I noticed that Davis is releasing a new frog hook with a weight attached via a split ring. That seems like a great idea; I've personally been using a free-rig weight secured with a piece of a TRD worm to achieve a similar setup. While getting a standard frog hook through a typical Coike isn't too difficult, those Hags baits are definitely tougher than a Kroger steak!.

I've taken to opening up the existing hole with a drill bit rather than risking a trip to the ER to get a frog hook out of my hand.

I've got some urchins but haven't used them yet.

Why not just use a bullet sinker pegged to the hook?

Everyone seems to be speculating at this point, so I wouldn't rule anything out. But most seem to be putting the weight at the back of the bait opposite the line tie and holding it right against the body.

I'm not convinced that the elastomer is the best material. It was fine when we were just basically neko rigging the thing but trying to shove frog hooks and weights like the freak-o through it is a PITA.

@rangerjockey "But most seem to be putting the weight at the back of the bait opposite the line tie and holding it right against the body."

It seems to me that having the weight in front with the hooks up during the fall would work better. As I said I haven't fished these yet so I got a lot to learn.

Everybody has an idea now that they are so popular. The one that makes the most sense to me is with the weight on the bottom and whatever hook you use, the hook point should be up. That way the hook is in the best position while the bait falls.

41 minutes ago, Big Swimbait said:

Everybody has an idea now that they are so popular. The one that makes the most sense to me is with the weight on the bottom and whatever hook you use, the hook point should be up. That way the hook is in the best position while the bait falls.

One thing that concerns me with the treble or quad hook is that when you fish it like a jerk bait around brush it's fairly easy to hang up. From the first time I fished it that way, I worried get one deep and I'd really hate to tongue hook one.

Have you tried fishing it with any other hooks? I haven’t tried the frog hooks yet because they aren’t sold around me.

3/0 flipping hook and a nail weight. I think there is something to the back and forth rocking secondary movement when twitched. Dont think you would get that with a bullet weight out front. Going to try Christie's frog hook rigging method with the split ring and dropshot weight.

15 minutes ago, smesx said:

3/0 flipping hook and a nail weight. I think there is something to the back and forth rocking secondary movement when twitched. Dont think you would get that with a bullet weight out front. Going to try Christie's frog hook rigging method with the split ring and dropshot weight.

are you using a keeper to hold it on the hook?

As of now on a casting rod and heavier weight I think the frog hook is the way to go for me. How to add the weight is the wild card.

On the smaller size like the 13mm on a spinning rod I'm sold on the Talsman hook w/ the clip on weight.

33 minutes ago, Brycecover said:

are you using a keeper to hold it on the hook?

Bkk heavy cover flipping hook has a little wire keeper, i bend it back away from the line tie (red line in pic), then I use one of the little black rubber gamakatsu keepers (XL size) on the end of the hook after putting on the bait (I'm on a hags prickly pear budget). I hook through maybe 1/3 of the bait and put the nail weight in the center. I've not lost a bait other than 1 break off under a dock since switching to this, hookup is so much better than the treble hook. The bait will run up your line sometimes but that's not a big deal. I'll post a pic when I get home.

I am just using a 3/16oz flick shake head with a bigger hook. Fishing these like a tube had worked best for me.

Allen

28 minutes ago, smesx said:

Bkk heavy cover flipping hook has a little wire keeper, i bend it back away from the line tie (red line in pic), then I use one of the little black rubber gamakatsu keepers (XL size) on the end of the hook after putting on the bait (I'm on a hags prickly pear budget). I hook through maybe 1/3 of the bait and put the nail weight in the center. I've not lost a bait other than 1 break off under a dock since switching to this, hookup is so much better than the treble hook. The bait will run up your line sometimes but that's not a big deal. I'll post a pic when I get home.

Thanks I’ll have to try that.

Tough to take a good pic of these boogers 😆.

Using a 843 MBR and braid to leader fished like a jerkbait around cover.