I have always gone with the assumption that colder water = less action and warmer water = more action until I saw a quick video by one Mr. Greg Hackney yesterday explaining how he chooses his flipping baits..  He said in super clear water; non-active bass; little or no wind; etc he always chooses the rodent (beaver style) because it’s less action and faster fall rate (less water resistance) is more appealing in those conditions and he throws the rage bug (flapper style) in dirtier water for more action; windy conditions; active bass etc… 

 

He didn’t even mention water temperature at all… 

 

I have always flipped a beaver style in early spring and a flapper style in summer.. so yesterday I dedicated all day to flipping a Z-man Palmotto Bug (Beaver style) in 82 degree water and bass were absolutely killing it..

 

I can’t believe I was that far off… You can never stop learning…

 

 

Sure, but there is so much more to it, I'm not a fan of a jig in cold water (yes you read that right) particularly as it is warming as opposed to cooling, also the action of the trailer is less important than how you fish the jig most times. Hackney is one of the best sticks there's ever been, I'd listen to anything he has to say, particularly about jigs.

If you dedicated an entire day to fishing one bait then all you can say is that the bait worked.   You can’t say it was better than another bait that you didn’t try.  We create rules that we expect bass to follow.  They don’t always follow our rules.  The rules should be considered guidelines at best most of the time.

Once the water gets really hot, bass become neutral to inactive again and baits with less action become better options again. They're also better for flipping in heavy cover because they they don't have appendages to catch on cover when sliding through it. 

I never go on any assumption 

16 hours ago, RHuff said:

He said in super clear water; non-active bass; little or no wind; etc he always chooses the rodent (beaver style) because it’s less action and faster fall rate

 

Bass in clear water are primarily sight feeders. Hackney is throwing 3/4-1.25 weights which produce a fast rate of fall.

 

16 hours ago, RHuff said:

rage bug (flapper style) in dirtier water for more action; windy conditions; active bass etc… 

 

Bass if offcolored water are primarily lateral line feeders.

 

Baits that move water are productive. Anyone who has thrown Rage Tail products on heavy weights understand how much waters these baits move.

A beaver has worked for me in all water temps/clarities.

The rules aren't complex enough yet.  I choose based on even different assumptions.   If I think best shot at bite is on the fall, usually in cover, I may go with Pit Boss or Sweet Beaver.  If I expect bites at rest, dragging, or swimming, I will use Rage Bug.  

   I admit that my decisions aren't really based on any real knowledge of bass behavior.   I personally dislike the way Pit Boss looks (to me) sitting on the bottom, or swimming horizontally. 

  

I watched that video yesterday as well.  I found it pretty interesting as to Hackney’s rationale on when he throws the two baits. Hackney did mention the importance of having a lot of confidence in what you are throwing in order to get bit. Good stuff…

 

That’s a great video.   Watch it and listen carefully to the language he uses.  Notice how often he says typically, a lot of times, I feel like, probably,  I lean towards,  more times than not, that’s just my opinion,  then we go from there.  He’s not talking absolutes.  He’s not stating the rules.  He’s giving the guidelines he uses as he’s trying to dial it in.  Ultimately, the fish make the rules and we have to figure them out on a given day.

2 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

That’s a great video.   Watch it and listen carefully to the language he uses.  Notice how often he says typically, a lot of times, I feel like, probably,  I lean towards,  more times than not, that’s just my opinion,  then we go from there.  He’s not talking absolutes.  He’s not stating the rules.  He’s giving the guidelines he uses as he’s trying to dial it in.  Ultimately, the fish make the rules and we have to figure them out on a given day.

Hackney has always been one of my favorites. Probably because I look at him as his generation’s Denny Brauer. 

That was a great video I like his videos. 

Went fishing today and caught everything on a swim jig.  Lol

5 hours ago, NavyToad said:

Hackney has always been one of my favorites. Probably because I look at him as his generation’s Denny Brauer. 

 

Have you ever watched a video of him pitching a bait? It is so impressive with the minimal movement and effort but pinpoint accuracy. 

 

Allen 

On 8/10/2022 at 6:16 PM, RHuff said:

 

  He said in super clear water; non-active bass; little or no wind; etc he always chooses the rodent (beaver style) because it’s less action and faster fall rate (less water resistance) is more appealing in those conditions and he throws the rage bug (flapper style) in dirtier water for more action; windy conditions; active bass etc… 

 

 

 

 

"Less action, and faster fall rate."  That pretty much sums up summer jig fishing in clear water for me.

18 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

If you dedicated an entire day to fishing one bait then all you can say is that the bait worked.   You can’t say it was better than another bait that you didn’t try.  We create rules that we expect bass to follow.  They don’t always follow our rules.  The rules should be considered guidelines at best most of the time.

 

Lemme rephrase… I did throw other baits and caught fish on other baits.. the only bait I flipped was the Palmetto Bug

Beaver style lures are my #1 favorites in ALL water conditions.

On 8/11/2022 at 6:46 AM, Deleted account said:

I'm not a fan of a jig in cold water (yes you read that right) particularly as it is warming as opposed to cooling.

 

That is strange to hear? The biggest LM I usually catch every year are on a black jig during a 3 day warming period in March.

 

Allen

I am a big fan of the Rage Structure Bug, but have never fished the Rodent.

I will have to pick some up and give them a try.

A Trigged beaver style bait has a great gliding spiraling action on the fall, and a profile that resembles both a baitfish and a craw. It's my choice anytime I'm fishing in heavy cover regardless of clarity or temp.

Something with flapping appendages has been better for me when fish are active, relating more loosely to cover, and willing to chase.

I probably burn through more Sweet Craws than all other plastics put together.

 

I was always taught fall rate matters more than action when pitching.

 

The beaver may have less action, but that’s also going to give it a faster fall using the same weight. It’s a bit of a catch-22.