Have any of you guys had any issues with the trick darter, specifically with it sinking and not suspending?  I've been thinking about getting one to go along with a pointer 78 and small x-rap for my smaller jerkbaits to pick up when i'm going for numbers of fish.

i think @Master Bait'r is the resident expert on the trick darter.  might be worth it to shoot him a PM.

Aside from being $2 more, how does it differ from a 78SP?

51 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

Aside from being $2 more, how does it differ from a 78SP?

It has a cupped bill and the shape is much different. The Trick Darter will swim on a slow retrieve much better.

I've had a bunch of trick darters and have had great luck with them.

8 hours ago, thebillsman said:

It has a cupped bill and the shape is much different. The Trick Darter will swim on a slow retrieve much better.

I've had a bunch of trick darters and have had great luck with them.

I wasn't looking to swim them like a crankbait, more for use as a jerkbait.  But thanks for the reply!

 

2 minutes ago, IndianaFinesse said:

I wasn't looking to swim them like a crankbait, more for use as a jerkbait.

Versatility is a good thing.

I am big on cupped bills ie. Jackall Squad Minnows, Baker JLDs and of course Trick Darters. They definitely throw the bait around a little better.

9 hours ago, Choporoz said:

Aside from being $2 more, how does it differ from a 78SP?

I don't know, I was also going to ask this but I forgot.

I haven't had a sinker yet. 

The TD is a killer river bait. This post reminds me that I need to order a few more.

The only problem with them is the light wire hooks. If you like the td, you will love the flapslap,  great bait for numbers.

Another similar bait that works very well is the evergreen sledge escarda.

How is it different than the pointer 78, other than the slight profile difference and swimming better?

23 hours ago, IndianaFinesse said:

Have any of you guys had any issues with the trick darter, specifically with it sinking and not suspending?  I've been thinking about getting one to go along with a pointer 78 and small x-rap for my smaller jerkbaits to pick up when i'm going for numbers of fish.

I've had many jerkbaits of various brands vary in buoyancy. I've also made my own from floaters. Get water (at the temperature you'll most be be fishing at) in a bucket and test them. You may have to doctor them a bit to get the buoyancy right.

 

12 hours ago, deaknh03 said:

The only problem with them is the light wire hooks. If you like the td, you will love the flapslap,  great bait for numbers.

Another similar bait that works very well is the evergreen sledge escarda.

 

The katsuages are definitely finesse hooks.  I've gotten the drag dialed just right so it keeps them straight longer but big fish can still mangle them.  Super sticky though, and the lighter the weight the more action you get per tug.  I keep spares rather than try to mess with perfection.  Those AMart nano trebles may work but I haven't tried.