RRocket

I think XZone did this with their "309" color....an accidental color.

Let me know how you like it.

I definitely thumps more and is more durable which is important. It also collapses better than the Bellows Gill, particularly if the fish bites from the sides. Hooksets were better/easier vs Bellows Gill. I personally use the 3.8 Bellows Shad. I prefer the thinner profile as well as lighter weight for my lighter rods. But if you have the gear to throw it...you need to give it a try! There are several good videos on this bait including one with the designer.

For s coupler of the ones not in your bag, I'll add some thoughts. The Flick Shake is spectacular on a wacky drop shot. Probably the best drop shot bait I've used. In the color Cola to be specific. The Hira Tailor is a special bait. The attention to detail is amazing and the colors are the best I've encountered on a plastic bait. Because of the segmented body, the light reflects differently and the bait changes color. Whether it does anything for actually catching fish is unlikely...but it's beautiful to behold. I've tried numerous times to photograph this and fail every time. Alas, it's a bit too heavy for me with my preferred Light rods, so I don't use it these days. But my observation remains: this is an all star. I carry 2 sizes of Dolive Stick. 3.5 and 4.5 Coastal fisherman are wise to the Dolive Stick and it's a borderline legendary bait now in that application. Many stories similar to this: https://www.henry-gilbey.com/blog/the-osp-dolive-stick-what-the-hell-is-it-about-this-lure-that-makes-it-so-lethal-for-bass And yes, I use the Fat version. Specifically with a Duo Realis Spin Hook.

Great question. Because I use it as a trailer on smaller bladed jigs, it's the small size, 3". Also note that I use the Spunk Shad Neko rigged too. And I've rigged it both ways: Hook on the back and hook on the side. Both offer different actions. Here's an excellent video showing the action rigged both ways

Ok. Here's a few. DoLive Beaver DoLive Stick for a thin profile baitfish (or worm). Has an incredible weightless rocking. Or you can fish it like a worm (wacky). Or jerk bait. Or trailer. Or drop shot. You can also "tune" the fall depending on where you hook it. So, so versatile with great action. This is a big under the radar bait IMO. If I could only put 2 baits in my bag, the Dolive Beaver and Stick would be them due to versatility. I could cover most techniques competently with just these 2 if I had to. Keitech Swim Impact for paddle tail. However, if I'm fishing the Free Rig I much prefer the DoLive Shad because of the keeled bottom. A Keitech tail kinda collapse on the drop and it falls like a rock whereas the keeled bottom of the Dolive Shad glides on the weightless drop while the tail continues to paddle. So this one "depends" on how you fish a paddletail the most. Geecrack Bellows Shad for a small bluegill profile. Great on Free Rig or Neko. Raid Hira Tailor for a large bluegill profile. Deps Cover Scat. Finesse worm: Jackall Flick Shake. Full size Neko worm: I'm still working through these but my current bests are: Xzone Deception Worm and Netbait T-Mac. Nod to T-Mac I think. bladed jig trailers: erratic.action trailer: Spunk Shad. Less action: a) Zako or b) Gambler Komodo Jr. I'm inclined to choose the Zako here as tops because it's also excellent on a Neko Rig.

I have no idea what that chart represents.

I use a colour often found in JDM baits: Scuppernong. It's red-ish And it works. I use it often.

Anything specific or for a specific technique or application?

I'm glad I've never felt this way!!

I don't think it's better for just a normal lip hook....because I think for the typical lip hook anything can be used...even fingers. It's "equal" in that case. No advantage. Maybe a tiny bit easier/faster because you just squeeze a trigger? But it's better for deep and I think it grabs and secures trebles better. So 2 out of 3 in practical usage.

First, if you don't know how, learn how to unhook a gut hooked fish through the gills. This can be done with most any set of pliers. It's easy and effective. After that? In your case I'd select a hook extractor with the T handles (or L handles). You can get them in short (4") or sky's the limit length. They can be used for deep hooked fish because they can rotate the hook (see video) like you would with a plier extraction. And for trebles? Well they really grab the hook tight and your fingers are FAR away from peril. So I'd go that way for you. I don't use large trebles, so I like a plain, simple UnhookR. And everyone who fishes? Buy a DHUKR for the boat or bag. It's a hook remover for humans. Literally the difference between packing it in and possibly going to the hospital vs. plucking it out and not even thinking twice about continuing to fish the rest of the day. You'll hopefully never need it, but if you do.....

Is this for deep hooked bass, or just lip hooked? What would the primary use be?

If that's the case, why not a dedicated hook removal tool? Works in the lip..works for gut hook.

That's been my issue. Or lost. For the $40-$50 these can be had for, I quite like them. There's 3-4 styles with magnification up to 2.5x

This

I must have missed the glasses with built in bi-focal/readers for us old guys!! LOL 😆 I'm currently using KastKing Ellijay (with readers) and they've been quite good! And reasonably priced to boot.

They didn't bother my Plano Edge boxes.

Depending on where you live, that means bass season just opened!! LOL 😆 Last weekend in June is season opener here. November 30 th last day of season.

Oddly, the only thing she'll pick up a rod for is....Channel Catfish. Otherwise, she just comes along and enjoys the ride and weather, snaps photos, videos, etc She packs a picnic/cooler every time. I call her my CFO: Chief Feeding Officer! And when I say "Net!", she snaps right to it like a pro. I am really fortunate to have such a great fishing partner. Oh...and she's like a drug dealer because every year she says "Let's get a bigger boat! ". LOL 😆

There is no budget per se. Wife and I are responsible with money and trust each other not to bankrupt the household with silly purchases. For example, my most extravagant personal purchase ever didn't happen until I was 50, and it was $1000. I also feel extremely fortunate that she wants to be an active participant in my fishing adventures, so money for the boat, gas, etc is for "us" rather than just me.

Excellent point..I also do the same. However, I have run into supply issues, particularly color availability. Of course this is partially my fault for using JDM baits. Even so, this has been an issue for me with this method.

Correct!

It's not "incorrect". It's the actual rate (as decided by markets) vs expected rate (rate at which you, a private citizen, can actually buy it for). This is true for oil, precious metals, currencies, etc I live in Canada and have never actually got the actual price when buying US dollars, either. There's always a bit of a difference and that's just the way currency exchange works.

Spectacular!