Just curious, I fished with a buddy the other day, that said he never breaks them off the body, and I always do.

the only thing on a brush hog that i break is the front little arms. i break the bottom free from the body that way the top is still attatched and has arm action.

I use Brush Hogs quite a bit and always leave then intact.

I leave them attached, I don't see a reason to break them off. I do know some people that do though

Leave em' intact.

I'll pinch off the front "arms" if I find the bait is getting caught in heavy cover. Mostly, I look for another bait that's better suited for the cover, and leave them intact, though.  Same with GYCB Kreatures too.

The classic Raul answer:

It depends

It depends on what I 'm trying to present and the bait to look like, for example, I cut the front of the arms while keeping the rear attached, the arm now wiggles, sometimes I remove completely the arms, other times I remove the tails, other times I remove the tails and arms and keep only the flaps, other times I remove the flaps, other times I fish it as it comes from the bag.

Each modification you do makes the bait look and move differently. So you may start with a hog just as it comes from the bag and modify the bait as needed/wanted.

i've always broken off the bottom of the front arms, but i think next time i'll try breaking off the front for a more wiggly action.

    Always break them off.  I think it gives the Brush Hog more action.

Ive heard of guys breaking the arms but as for me i leave them stock

I've always detached them, but will give it a shot 'stock'-style...

I pinch the back of the front arms off and I also slit each of the flappers down the middle. Can't tell if it makes any difference but I like to think it does  ;D

If I am using them as a jig trailer I take off the front arms and back legs.  I usually leave them along for c-rigs and t-rigs.

I'm with Francho. If it gets caught up then they are gone, other than that I don't even think about em.

Mottfia