Hey All,

While I'm stuck in Indiana, my Pop has been trying to get on some of the early season smallies down in Eastern TN. I sent him a couple of the BPS XPS "Freestyle" jigging spoons that I found on sale a few weeks ago.

Problem is, I'm not exactly sure how to fish them. Are you guys using these things just like a normal jigging spoon? I told him just to cruise, locate, drop like we normally do but he's asking me questions and for suggestions to which I have no experience to base upon.

Since it is basically a Hopkins spoon w/ two single barbed hooks rather than a treble, I don't see the complexity. But, I didn't know if you guys had any tips on hookset or technique with using these things. I've got him using braid on the jig rod; we're usually fishing about 35-45 ft. on this lake. Any suggestions on equipment, "feel", lure technique, etc? I've not caught anything on one of these new spoons and don't really have much knowledge on them specifically. I can only relay what I've always done with normal "conventional" jigging spoons for black/brown bass and crappies. The lake we fish often has a large population of alewives - I found a color scheme on the spoon that really looks good, and I was hoping it might lead to success...

Essentially, "sup" with these spoons; have you had success with them, and do you have any knowledge or ideas to pass forth?

Thanks Bassers.

Never tried the "free style" type jigs, but I fish the Hoptkins regularly in the early spring. I usually switch out the trebles on those with large single hooks and have had some pretty decent success. I would fish these new models the same way for starters, then try varying your retrieves.