Trouble With Shroomz Heads

[Preytorien]

I keep having Shroomz heads that are pitifully fragile. I notice that many times after a while the metal barb plastic-keeper will break off, and I actually broke a hook clean off last night unhooking a fish, which makes twice I've done that in the past couple of months.

 

Here's to hoping they beef up those hooks a bit since I've not found a better replacement for them yet.

 

Anyone else having the same durability issues with them?

[Tim Kelly]

Yep. I got a pack and snapped the hook at the bend. Gone back to using my home poured heads with a number 2 VMC hook and superglueing the baits on.

[Preytorien]

Man that sounds like a good idea, I just don't pour my own unfortunately.

 

I may try the Gamakatsu Alien heads, although they don't stand it straight up. I wonder how much difference that'd make?

 

If that doesn't work out, I'll have to go back to the Shroomz heads, and just make sure I stock up when I see them

[garvin]

I've only had one break on me, but the more importantly, when are they going to finally release the weedless Shroomz?! I want to be able to fish them in weeds, brush, and stump fields WHERE THE BASS LIVE!

[gardnerjigman]

I keep having Shroomz heads that are pitifully fragile. I notice that many times after a while the metal barb plastic-keeper will break off, and I actually broke a hook clean off last night unhooking a fish, which makes twice I've done that in the past couple of months.

 

Here's to hoping they beef up those hooks a bit since I've not found a better replacement for them yet.

 

Anyone else having the same durability issues with them?

 

PM Bluebasser86. You'll thank me later. He makes some wicked NED heads that I promise won't break! 

[Fishes in trees]

Rather than wait for the weedless Shroomz head, go to the Charlie Brewer web site and  get yourself some slider heads.   They make a wide variety of weights & shapes, several of which are very applicable to Ned rigs.  As far as breaking hooks go, every so often you're going to break a hook.  Some years I won't break any, other years I'll break a few.  Every time you have to bust out the needle nose pliers, you might break a hook - especially when you've bent it kinda back into shape several times.

[ChrisD46]

On a mushroom style or wormhead style jig it's a #4 or #2 hook size - anything larger and your leaving the Ned reservation .

[Big Swimbait]

PM Bluebasser86. You'll thank me later. He makes some wicked NED heads that I promise won't break! 

Plus 2 - very well made.

[smalljaw67]

I make my own and the way some people use them makes me think mine will break as well. The number one problem I find with finesse anglers is most of them try to finesse on tackle that is too heavy. When I was in business I got a call from a guy who bought a dozen shaky heads in a 1/8oz weight with a 3/0 hook, he told me the hook bent and so I was going to replace it but first I wanted to know what he was fishing the head on. He tells me he was using a 7. MH spinning rod, 300 size reel with 30# power pro braid and a 14# fluorocarbon leader, I didn't replace his head because I told him it is a light line finesse technique meant for 6lb to 10lb line maximum with a medium light to medium power spinning rod, if he wanted heavier I could make heavier but he insisted on the light wire hooks. The reason for this is I found you tube videos and there are some from guys like Jeff Kriet who recommend 6lb to 8lb like and then another from a guy who fishes on lake fork who recommends a heavier set up but he says to compensate with the drag, and that is the problem, too many conflicting views but there is stuff made for each way. The NED rig is designed with an Aberdeen hook, Aberdeen hooks are made to bend straight to free from snags and most 90 degree jig hooks are of this type. Now, when you use 10# line and up, you bend the hooks while bringing fish to the boat because you can get them in by pulling but eventually you'll bend the hook one to many times and it will break. I'm not saying that is what happened, but I hear this same thing from guys not really use to finesse fishing, they tend to use finesse presentations with heavy line and rods, I've watched guys fishing slider worms with 17# line and MH casting rods because they were concerned about break offs when the very tackle will cause them to either bend the hook out or not let the bait move freely enough to get bit. My point is this, my mushroom head and hook is better than what is on the production model, this I'm pretty sure of but if used the wrong way it will break and the same thing with the production model, it isn't going to last fishing in cover or with line heavier than 8lb because it was made to fish open water with 4# to 8# line and expecting it to hold up using anything else is unrealistic.

[Tim Kelly]

Agreed, but the shroomz jigs have a forged looking hook and it isn't keen on being bent, but prefers to snap. I broke one that had bent out a bit bending it back to shape. My home pours with VMC aberdeen hooks can be bent back into shape a lot of times before they need retiring. I wouldn't be surprised if the act of welding the spike onto the shroomz hook spoils the temper of the hook and makes them brittle.

[bowhunter63]

I just used some the other day and didnt notice any problems.Thanks for the heads up something to look for.

[Team9nine]

Have not broke a single ShroomZ hook yet, but have had the wire welded on keeper fall off of every one I've used at some point. Just pulled out the super glue and kept going after that. Not as convenient, but just as effective. Also, don't forget about the original Ned head, the Gopher mushroom. You can get custom pours around higher quality hooks from them, too. I still use Gophers more than I use ShroomZ since I can get the smaller finesse hooks in them, plus a much better variety of colors. Several of the custom pourers mentioned, and a couple that aren't, are also a good option.

 

-T9

[ChrisD46]

Have not broke a single ShroomZ hook yet, but have had the wire welded on keeper fall off of every one I've used at some point. Just pulled out the super glue and kept going after that. Not as convenient, but just as effective. Also, don't forget about the original Ned head, the Gopher mushroom. You can get custom pours around higher quality hooks from them, too. I still use Gophers more than I use ShroomZ since I can get the smaller finesse hooks in them, plus a much better variety of colors. Several of the custom pourers mentioned, and a couple that aren't, are also a good option.

 

-T9

I just got a batch of 1/16th oz. Gophers (brown) with #4 size Eagle Claw hooks - quality looks good .

My instinct was to use the #2 size hook but I forced myself to go smaller knowing that Ned has even used #6 size hooks with success .

I'm going to stay with the 1/16th oz. Gophers in a #4 hook size until there is some valid reason to go bigger (#2 hook size) with a TRD or 1/2 Zinkerz..

Next batch I may also get plain unpainted Gophers - then hit them with some fingernail polish (like Shinichi Fukae) or give them a quick dip in powder paint .

[Team9nine]

I just got a batch of 1/16th oz. Gophers (brown) with #4 size Eagle Claw hooks - quality looks good .

My instinct was to use the #2 size hook but I forced myself to go smaller knowing that Ned has even used #6 size hooks with success .

I'm going to stay with the 1/16th oz. Gophers in a #4 hook size until there is some valid reason to go bigger (#2 hook size) with a TRD or 1/2 Zinkerz..

Next batch I may also get plain unpainted Gophers - then hit them with some fingernail polish (like Shinichi Fukae) or give them a quick dip in powder paint .

 

General rule of thumb is to use #6 with 1/32 oz., #4 with 1/16 oz., and #2 with 3/32 oz. I get the Gophers poured with the light wire Gammis, and go with #2s on 1/16s because the Gammis run a bit smaller than normal, but I still go #4s with the traditional bronze EC hooks. Everybody has their preferences though. One little trick with the smaller hooks is to take your thumbnail or a pair of pliers and slightly bend the point out just a smidge to open the gap a bit. Seems to help with hooking.

 

-T9

[ChrisD46]

General rule of thumb is to use #6 with 1/32 oz., #4 with 1/16 oz., and #2 with 3/32 oz. I get the Gophers poured with the light wire Gammis, and go with #2s on 1/16s because the Gammis run a bit smaller than normal, but I still go #4s with the traditional bronze EC hooks. Everybody has their preferences though. One little trick with the smaller hooks is to take your thumbnail or a pair of pliers and slightly bend the point out just a smidge to open the gap a bit. Seems to help with hooking.

 

-T9

Good suggestions T-9 ...I also have some finesse shroomz heads in 1/15th oz. size - do you open the hook gap on these any or leave them alone ?

[Choporoz]

I've tried a few different ones this year.  z-mans have been pretty good.  Two different ebay specials were terrible.

Best ones I've used look like this:

http://www.fishing-headquarters.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Lip-stick-jig-worm-19-Watermelon.png

 

Unfortunately, I don't have the package and can't remember what they are....

 

Anybody recognize these?

[Team9nine]

Good suggestions T-9 ...I also have some finesse shroomz heads in 1/15th oz. size - do you open the hook gap on these any or leave them alone ?

 

They use a regular sized #2 hook in all sizes/weights of ShroomZ heads to my knowledge, so I don't find the need to alter the existing hook/gap. 

 

 

I've tried a few different ones this year.  z-mans have been pretty good.  Two different ebay specials were terrible.

Best ones I've used look like this:

http://www.fishing-headquarters.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Lip-stick-jig-worm-19-Watermelon.png

 

Unfortunately, I don't have the package and can't remember what they are....

 

Anybody recognize these?

 

Closet thing I've found are the VMC half moon jigheads, but they only have a single barb. That double barb version might be a custom pour, or if not, no longer made.

 

-T9

[rippin-lips]

I just get all 3 sizes poured with a #2 hook.

[ChrisD46]

They use a regular sized #2 hook in all sizes/weights of ShroomZ heads to my knowledge, so I don't find the need to alter the existing hook/gap. 

 

 

 

Closet thing I've found are the VMC half moon jigheads, but they only have a single barb. That double barb version might be a custom pour, or if not, no longer made.

 

-T9

Ditto - for added choices I would love to see VMC come out with a 1/16th oz. "half moon jighead jr".  with a #4 or #2 size hook to cater to those of us from the Ned nation !

[Preytorien]

I have a feeling the Ned Rig will be the only lure I've found so far that will actually produce for me during cold weather just before the water ices over

 

I have sporadic luck with a jerkbait and small jigs, but nothing consistent.

[Bluebasser86]

I have a feeling the Ned Rig will be the only lure I've found so far that will actually produce for me during cold weather just before the water ices over

 

I have sporadic luck with a jerkbait and small jigs, but nothing consistent.

I was catching good numbers (for winter fishing), of smallmouth in 38-40 degree water late last year on a deadsticked Ned. Holding it right off the bottom almost like crappie fishing and they'd just load up. Dragging it slowly on the bottom worked well also.