Im pretty well stocked on baits and tackle. Gonna tie up new jigs as that’s what I primarily fish. Butttttr im

pretty interested in the bellows gill. I may try some 3.8 weightless next year. They are pricy but I don’t think it’s a presentation the fish have seen here 

Gets bit pretty well here.  I tend to lose too many to snags, so I don't throw it as much as I'd like.  Does ok in grass, but I haven't figured how to rig/fish it effectively around any wood.

The 2.8 floating had been money on a Ned Rig this year. Just for fun I tried it on a Free Rig. I dropped it in some pretty clear water to see what it did. I was shocked that when I reeled it down to the weight and then gave it slack line, it would float up about 6-8 inches until the resistance was too much. It got hammered using this technique. I have some of the Z-Man fuzzy baits on the way and can't wait to try them on this rig as well.

Its one of my favorite free rig baits. I've tried it weightless and it does a great in calm shallow water and at my local ponds but on a big lake with depth, current or wind, the fish really don't bite it unless you are super patient and can wait for it to hit the bottom. 

Besides the usual free rig and flipping with these, I really like drop shotting (well, power shotting) these. Know some guys that have success swimming them around on flashy swimmers, particularly the biggest ones, but haven't tried that myself.

 

If you're looking for action on the fall I'd honestly rather go with the Deps Bull Flat. Great spiral and also a very versatile bait overall.

Try it on a swing head jig or football jig head. It's got great action fished that way. 

This is a great article!

Fishing JDM Gill-Style Baits

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/jdm-gill-style-baits.html

 

 

 

I prefer the Bellows Shad over the Gill due to the thinner profile.

 

Both of these also crush them on a Neko

I am zero on the bellows gill.  they smell awesome tho.

 

I just havent given them their fair shake.  

Thanks so much everyone! I’ll have to get a pack for the spring and give them a shot. I’m late to the party as usual tho lol

11 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Try it on a swing head jig or football jig head. It's got great action fished that way. 

Even goby’s try to mate with them when rigged on a 1/4 ounce football jig.

I get bit when I flip it, don't have a ton of confidence on the free rig but on a traditional texas rig it's awesome; the lack of appendages and ribbed features mean I almost never catch any stray vegetation and the hookups are nice and easy. I like the elastomer version with 3 in a pack and I'm still on the first one after many aggressive fish.

Is it similar to elaztech? 

In terms of stretchiness and durability yes absolutely, it also floats just like elaztech. I'm not sure on the ability to melt other plastics but they come in their own clamshell packaging so I don't worry about it lol.

18 hours ago, RRocket said:

I prefer the Bellows Shad over the Gill due to the thinner profile.

 

 

I use the 10,000 Fish Yoto worm which is pretty much the same.

 

I like to throw it on the back of Jack Hammers.

18 hours ago, Joedodge said:

Thanks so much everyone! I’ll have to get a pack for the spring and give them a shot. I’m late to the party as usual tho lol

if your gonna get the non elaztech version you better get a couple bags .They get bit but dont last long.

On 11/3/2025 at 8:42 AM, Big Swimbait said:

The 2.8 floating had been money on a Ned Rig this year. Just for fun I tried it on a Free Rig. I dropped it in some pretty clear water to see what it did. I was shocked that when I reeled it down to the weight and then gave it slack line, it would float up about 6-8 inches until the resistance was too much. It got hammered using this technique. I have some of the Z-Man fuzzy baits on the way and can't wait to try them on this rig as well.

I may need to try that! 

Thanks everyone 

13 hours ago, Joedodge said:

Thanks everyone 

If you're going to try the Bellows Gill I'd suggest you give the Raid Hira Tailor a try too if you can!

 

I think it collapses better for more positive hookups. The tall flaps on the drop. Great colors that seem to change depending on light/angle and overall more durable.

 

Winner.

 

But they are both great baits! And as mentioned earlier, I still use the 3.8" Bellows Shad. Quite a spectacular Neko bait! 

 

Overall, these gill baits can be lots of fun to fish! 

 

I'm keen to fish the new Berkeley Flux Gill.

I’ve had luck Texas-rigging a 3.8 but due to price and fragility I use them sparingly. It’s great a second time thru an area and gets bites other plastics don’t get due to its unique profile and shape. 
 

Where it really shines is as a Free Rig. I have torn up an entire package in minutes and caught several fish in the process. 
 

They also smell like Fritos! 🇲🇽

9 hours ago, RRocket said:

If you're going to try the Bellows Gill I'd suggest you give the Raid Hira Tailor a try too if you can!

 

I think it collapses better for more positive hookups. The tall flaps on the drop. Great colors that seem to change depending on light/angle and overall more durable.

 

Winner.

 

But they are both great baits! And as mentioned earlier, I still use the 3.8" Bellows Shad. Quite a spectacular Neko bait! 

 

Overall, these gill baits can be lots of fun to fish! 

 

I'm keen to fish the new Berkeley Flux Gill.

Second the Hira Tailor - I've fished them on a free rig, but quite like them just plain weightless.

 

Other excellent alternative is the BottomUp Gimmy, just IMO.

 

10 hours ago, OHBuckets said:

Second the Hira Tailor - I've fished them on a free rig, but quite like them just plain weightless.

 

Other excellent alternative is the BottomUp Gimmy, just IMO.

 

I've mostly fished it Free Rig, but weightless would certainly work! As would a belly weighted swim bait hook.

 

The Gimmy is excellent as you point out.

 

I also have the Dolive SS Gill, which you supposedly can't get any more. When fished, you could get it to do an awesome spiral on the drop on slack line....or with a bit of tension, a nice S glide. Very unique bait. Have oily 2-3 bags left in spectacularly hard to get Vitamin Gill.

 

Allegedly it had to be pulled from market due to lawsuit? If true, I'd love to hear that story! 

There's some KO versions of the baits on the usual suspect sites (Temu, Ali), for a few bucks instead of $10 a pack. Not a lot of colors available but I get mine there and use them on a Neko and get bit just fine. Makes it easier to handle when they only last for a few fish. 

Somebody makes an injection mold , saw it somewhere...

6 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

There's some KO versions of the baits on the usual suspect sites (Temu, Ali), for a few bucks instead of $10 a pack. Not a lot of colors available but I get mine there and use them on a Neko and get bit just fine. Makes it easier to handle when they only last for a few fish. 

That's always been the knock against the JDM baits...Not terribly durable, unfortunately.