Guy's

Useing a bullet weight when you're useing soft plastics as opposed to freelining tubes, worms, crawfish etc. changes the action and presentation so much (a nose dive vertcal fall and jigging type of cast instead of a sloooow horizontal fall) I was wondering..other than for casting distance what do you guy's prefer?

I read some where that a lot of the pro's DON'T peg  a bullet weight to the end of the line and jig it, they use a barrel weight and let let it slide.

Thanks

Mike

The fish will tell you on any given day what they want. Each presentation has it's benifits and drawbacks depending on what conditions you're fishing in.

I've had a few days where I'll fish weightless and not get bit.  Then I'll add weight and get a faster fall and get bites much more consistantly.

It also depends where you're throwing as well.  For example,  If you're trying to punch mats or get through thicker vegetation in the middle of the water column, so your bait can get down to the bottom, then a weight is needed.

Also, you said "using a bullet weight when you're using soft plastics.."   That's kind of vague because there are lots of ways to use a bullet weight when you are bass fishing. 

There are times when Carolina rig will work much better than a Texas rig and vice versa.  Go check out some of the great articles on C- rigging and T-rigging here on BR.  Good stuff fer sure.

Mike,

Weightless and weighted hook (swimbait hook) will provide a horizontal fall and the speed you desire for any given bait would be attained by adjusting the weight of the hook used.

Using a bullet weight, it can be pegged for fishing brush with a Tx rig or flipping. When not fishing grass, sticks or big rocks, you can just let it slide.

The Rig you were referring to with swivel and barrel weight is a Carolina rig and it is extremely effective as well depending on the type of structure you are targeting.

Each of the above set-ups provide distinctly different presentations regardless of your bait choice and each can and will be the ticket provided you figure out which the fish are wanting the most at any given time.

There are no absolute rules for any given water on how to be the successful, only a variety of styles to consider that will be most successful for you...Kinda like choosing the best bait from the world of choices at hand 

Hope that helps

Big O

www.ragetail.com      

Sometimes small nails can be inserted as well. I got a few different size nails and cut them in different lengths.

The fish will tell you! But usually use the lightest weight possible. Also consider the cover, sometimes you have to peg the bait just to get through it! keep that in mind too.

I believe plastics are the most versatile lure you can tie on

Rate of fall is something many anglers totally ignore but it is the trigger when fishing plastics.

I've won tournaments throwing light weights in deep water & heavy weights in shallow water.

Don't think for a second a 2 lb bass in 10' of water can't stop a 1 oz before it hits bottom