Live Magic Shad

[shootermcbob]

I have been having some good luck with the 3.5 inch live magic shad. Can't seem to buy a bite on the 4.5 or 5.5 versions?

which got me to thinking...How do you guys rig these ? And where do you fish them?

I am a shore fisherman, so my options are somewhat limited, but I have had success swimming them on a steady retrieve along the rip-rap.

I rig them with a round ball jighead (1/4 oz) with the hook exposed.

I have also tried them on a dropshot rig...without success.

Thanks for any tips or suggestions in advance.

[roadwarrior]

Sworming Hornet

Cast the lure out and let it fall on slack line. When the lure reaches the bottom,

reel up QUICKLY, then let it fall again. Repeat until you feel you are "out of the

zone". DO NOT move the lure by lifting the rod, that simply moves it forward. Reeling

quickly causes the lure to rise due to the action of the spinner.

[bassin is addicting]

3.5" on a scrounger head is one of my "go-to" rigs....

[shootermcbob]

both great suggestions.

RW, thanks for additional technique info on how to fish. What size/weight swarming hornet lure do you use? and which size live magic shad?

bassin is addicting...do you fish that scrounger/live magic shad combo on a straight retrieve?

[bassin is addicting]

yes. i may have to vary the speed to find what is working that day..... but usually on just a steady medium speed retrieve.

the action of the bait is great by itself but with that scrounger head (the medium size bill works best for me) the swimming action is awesome..

i've also had luck using a 2/0 weighted swim bait hook tex-posed/skin hooked. i will use a steady retrieve but also do something like RW does with the sworming hornet too to see what may be working. you can bring it through alot of cover with this type hook as opposed to an exposed hook.

[A-Jay]

I've been using the 4.5" size as a spinnerbait and swimjig trailer - and I'm liking it.

The directions indicate a swimbait hook type rig - but I can't find a make / model to match it - they are all too long ? ! ? !

What's up with That ?

A-Jay

[shootermcbob]

Good point A-Jay. I have to be really careful not to rig the ball head jig too far back on the live magic shad, as I have noticed if the hook comes out clear at the back of the first segment of the bait, it does affect the swimming action.

I would have never thought to use them with a spinnerbait. Do you leave the skirt on?

[A-Jay]

Good point A-Jay. I have to be really careful not to rig the ball head jig too far back on the live magic shad, as I have noticed if the hook comes out clear at the back of the first segment of the bait, it does affect the swimming action.

I would have never thought to use them with a spinnerbait. Do you leave the skirt on?

I have been - but I imagine you could do with out it - more of a natural look.

That is if you can call a hunk of metal wire with a wildly spinning shiny blade flailing around wildly above it - natural ?

A-Jay

[*Hootie]

Been using as a Chatterbait trailer with good results. Seems to attract bigger baits.

Hootie

[iceintheveins]

Does anybody here try fishing it weightless like a fluke?

[Raul]

Does anybody here try fishing it weightless like a fluke?

I do, the small version doesn´t swim well, the larger versions have a deadly swimming motion, cast, let is sink and when you have reached the depth where fish are holding swim it by reeling in very slowly and steadily, stop, twitch the bait once or twice and if that doesn´t catch anything, repeat, the way the bait darts is an attention getter.

[Jay Ell Gee]

I fish mine on a 4/0 Gamakatsu hook. It's an EWG, has a hook keeper on the front to screw the nose into, and also has a weight on the bottom of the hook to act as a keel and keep it upright. A twitch/reel retrieve works very well.

I can't believe I am telling you this... But if you tear the nose on a few...

Run the body right before the first joint on a wacky jig head. Fish it along the bottom and pop it off the bottom over and over. Oh, and hold on. The hits are bone jarring.