Looking for some rigging advice. Jighead weight, hook size, and mfr. for 4.5" & 5.5" size baits. Not typically fishing deeper than 12'- except fishing Lake Erie (20-30'). Color options for clear to stained water suggestions would be helpful (black emerald, green shiner, natural perch). Come on soft water!

This is a trick i do. I take a 1/8 ounce jighead and push it through the head, ripping up the head, then when the jighead is just how i want inside the lure i seal it up by taking a lighter to the head and closing the rip. Then the finished product looks like a storm swimbait.

Thanks Hester. What size hook? I am looking to try 4/0 & 5/0 hooks to match the bait size.

Thanks Hester. What size hook? I am looking to try 4/0 & 5/0 hooks to match the bait size.

Try some Daiichi Buttdraggers (D67Z) 5/0.  

It kinda depends, I'd say a 4/0 maybe. Just take a hook and put it next to the bait as it be inside the bait, and the hook should be exiting about a little over halfway across the bait. Of course their are other rigging options. You can buy special hooks and rig them texas style, and they have the weight on the bottom of the bait so it swims properly. I'm sure a lot of other members will have some more information than me I'm not an expert on basstrix/bass magic.

I saw those buttdraggers at BPS on my last visit. I will have to try those, as well. I am gathering some different types & sizes to take to Lake Guntersville in April. Gamakatzu has some 3/8oz jigheads I have ordered. I also ordered some DOA lead weights you can wrap on any size hook. I like your quote at bottom of your page. Thx.

Skippin, Gamakatsu has a EWG Monster in 5/0 thru 7/0 or they have a EWG weighted in 3/0 thru 5/0 that IMHO works great on the Kamakazee and Moneys Minnow swimmers. The wider bit seems to get a few more in the boat during the day than the Butt dragger for me. Good luck,Crow commander

Thanks Crow. I will check out the EWG Gama's. That is what I am looking for with the thicker Bass Magics. Cross their eyes! SF

PS- any experience with Hummingbird's sidefinder or Lowrance LCX-27C? in the market to upgrade.