I've got a lot of spots with docks, break walls, rip rap, piers and read I should throw some creature baits. Do I need jig heads for these or just a worm hook? do you texas rig these things or just let them fall on their own or weighted head?

 

I will be trying for small mouth in the river mouths also. 

The size of the bait determines the size of the hook. Traditionally you would rig them on a worm/flipping or ewg hook.

Start off using a RI Smallie Beaver on a Owner Ultra bullet head jig.

There are dozens of good creature baits to select from, the smallie beaver is a good size for Smallmouth bass, the bullet head jig is weedless and goes through everything.

Tom

 

I usually just Texas rig them. If the creature bait is small enough I will fish it on a split shot rig. 

Yea I think you're thinking about this too much... It's not complicated really... Just try and put it where the fish are and make it look alive. Regardless of how you rig it !!! 

 

Personally I've become fond of the jika rig... With a high action trailer like any of the rage products or keitech crazy flapper. 

 

Good luck from an Ohio resident. (But really a michigander ? )

 

I set mine up on a texas rig with an 1/8 ounce sinker most of the time. As CroakHunter said the size of the bait determines the size of the hook you need.

RI smallie beaver, Gamakatsu 2/0 ewg hook, 3/16 or 1/8oz bullet weight pegged.

 

Allen

I like to fish them on swinging football heads and drag them.

Texas rig it weedless with a bullet weight. Hang on 

Depends upon what you are talking about exactly. The Smallie Beaver or Baby Rodent I like to use a 3/15 oz tungsten weight with a 2/0 EWG hook. For the standard size Beaver and Rodent I like a 3/0 or 4/0 EWG hook with a 1/4 oz weight. You can obviously increase/decrease the weight as needed depending upon depth or desired rate of fall.