Missile Baits "The 48"

[PaBassMan13]

I could not find any info on the Missile Baits 48 on here so I thought I would get things started. Let me first start by saying I LOVE the Missile Baits "The 48". This is a fairly new bait released by Missile and is now available from most major tackle dealers online. I would say in my own words that this may just be the very best (finesse) bait ever created. May I also add that I am in no way associated with Missile Baits; nor do I get product from them or any monetary rewards. Honestly; up until about 3 months ago I really wasn't too keen on the baits they manufactured. But all of that changed!

 

About three weeks ago I received an email from Tackle Warehouse; in that email they were basically showcasing new products to correspond with iCast. In that email I saw an interesting little bait called "the 48"; which basically stands for the fact that it is a 4.8" worm style bait. In recent years I have NOT been the kind of person to go out and buy all the latest and greatest. But for some reason this one appealed to me; given the fact that I love fishing a wacky rig is probably what made it stand out. Plus the usual great write-up on the description of the bait really sucks you in, haha. They state quite a bit about the versatility of this bait which also sounded very good. 

 

I received my initial supply of 48's in Black, Green Pumpkin and Super Bug. My first impression upon opening the bag.....WOW! My second and third and fourth impressions after having this out on the water numerous times now.....WOW! Could this be the best bait ever created for the lakes that I fish here in SE, PA......ABSOLUTELY! Is this one of; if not the most versatile baits created.....ABSOLUTELY! The colors are great; the design is fantastic, the durability is phenomenal (they are super tough) and the price is not too shabby either. You get 8 of these baits for $4.99 which is about par for a top quality bait. I had wished they were a little cheaper but after using them and seeing the durability first hand I have no issues with the price. 

 

I use this bait on a weightless wacky rig which is first and foremost why I was excited about this bait. It has not disappointed one bit. With the skinnier mid-section of the bait the action while it is sinking in the water is awesome. I do also use an o-ring with this bait like I always have with other worm. It's still meaty in the mid-section though so an o-ring fits it very well. I have had great success with this bait and have caught a few nice bass along with numerous solid "keepers". With the o-ring I have had just one bait last a whole 5-6 hour trip out on the lake. 

 

The second great technique for this bait is a Ned Rig; all you do is cut the bait in half and you now have two Ned Rig baits. The worm is 4.8" so you now have a top quality Ned Rig bait that measures in at 2.4"; just the right size in my opinion. And man does this catch Bass. My first trip with this rigged up Ned Style was this past weekend. I certainly caught a few but the trip was highlighted by a beautiful 4lb+ bass caught in shallow water. What a great fight on my Ned Rig Rod (Lew's ML 6-7" Mach Speed Stick) and 6 lb. test line. The bait held up well during the battle as well; it is still rigged up and ready for the next trip out on the water. 

 

The manufacturer also states that this bait can be rigged just like a texas rigged weightless Senko,it can be rigged on a Neko Rig, it can be tail weighted with a nail for an equal action to the Havoc Back Slide. It sounds like the possibilities are endless with this bait. I believe it will work well in all of those cases. Although I only use this bait for wacky and Ned Rigging I am sure I will break out and use it for other techniques as well.

 

Anyone else use this bait yet? If so; are you equally impressed? I LOVE this bait; just in case you haven't guessed that already......HAHA!

[PaBassMan13]

Anyone else using this bait yet? I am very surprised at the lack of comments on this post. All I can say is that if you are not using this bait for any of the many techniques it can be used for you are really missing out. It's been a while since I started this topic and the results with this bait have gotten even better. The only difference from my original post is that I use it for more techniques now and I have absolutely been loving the fishalicious color; it's been my number one bait this fall so far. 

 

If you're on FB; be sure to like Missile Baits page; they are doing a series on the 48 different ways you can rig the 48 worm; good stuff! 

[burrows]

Never used it never heard of it if I did I don't remember but the way your talking about the bait I'll probably check em out now for sure.

[DSTN]

I saw a write up on the 48 somewhere in the last week or so and that was the first I had heard of it. I like the versatility and if they are that durable I'll probably have to give them a shot.

[MrPeanut]

I've recently picked up a couple bags in super bug as well.  I'm a big fan of the versatility - it will become a staple in my bag for sure

 

 

[Avalonjohn44]

Saw them at the Doswell VA fishing show last year, John Crews was demonstrating them and was getting bit when he tossing these out. They fish didn't even blink at anything else...  I haven't picked any up yet, but have had my eye on them since that show... Will definitely be grabbing some now. 

[NorcalBassin]

Looks pretty similar to RI's Pocket Rocket. I'm a fan of Missile Baits and will be giving them a try... thanks for bringing them to our attention. 

[islandbass]

@PaBassMan13: I had never heard of these lures before your reading your post and I would not have thought much more of it had it not been for your enthusiasm for them. I must say that your enthusiasm is responsible for piquing my curiosity.  I looked into these The 48 thingamajiggers and man, oh man, I think they're going to fit well with my preferred type of fishing. 

 

Regrettably, they're out of stock at my local BPS and I don't like to order things unless I really, really, have to.

 

Thanks!  I plan on getting my hand of some of these soon.

[Bluebasser86]

They look nice but I have a really hard time buying plastics that are almost $1 a bait. 

[fishballer06]

I bought a pack of these worms and tried them out this summer/fall. As always with Missle, a quality plastic bait. However, I'm very unimpressed by this bait. The design of the bait with a skinnier middle and chunky ends makes it fold in half in the water and have little/no action at all. I bought these worms because they were touted as a bait that excelled for wacky and Neko rigging. However I found that the bait just laid down flat on the bottom while Neko rigging, where I would prefer my Neko bait have a tail that stands up some.

[WRB]

9 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

They look nice but I have a really hard time buying plastics that are almost $1 a bait. 

Strike King Rage soft plastic are about the same price as Missle Baits 48; .60c each.

Tom

[Bluebasser86]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Strike King Rage soft plastic are about the same price as Missle Baits 48; .60c each.

Tom

Another bait I have a difficult time spending the money on. I watch for sales and pick them up when prices are more to my liking and only buy the staple baits and colors, mainly craws and menace because there's nothing else quite like them out there.

[PaBassMan13]

On 11/3/2017 at 2:27 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

They look nice but I have a really hard time buying plastics that are almost $1 a bait. 

Actually most places sell them for $5 and you get 8 baits per pack making them $.63 each. Bit to each there own; right? With the durability and fish catching abilities of this bait I have no issue spending $5 a pack. But that's me. But seriously; buy one pack and try them : )

On 11/3/2017 at 8:54 AM, fishballer06 said:

I bought a pack of these worms and tried them out this summer/fall. As always with Missle, a quality plastic bait. However, I'm very unimpressed by this bait. The design of the bait with a skinnier middle and chunky ends makes it fold in half in the water and have little/no action at all. I bought these worms because they were touted as a bait that excelled for wacky and Neko rigging. However I found that the bait just laid down flat on the bottom while Neko rigging, where I would prefer my Neko bait have a tail that stands up some.

Sorry to hear you didn't like this. I hope my "review" didn't mis-represent them to you. I LOVE them on a wacky rig; especially on a wacky jighead. I like the skinnier middle; I personally think it gives them better action on a wacky rig; but just my two cents, haha. I still like the Berkley Shaky Snakes for the Neko Rig but the 48's have been doing well for me on the rig as well. Not to be stupid; but do you keep your rod tip up when fishing the Neko Rig? Just asking! 

[fishballer06]

6 minutes ago, PaBassMan13 said:

do you keep your rod tip up when fishing the Neko Rig?

Yes, helps detect bites easier and determine bottom composition.

[PaBassMan13]

6 minutes ago, fishballer06 said:

Yes, helps detect bites easier and determine bottom composition.

Sorry; I wasn't trying to insult you in any way, haha!

 

As a side note to my post; I am a finesse-only Bass Fisherman which is why I am so excited about this bait. I can use this bait for just about every finesse technique I use. My tackle bag is a lot smaller now and a lot more organized since one bait covers so many different uses. But just because it works so well for me doesn't mean it will work for everyone. We all live in different places across the country and we all fish different lakes. All I can say is that these work very well for me on my local highly pressured waters.

[Bluebasser86]

On 11/6/2017 at 2:55 PM, PaBassMan13 said:

Actually most places sell them for $5 and you get 8 baits per pack making them $.63 each. Bit to each there own; right? With the durability and fish catching abilities of this bait I have no issue spending $5 a pack. But that's me. But seriously; buy one pack and try them : )

Reminds me a lot of the Zoom Magnum Finesse worm, which is one of my favorite shakyhead baits, just for almost twice the price per bait. I'm sure they'll work just fine, most baits in that genre of baits do, but I've really been attempting to pare down my gear and that's an area of soft plastics that I'm 100% comfortable with the small selection I've whittled it down to. 

[primetime]

I would love to try this bait, but I hate lugging around a 50lb back pack stuffed with plastics just to fish a puddle. I saw this worm at Dick's and really struggled not to buy it, I am sure it works, but at the end of the day, it is just another worm. I am sure it works like most worms. Missle makes good stuff.

[Birdman2136]

I have tried the Missile Craw and D Bomb both of which I really like. Especially the Missile Craw.

 

What hook do you use when whacky rigging the 48? 

[PaBassMan13]

On 11/26/2017 at 11:06 PM, Birdman2136 said:

I have tried the Missile Craw and D Bomb both of which I really like. Especially the Missile Craw.

 

What hook do you use when whacky rigging the 48? 

Sorry Birdman; I only saw your question today. I use the VMC Ike approved wacky hooks in a size 2/0.