aggressive. I used this chartreuse belly version in dirty water. With the "flashing" and water displacement of the compact spins, it did well getting located by bass. It's an angry little nugget! I would go thusly: twitch, twitch, twitch twitch...pause. There was just something so fun with these..maybe the simplicity? No weights. Nothing extra. Just fish! And did these catch fish? Yep. Lots. And lots. Oftentimes when nothing else worked. So yea, I like these. I also liked that these 3 baits could be used in lieu of a wacky, Ned or jerkbaits. Sorta. But if you're on the fence with these...give them a try! These aren't just great fish producers, these are fun!

Looks like a great hook!

When I was using them for this purpose, #1

Great info. Have used some Decoy stuff and liked it. Is this the hook? I'm currently using Ryugi Infini and it's real good. I too am using the Infini. Really like it. I thought they were a bit smaller than expected. Thought it was just me! You confirm what I observed. Even so, excellent hook and good value. Will be tough to knock these out of my rotation.

I can't find it locally, and the online places here are always sold out...So I was looking for an alternative to hold me over until I could get the Mend It

I had the same problem. Difficulty going over the barb and/or tearing as it passed over the barb. I now use Bait Buttons when needed. Far easier, far more convenient. https://www.baitbuttons.com/ Decoy also makes silicone stoppers for the hook for the purpose, but I have not used those. Decoy L-11

That's a rabbit hole I haven't gone down...yet

IIRC, in the book "Knowing Bass: The Scientific Approach to Catching More Fish" the most bit baits were Black and White

Nothing. Nada. Zip. Once again. I do have an anecdote, though I have no idea of the significance. Maybe someone will have insight..or not. Before heading home I stopped by the harbour. Was going to try some skipping. Several of the boats have what I would call "mood lights" shining into the water from the swim platform. One had a blue light and I could see a HUGE bass lazily cruising in/out of the light. I threw everything under the moon. The bass investigated every single thing. Very slowly, very lazily, very deliberate. Just checking things out. No sign of urgency, no aggression..Nothing. Just a lazy stroll. No idea what any of this means, if anything. I do wonder what, if anything, would have triggered a strike. I must admit....I got REALLY excited the first time the fish approached my bait....but no, it was just trolling me! LOL ?

I agree. I too really like black paired up with purple...or a purple that's so dark it looks nearby black. Black with blue flake has produced nicely for me too. And depending on the bait, solid black. I just bought some Cover Scat and definitely wanted it in black. It looks like a fat, juicy bug or perhaps a leech. It just looks like some invertebrate a bass will chomp. And boy, do they! For the waters I fish, black colors outfish green pumpkin by a huge margin.

I'm an ultralight/finesse specialist, so no. No kidding, eh? Sounds miserable. And the spiders here were of the web type.

Just got some take out and I'm going to try again! BTW, have you ever Texas rigged a Sweet and Sour Chicken ball or wacky rigged Chop Suey...because it might come to that! LOL ? Mosquitos aren't terribly bothersome. Are they bad out your way? What I did notice was spiders!! So many spiders everywhere after dark!!

Not. A. Single. Bite. Again.