I have my first tournament of the year Saturday.  That lake is more challenging to fish when the weeds are up and from looking around yesterday it looks like they are getting pretty heavy already.  I tried throwing a Keitech on a swimbait head but it kept getting weeds.  Is a weightless Keitech a good option?  I also thought about using a small bullet weight in say 1/8 ounce.  Thanks for the replies.

I almost always fish my Keitechs weightless (I throw the 3.8 Swing Impact Fat) on a 4/0 Owner Twistlock. If I feel the need to add weight I use 1/48 to 1/32 tungsten nail weights inserted into the two molded holes in the bottom of the bait. That rig is called the Chikubi Rig. It keeps the body wobble action of the swimbait while adding a little weight. 

 

If I use a jighead, I use the Zappu Mustang Heads in 3/32 oz. 

I was just gonna give about the same answer as @ib_of_the_damned.  I'm not as technical with the nail weights, they're just six penny finishing nails.  Two or three. 

18 minutes ago, ib_of_the_damned said:

I almost always fish my Keitechs weightless (I throw the 3.8 Swing Impact Fat) on a 4/0 Owner Twistlock. If I feel the need to add weight I use 1/48 to 1/32 tungsten nail weights inserted into the two molded holes in the bottom of the bait. That rig is called the Chikubi Rig. It keeps the body wobble action of the swimbait while adding a little weight. 

 

If I use a jighead, I use the Zappu Mustang Heads in 3/32 oz. 

 

Good stuff. Thanks.

25 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I was just gonna give about the same answer as @ib_of_the_damned.  I'm not as technical with the nail weights, they're just six penny finishing nails.  Two or three. 

 

What size are the nails that you use?

Six penny.

35 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Six penny.

 

Do those nails fit perfectly or are you cutting them to size?

Yes, they're 2" long: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Grip-Rite-13-x-2-in-6-Penny-Bright-Steel-Finish-Nails-1-lb-Pack-6F1/100027781

You can also cut pieces of wire coat hangers to fit the Keitechs

 

They're actually what were in my "junk drawer" in the kitchen.

Yea I clip 18ga. Brad nails with some linesman pliers and they fit perfect. 

Thanks guys.  I didn't even know about the nail holes in the Keitechs until you mentioned them.  @J Francho I assume you are fishing method pretty often with all your heavy weeds in NY.  A swimbait head works good on St. Clair until the weeds get up then I usually abandon them.  I'll have to re-think this now. 

Not a lot, since I prefer the action rigged like below.  But in a pinch, this works.  When I'm more prepared, I usually throw a Trash Fish on a weighted Owner Beast.

 

We're dealing with Lake O. around three feet higher than usual.  Game is totally different this spring.  We'll see.  Finger Lakes are a little higher, but more typical.

Recently I got some Owner Beast hooks to fish them on and they work really well. If I want to add more significant weight I wrap some wire around the shank of the hook. But I also have some tiny nail weights. Haven't used those on the Keitech's yet though. 

Just this morning I rigged up a 4.3 inch swing impact fat on a swimbait hook texas-rigged with a 3/8 oz bullet sinker above it.  Worked perfectly gliding through the weeds and didn't get hung up once.  Even landed a nice pike on it 

Weightless would be fine, but I added the sinker to give extra casting distance.

I use them weightless fished as a toad a lot, and if I miss a blow up I just slow down and use it as a swim bait.

@J Francho Are you fishing them weightless on a casting rod or spinning rod?

yup, nail weight in belly. one on each side where the two spots are. that's what they're there for.

oh an look into adding one of those nose cones by decoy or paycheck baits.

 

3 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said:

@J Francho Are you fishing them weightless on a casting rod or spinning rod?

 

Casting: LTBC70MF with a 7:1 OG Zillion and 12# CXX.

 

I step up to one of the MH rods for weighted or the bigger Trash Fish.