Munkin

I use the footballhead ones because they stand up better than most. When you see those flatbase shakeyheads advertised they are in a aquarium which is not the real world. Check out the MegaStrike ones and make sure you are using a bait without salt in order for them to stand up. Allen

Two baits I don't melt down are anything elaztech and Berkley power bait. The elaztech is made of who knows what and the Berkley stuff seems to scorch too easily. Besides those I do not care about the percentage of salt content for regular jig trailers as it is immaterial. Allen

Where specifically are you fishing in Merryland as I maybe able to help? I fish from the Lower Potomac out of Smallwood west to Deep Creek Lake and most places inbetween. If I had to recommend 2 baits it would be the KVD 1.5 silent in Gizzard shad and rattling in chart/black back to cover most of the state. Allen

You are pulling a metal swivel through a ceramic guide which isn't as strong. I did this years ago and the guide chipped and frayed the line which cost me a few lures and several nice fish before I noticed what was going on. Just figured I would pass on the words of wisdom so you won't make the same mistake I made. Allen

This is my #1 finesse jig period, 5/16oz GP with matching Zoom Super Chunk Jr. I have probably caught 1000's of fish on this exact jig. Allen

I will use the same bait until I cannot rig it correctly anymore. It doesn't matter that I have 98 more of them I like to keep using the bait that is working. When they are finally done they get melted down into jig trailers based on color. Co-anglers leave a lot of used baits in my boat and I generally use what I can find if they are hitting everything. I won 2 club tournaments with just the baits I found laying in the back of my boat. Allen

Rebel crickethopper and that pic is a sure way to break the ceramic in your tip eyelet. Allen

If I could only use one color of soft plastic it would be Green Pumkin. Allen

Stnford would be the closest but this looks custom. Allen

If you have GP weights that you would like to trade I will swap them out for solid black or red. Most of my fishing I use a GP weight so I will be willing to swap. Allen

The hook size I use depends on the bait I am using. Example being there is no reason to use a 5/0 EWG hook with a 4" senko as it will kill the action. Honestly I use a lot of 2/0 hooks and have caught many 6lb+ fish on them for creature baits and senkos. Do not think you can only catch big fish or will gut hook them using smaller hooks. Allen

Rattle Trap in 1/2oz, Kinami Rad shad and Team Daiwa are my top 3 for steady retrieve. If I plan on yo-yoing the bait the SK red eye shad works best. The RT and Kinami work best on the lower Potomac in spring and I found that any color works as long as it is reflective about 1/2oz. Deep Creek Lake they like the translucent TD baits but that place has 20 FOW visibility so it is a whole different ball game. The high end LC, Yo Zuri Drum, etc, have never caught a thing for me which is disappointing. Allen

To everyone stating to keep throwing it I can see how this bait should work but it is just frustrating with it getting fouled so often. Kind of like the chatterbait, all my fishing instincts tell me it will work at the appropriate time that I just have not found yet. Allen

Since most of the places I fish receive so much pressure I go with silent most of the time. Allen

Tried it the other night giving it another chance and achieved a new personal best. I was able to make 3 consecutive casts without it catching; grass, leaves, etc. which stop the prop. If I can just find a place to fish that has zero floating debris I may actually catch something with it. Allen

I bet that bottom one would work better without the rubber bands on it. Allen

RC 1.5 in copper perch works everywhere. Allen

The advantage of making your own baits is you make whatever you want. Since Tom gave up the secret I do best on this bait with double Indiana blades as well. Allen

https://www.barlowstackle.com/VMC-7329-Jig-Hook-P3468.aspx I have been pouring them using these hooks and I really like them so far. What Owners ones are you using as I will send you some of the ones I made if I have some poured. Allen

https://store.do-itmolds.com/Weighted-Hook-Jig_c_122.html They make 2 different molds. Allen

You should try new VMC hooks for this mold. Allen

You are not going to find anyone that can make that exact jighead as it is spincasted and proprietary to Berkley. Seibert can make you something similar using the Trokar mold and blending living rubber along with silicone for skirt material. Allen

I use the Owner ones all the time and have recently bought a mold to start pouring them. Allen

I would have to see a better picture but my two best guesses are; Trokar football, and the Shawn Collins stand-up football molds. Neither of these molds I mentioned have eye sockets so you would have to just stick on some flat-eyes. The link below shows the head from different angles. http://www.tackletour.com/reviewise2008pg2.html Allen

I have caught a lot of big fish on different baits but if I had to use just one to catch a big fish it would be a jig. Allen