Hey guys,

I wanted to make a thread for everyone trying out this lure. I have not seen it discussed very much on here, but I’m sure there’s a lot of people trying them out. I bought some because I had to see if these lures really caught fish. I mean they look crazy and don’t imitate any bait really.

I fished a local pond today that I normally catch a few fish at and had mixed success. My setup was the lone star disco prickly pear 19mm with a #2 I believe treble hook from a kvd 1.5 with my line tied to the split ring and a 1/16 ounce nail weight. I’ll start with the positive. This bait definitely gets bit. I had 6 bites on it in around 30 mins at the pond. The problem is, the 3 that made it to shore came off when I flipped them onto the bank and the other 3 bit but I lost them during the hookset. I was fishing it on 17 lb mono and a 6’10 mh mf rod. A few of the bites I kind of site fished them because although it was sunrise they were just chilling in the shallows not feeding. This could have just been specific to this day of fishing, but I want to see you guys setups for these urchin baits so I can land more.

Just grabbed a few prickly pears this past week. Haven't gotten to try them yet. I want to avoid a treble hook as much as I can so my plan to rig it is gonna be jamming a drop shot weight through the center, taking a wacky hook (2/0) and piercing through the eye, and probably doing some bobber stops or keepers on either side of the bit on the hook to hold it in place. If that fails I may end up just using an EWG and a nail weight.

I fished one (coike fish M) yesterday for a little bit. Conditions weren’t right, but it was the first time I did so. I fished it with the freak-o 3/32 rig with a 2/0 wacky hook of some sort (can’t remember the hook). I’ve got 7 more urchin baits set to arrive tomorrow. I won’t catch any fish on them, but I fed the bait monkey well…

20 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

Just grabbed a few prickly pears this past week. Haven't gotten to try them yet. I want to avoid a treble hook as much as I can so my plan to rig it is gonna be jamming a drop shot weight through the center, taking a wacky hook (2/0) and piercing through the eye, and probably doing some bobber stops or keepers on either side of the bit on the hook to hold it in place. If that fails I may end up just using an EWG and a nail weight.

It was hard to insert the nail weight. The best keepers I’ve found are the rubber earring backs. Shout out tylersreelfishing for that idea.

I've been catching fish with them almost every place I've tried them. I'm just using cheap KO TPE urchins from various places in assorted colors. I probably have 30 of them now. I've been using the treble rig with the most success. The hook I'm using is actually from Aliexpress, just like most of my baits and my weights. The hooks are a 3X #1 teflon coated treble, remind me of the hooks that come on Duo baits but a heavier hook, very sharp and strong hooks. I posted a picture of the weights on another thread but I'll post them again here if this is to be the official urchin thread.

I push one of these through the wire hole and run one of my hook points through the eye of the weight, then use a bait keeper on the hook point. So far, I haven't lost a single bait with that setup and my hookup/landing ratio has been very high. I switched to a fishing it on a jig rod also, either a 7' or 7' 3", both MH with either 15 or 17lb Tatsu. The whole setup is plenty heavy to cast with them and skip under docks. I've been preferring the 7' rod, because I'm snapping the bait pretty much like a jerkbait and it's a little easier with the slightly shorter rod. They are catching larger than average fish for me in the lakes I'm using them and fooling fish that aren't biting other baits. They're not magic, but they're a very effective bite getter and big fish catcher.

2 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I've been catching fish with them almost every place I've tried them. I'm just using cheap KO TPE urchins from various places in assorted colors. I probably have 30 of them now. I've been using the treble rig with the most success. The hook I'm using is actually from Aliexpress, just like most of my baits and my weights. The hooks are a 3X #1 teflon coated treble, remind me of the hooks that come on Duo baits but a heavier hook, very sharp and strong hooks. I posted a picture of the weights on another thread but I'll post them again here if this is to be the official urchin thread.

I push one of these through the wire hole and run one of my hook points through the eye of the weight, then use a bait keeper on the hook point. So far, I haven't lost a single bait with that setup and my hookup/landing ratio has been very high. I switched to a fishing it on a jig rod also, either a 7' or 7' 3", both MH with either 15 or 17lb Tatsu. The whole setup is plenty heavy to cast with them and skip under docks. I've been preferring the 7' rod, because I'm snapping the bait pretty much like a jerkbait and it's a little easier with the slightly shorter rod. They are catching larger than average fish for me in the lakes I'm using them and fooling fish that aren't biting other baits. They're not magic, but they're a very effective bite getter and big fish catcher.

What do you think I could be doing wrong with my setup then? Hook a little too small or setting the hook too early when I saw them bite?

3 minutes ago, Brycecover said:

What do you think I could be doing wrong with my setup then? Hook a little too small or setting the hook too early when I saw them bite?

You're getting stretch out of the mono, so there's that to start with. Pretty sure a 1.5 KVD has #4 trebles but even #2 is a little small IMO, and the Strike King trebles are not the sharpest by any means. I had issues hooking and keeping fish hooked with Gamakatsu #1 round bend trebles, but these ones I'm using now aren't really round bend, they bend inwards slightly, and that seems to maybe be helping.

1 hour ago, Bluebasser86 said:

You're getting stretch out of the mono, so there's that to start with. Pretty sure a 1.5 KVD has #4 trebles but even #2 is a little small IMO, and the Strike King trebles are not the sharpest by any means. I had issues hooking and keeping fish hooked with Gamakatsu #1 round bend trebles, but these ones I'm using now aren't really round bend, they bend inwards slightly, and that seems to maybe be helping.

Ok thanks maybe the hook is too small then. Could you send the link for the hooks you’re using? Or any alternatives that I could purchase? Thanks

19 minutes ago, Brycecover said:

Ok thanks maybe the hook is too small then. Could you send the link for the hooks you’re using? Or any alternatives that I could purchase? Thanks

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806976753114.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.14.5bd62e24z4Iw82&algo_pvid=2b68a267-c659-48de-aae4-942b89ce6fb6&algo_exp_id=2b68a267-c659-48de-aae4-942b89ce6fb6-13&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%226620%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22search%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21USD%212.97%212.97%21%21%212.97%212.97%21%402101e8f317827584432874421e04d4%2112000039663946891%21sea%21US%212670785260%21X%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29919%3Bd%3Aca0a7afc%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895&curPageLogUid=8h6VCaFSVBJR&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3A1005007163067866%7C_p_origin_prod%3A

I have a lmb 19/20mm urchin presentation down.

I have 25mm fullcast sized ones on the way ill play with for kicker largemouth. I can see this approaching glide bait territory in size/bite frequency though.

I need to get some 14-17mm urchins for smallmouth. 19/20s with a treble are a little big so id like something a little smaller for their mouths.

I started with a #1 treble hook and a nail weight. Now, I really like a frog hook with a dropshot weight . I slide the weight up the hook to the line tie and let it swing back between the hook shanks and shove the whole thing through the Coike.

I use a 3/16 cylinder weight

1 hour ago, dwtaylor said:

I have a lmb 19/20mm urchin presentation down.

I have 25mm fullcast sized ones on the way ill play with for kicker largemouth. I can see this approaching glide bait territory in size/bite frequency though.

I need to get some 14-17mm urchins for smallmouth. 19/20s with a treble are a little big so id like something a little smaller for their mouths.

What’s the presentation then? How are you fishing it and rigging it?

2 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806976753114.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.14.5bd62e24z4Iw82&algo_pvid=2b68a267-c659-48de-aae4-942b89ce6fb6&algo_exp_id=2b68a267-c659-48de-aae4-942b89ce6fb6-13&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%226620%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22search%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21USD%212.97%212.97%21%21%212.97%212.97%21%402101e8f317827584432874421e04d4%2112000039663946891%21sea%21US%212670785260%21X%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29919%3Bd%3Aca0a7afc%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895&curPageLogUid=8h6VCaFSVBJR&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3A1005007163067866%7C_p_origin_prod%3A

Thanks what about the weight/keeper also anything else I should add to my order from there while I’m at it?

16 hours ago, Brycecover said:

What’s the presentation then? How are you fishing it and rigging it?

Thanks what about the weight/keeper also anything else I should add to my order from there while I’m at it?

These are the bait keepers.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256811913432558.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.4b954afegPy8cx&algo_pvid=6cbcbe50-39df-41d9-8602-2778246a3e23&algo_exp_id=6cbcbe50-39df-41d9-8602-2778246a3e23-2&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%2254%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22search%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21USD%214.21%214.21%21%21%214.21%214.21%21%402101e81117828251439897426e8fb9%2112000057548468125%21sea%21US%212670785260%21X%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29919%3Bd%3Aca0a7afc%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895&curPageLogUid=xUCbkCbAJDla&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3A1005012099747310%7C_p_origin_prod%3A

These are the weights.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256811591600374.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.73c96b9a5gyX7B&mp=1&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21USD%21USD+3.73%21USD+3.73%21%21USD+3.54%21%21%21%402101d33417828248653983826e112c%2112000056529718520%21ct%21US%212670785260%21%211%210%21&_gl=1*a1z8c7*_gcl_au*MTEwODU1MzA1OC4xNzgyNzU3NTgz*_ga*MTkzNjcyMjE4NC4xNzgyODI0ODU5*_ga_VED1YSGNC7*czE3ODI4MjQ4NTgkbzEkZzEkdDE3ODI4MjQ4NjUkajUzJGwwJGgw&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

6 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

These are the bait keepers.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256811913432558.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.3.4b954afegPy8cx&algo_pvid=6cbcbe50-39df-41d9-8602-2778246a3e23&algo_exp_id=6cbcbe50-39df-41d9-8602-2778246a3e23-2&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%2254%22%2C%22eval%22%3A%221%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22search%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21USD%214.21%214.21%21%21%214.21%214.21%21%402101e81117828251439897426e8fb9%2112000057548468125%21sea%21US%212670785260%21X%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29919%3Bd%3Aca0a7afc%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895&curPageLogUid=xUCbkCbAJDla&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A%7Cx_object_id%3A1005012099747310%7C_p_origin_prod%3A

These are the weights.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256811591600374.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.73c96b9a5gyX7B&mp=1&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21USD%21USD+3.73%21USD+3.73%21%21USD+3.54%21%21%21%402101d33417828248653983826e112c%2112000056529718520%21ct%21US%212670785260%21%211%210%21&_gl=1*a1z8c7*_gcl_au*MTEwODU1MzA1OC4xNzgyNzU3NTgz*_ga*MTkzNjcyMjE4NC4xNzgyODI0ODU5*_ga_VED1YSGNC7*czE3ODI4MjQ4NTgkbzEkZzEkdDE3ODI4MjQ4NjUkajUzJGwwJGgw&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Thanks. Do you think the split ring could have been hurting my hookups and keeping fish?

Got my first fish yesterday on the fish M. Totally wasn’t expecting it either. Was in a small creek fishing my bfs gear for 12”ers and I saw a good mama - about 3 lbs, hunting in about 10” of water. Threw the urchin out a bit and got bit. Wasn’t the big girl, but it did catch fish.

On 6/29/2026 at 3:40 PM, Brycecover said:

What’s the presentation then? How are you fishing it and rigging it?

Thanks what about the weight/keeper also anything else I should add to my order from there while I’m at it?

I basically fish it similar to a jerkbait/fluke where I give it a jerk jerk pause to let it sink. like a jerkbait, I play with the amount and aggressiveness of the jerks as well as the amount of time of pause. This also correlates to the size weight too, but generally deeper is heavier weight. I don't like to go above 1/8oz but I am also primarily fishing in less than 6fow.

#1 vmc hybrid short shank treble hooks are my go to for 19/20mm urchins like hags.

Weights are more complicated. I use jewel baits freak-o rigs in 3/32 or 1/8 and very shallow or high weeds 1/16 oz tungsten 6th sense nail weight. I also use neko weights from lurepartsonline as well in the same sizes too, and those are easier to insert into the bait. The only downside is it rocks a little different but I haven't thrown them with that configuration to see a difference in bites. LPO link: https://www.lurepartsonline.com/Neko-Sinkers

Keepers, I use a 4mm silicone worm band as a keeper on the hook point going through the bait or even a section of the plastic packaging the urchins come in. I basically rig kind of like a spinner/buzzbait trailer hook stop. Band link: https://arsenalfishing.com/product/stealth-silicone-tube-shields-50pk/

Hookup and land ratio is maybe 1 shy of 100% for largemouth and all are above 2lbs. I don't think small fish (except scrappy bluegill or green sunfish) hit this size of bait. Smallies are different as their mouths are smaller and I think the bait and the treble is slightly too big so my hookup/land ratio is less but still over 50%. I am going to try something else for them when I can, but ideally id like 13 or 17mm urchins for this.

22 hours ago, dwtaylor said:

I basically fish it similar to a jerkbait/fluke where I give it a jerk jerk pause to let it sink. like a jerkbait, I play with the amount and aggressiveness of the jerks as well as the amount of time of pause. This also correlates to the size weight too, but generally deeper is heavier weight. I don't like to go above 1/8oz but I am also primarily fishing in less than 6fow.

#1 vmc hybrid short shank treble hooks are my go to for 19/20mm urchins like hags.

Weights are more complicated. I use jewel baits freak-o rigs in 3/32 or 1/8 and very shallow or high weeds 1/16 oz tungsten 6th sense nail weight. I also use neko weights from lurepartsonline as well in the same sizes too, and those are easier to insert into the bait. The only downside is it rocks a little different but I haven't thrown them with that configuration to see a difference in bites. LPO link: https://www.lurepartsonline.com/Neko-Sinkers

Keepers, I use a 4mm silicone worm band as a keeper on the hook point going through the bait or even a section of the plastic packaging the urchins come in. I basically rig kind of like a spinner/buzzbait trailer hook stop. Band link: https://arsenalfishing.com/product/stealth-silicone-tube-shields-50pk/

Hookup and land ratio is maybe 1 shy of 100% for largemouth and all are above 2lbs. I don't think small fish (except scrappy bluegill or green sunfish) hit this size of bait. Smallies are different as their mouths are smaller and I think the bait and the treble is slightly too big so my hookup/land ratio is less but still over 50%. I am going to try something else for them when I can, but ideally id like 13 or 17mm urchins for this.

Maybe the size of fish also affected my landing. Largest was 1.5 pounds