I think I am using a size 4 2x owner with a heavy splitring. Gammies will bend out on big fish. I dont trust them. I also dont like a big oll hook on the bottom. It gets snagged more and it takes away from the realism. I also embed on of the trebles into the belly so the hook is not hanging

After carefully considering this whole swim bait idea I've came to the conclusion that the bluegill is the bait for me to try on Toledo since they are an abundant food source. Matt thanks for the tip about the treble hood since I have been concerned with it just hanging out there for every snag around. I have a strong aversion to throwing an exposed hook in the areas I fish.

Actualy Burley you just stumbled onto one of my tricks. Alright I'll give it up because I am such a nice guy.

Disclamer: this might not be legal

So hypotheicly if you want to make a GREAT gill scent you would catch a halfdozzen gills and scrape off all thier slime and scales and put that in a babyfood jar. Next you would add a couple heaping tablespoons of petrolium jelly(vasaline) add about a teaspoon or 2 of salt and mix really well. This lube scent will stay on for a long time and smell just like a gill. The salt will keep it from spoiling.

No need to chop up the gills becuase thats a difernt smell than the outer slime. The scales will fall off in the water especialy when you get a bite and this is one trick that turnes followers into biters.

Plus you can eat the gills when your done

DONT add any kind of solvent. you will never get rid of that smell and your scent would probably repell the bass

Thanks for the great tip Matt! And for those of us who depend on your tilapia, I guess the same will work with tilapia as the source! Time to get the fly rod out!

I think I need to let the water warm up around here to have this lure work properly for me. I was throwing it in around 50-55°F water. The tail was moving but I had to reel faster than I would think. The bait close to the boat would break the surface of the water. I think it was a little cold out for that plastic to move. You were able to see your breath at 3pm in the afternoon. I was fishing it with 17lb Pline on a 7 '6[ch733] flipping stick. Any ideas?