Cmon honestly, I find these things to be turds also.  In your experience, what has been the best way to rig the 4" Sick fish, so that they dont suck? 

Trash can rig..

Hope he feels better soon.

I catch lots of fish on them rigged a few different ways. No idea why people have problems with them, I have several colors in 4 and 3 inch sizes and have zero problems with them. When I get around white bass, which I do alot, I rig them with a belly treble. This bait has over 20 bass, several white bass, a couple crappie, and a channel cat to it's credit and obviously has plenty of life left to it.

Well, if they do work, I must not be rigging mine right then.   So far Ive only gotten it to swim correctly on a Rugby jig.  On the swimbait hooks it did not swim well, and frequently roll over on its side, and just drag through the water. 

 

 

I read a review of a guy who claimed he rigged it weightless and burned it on the surface.  Im half inclined to call that man a liar.

Well, if they do work, I must not be rigging mine right then.   So far Ive only gotten it to swim correctly on a Rugby jig.  On the swimbait hooks it did not swim well, and frequently roll over on its side, and just drag through the water. 

 

 

I read a review of a guy who claimed he rigged it weightless and burned it on the surface.  Im half inclined to call that man a liar.

Get some swimbait hooks with a centering pin, it helps you line them up straight so they swim right. I've done well with them on a football head also. 

Do these things require a ridiculously large hook, just to run straight? 

1. Boil them til they are sticky.

2. Cut a large belly slot with a razor blade. 

3. Use a swimbait hook with weight, it helps it run true. 

1. Boil them til they are sticky.

2. Cut a large belly slot with a razor blade. 

3. Use a swimbait hook with weight, it helps it run true. 

1.  Not needed

2.  Already did

3.  Already did.

 

Doesnt run true for squat.   Maybe I'll just stick with the Rugby heads. 

Get some swimbait hooks with a centering pin, it helps you line them up straight so they swim right. I've done well with them on a football head also. 

But what size swimbait hooks? 

If I we're going to use them... I'd probably buy the smaller size for a drop shot... And drown them in PowerBairt scent... But i don't find I reason to use/buy them... So I dont

On the swimbait hooks it did not swim well, and frequently roll over on its side, and just drag through the water. 

 

 

 

Honestly, it sounds like you should boil it.  What you just described is a swimbait that is too stiff and needs to be more pliable. 

Another trick to get more "thump" in the action, is to cut the top fin off the tail.

Sick fish; especially the painted colors, are particularly stiff.

I read a review of a guy who claimed he rigged it weightless and burned it on the surface.  Im half inclined to call that man a liar.

 

I can get the larger size to buzz on the surface quite easily, even on weighted hooks. 

You might have too slow of a reel.  I use a 7:1.1

I use the 5.5 exclusively take a coffee stirrer straw and make it a line thru add a 3/16 or 1/8 oz bullet weight for ballast. They get bit for me. I throw them when I don't want to lose a 15-30 dollar line thrus in cover

I just watched Ott Defoe using it on bass pros and he was doing well. I have a pack but I haven't used them yet.

Next time buy the real trash fish. I love them!

So what do I need, a swimbait hook that is between 5/0-7/0?

I use an Owner Beast 8/0 for the 6" bait.

I catch lots of fish on them rigged a few different ways. No idea why people have problems with them, I have several colors in 4 and 3 inch sizes and have zero problems with them. When I get around white bass, which I do alot, I rig them with a belly treble. This bait has over 20 bass, several white bass, a couple crappie, and a channel cat to it's credit and obviously has plenty of life left to it.

Is this even legal?

Cmon honestly, I find these things to be turds also.  In your experience, what has been the best way to rig the 4" Sick fish, so that they dont suck? 

1. get the bait.

2. go to tackle warehouse

3. buy the same thing......only the original.

Little creepers trash fish. The originals are WAY softer and swim much better. they have a nice wobble but dont tip over. and you can fish them much slower with the same action.

Tight lines

I throw the trash fish also. I took one look at the sick fish and put it back on the rack. Way to stiff for my liking. If the bait is not running right its most likely in your rigging or its bent and needs to be boiled out.