Swap out the stock hooks with Triple Grips or Gammi wide gap and use an oval split ring. Fish it on 50 pound braid, it floats and you can get an easy hook set, even on super long casts. If you fish for smallmouth, get ready to see this bait get knocked two feet out of the water. Just keep the cadence, even after a miss or four. They will get it sooner or later. Use a translucent pattern in clear water. The braid does not spook them, no pun intended. Awesome fall bait.