30 minutes ago, Zcoker said:

 

I totally agree. Free swinging is the way to go. My method of securing them, lady’s earring holders lol 

 

 

I use a paper hole punch to make small disks out of the clear plastic that lure boxes come in.  Push the main hook through the center and you are good to go. 

2 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

 

I use a paper hole punch to make circles out of the clear plastic that lure boxes come in. 

 

Yep, used to do the same until I tried the plastic earring holder. My wife asked me to remove one that was stuck on her earring and when I did, I was like, man, these would be perfect to hold a trailer hook! lol I didn’t particularly like the tubing or the plastic cutout or other various hacks like stripping electrical wire and using the hollow plastic tube. The fit and finish of the earring holder is perfect! I’ve never had one fail, either. Plus they’re easy to change in the heat of battle. I get hundreds of them for a few bucks. 

On 10/29/2023 at 5:56 AM, Captain Phil said:

I have always considered a bass jig a northern bait.  In all my years of bass fishing in Florida, I have rarely seen anyone fish with one.  I am sure my lack of success with jigs is due to a lack of confidence on my part.  If I had fished them more, I would probably have a different view.  Water temperature has a lot to do with this.  Soft plastics are available in many different configurations, all of them have more action when the water is warm.   A 6"-8" Zoom Speed worm or Mag II looks to have more bass appeal than a hard jig head and skirt.  I am not a bass, so my idea of bass appeal could be much different than it is. 

 

When flipping and pitching, I believe the drop is the most significant factor.   A soft plastic bait slides through cover much easier and faster than a jig with a weed guard.  It pin-balls down into the cover bouncing off everything on the way down.  I can't see a jig with a weed guard coming close to this. Soft plastic baits are more versatile. They are available in dozens of configurations from straight worms, craws, lizards to creature baits. Their weight can be adjusted from none to over any ounce.  

 

Obviously you can attach a soft plastic to a jig, but what's the point?  I did catch a bass once in a Florida tournament with a jig.  It was a very cold day on the Kissimmee Chain and I was fishing a canal with rocks on the side.  It was so cold, my worms looked like sticks.  I pulled out a black and blue jig and a three pounder ate it. So much for my jig theory!  In my years as a guide, I have seen folks catch bass on things that I was sure were a waste of time.   I had to eat these words many times, "Florida bass won't eat that!".   😉

You ever have a skirt on that t-rig? Ie slither rig style?