Huddleston Deluxe 68 Weedless

[Brett's_daddy]

I'm contemplating getting one of these and just wanted to know from people who have them and fish them if they think they live up to the hype? I'm looking at the slow sink 6" version as that's coming in right at 2oz. which is at the top of my lure weight limit to throw. Do you run them on fluoro or braid? How is the durability? How much better are they then let's say a Savage Gear Line-through Trout?

[J Francho]

Hype?  No, it's not hype.  It's best in class lure of it's type and a staple for most dedicated swimbaiters.  Fish it the same way you'd fish a jig.  Bottom contact is a must.  I personally don't like the weedless version as much as the top hook.  I'm usually just outside the weed line with them anyway.  I like the American Trash Fish rigged on an Owner Beast for weeds.

 

Slow sink would good for somewhat shallower water.  I prefer the ROF 12 versions, since I fish fairly deep.  I use 20# P-line CXX.  Mend-it fixes tears, though there's nothing you can do about a pike.  I have a couple with the paint wore off the face, and they still get bit.  They are a totally different bait than a line thru plastic.

[All about da bass]

Didn't somebody catch two 11s and a 17 over in Cali? Or was it a different size, I'm not sure. I think he even made the Bass master magazine.

[Bluebasser86]

That was the 8" Hudd

 

I have not had a lot of success on the 68's. Looking forward to the new Savage Gear baits that look similar but are a line thru bait. I've caught some fish on the 3D trout, but it's a much faster retrieve bait than the Hudd is. 

[WRB]

What rod are you planning to use? Your rod is very important! Line; Sunline 25 lb Defier Armilo Nylon is all I use for swimbaits including Hudds.

The 68 Hudd weighs 2 1/4 oz a 1/4 oz heavier the the 6" Hudd, more importantly it fishes heavier. 

No lure is a panacea to catching big bass including Hudds. I own and use over 18 Hudds and 0 Savage Gear because SG came out after the Hudds and don't need anymore soft swimbaits.

Where I fish Hudds work good.

Tom

[camman]

Hudd 68 is the best Swimbait out there IMO.  I also prefer the top hook over the weedless (better hookup) even when throwing in weeds/wood. I use 25lb mono

[Brett's_daddy]

My rod is an iRod Fiber 7'5" H/F Fred's Magic Stick. Not sure if I'd dare throw the 12 ROF as that weighs 2.5oz...probably would stick with the 5 ROF as that weighs 2oz. and that's the max recommended lure weight for my rod.

[JustJames]

I like hudd 68 special weedless but don't like savage gear since it has to fish faster to make it effective. I also prefer ROF 5 since I fish mostly shallow area. Have you ever throw anything heavier on that rod? I use Phoenix MBX 700XH lure rated 1-1/2 oz for my 68 special. For line since I use smaller size reel (curado 200i) so I use #15 Izorline. On my Luna 253 I have 17lbs mono pair with Phoenix 79H.

[Graham]

17 hours ago, J Francho said:

Fish it the same way you'd fish a jig.

I’ve always just slow rolled it, you catch em bouncing it? 

[J Francho]

4 hours ago, Graham said:

I’ve always just slow rolled it, you catch em bouncing it? 

Not even bouncing it.  Imagine a trout feeding on the bottom, distracted and unwary of predators.

 

To the OP, don't bother with the iRod you mentioned.  If you want to throw baits of this size and larger, get a proper swimbait rod.  The Okuma Guide Select SB rod in heavy model will suit you well, and is reasonably priced.

[Brett's_daddy]

Sounds like for now I'll stick with the small glide baits etc. Maybe next year I'll get into the bigger swim baits like the Hudd.

[WRB]

20 hours ago, Brett's_daddy said:

My rod is an iRod Fiber 7'5" H/F Fred's Magic Stick. Not sure if I'd dare throw the 12 ROF as that weighs 2.5oz...probably would stick with the 5 ROF as that weighs 2oz. and that's the max recommended lure weight for my rod.

The IRG 754F would be better then IRF 754F fiber rod for the weedless 68 Hudd is getting a good hook set. As long as you don't try to whip the cast to get longer distance over loading the rod and slow down and let the rod cast the lure it should be OK.

Agree a swimbait rod rated 1-5 oz would be ideal.

Tom

[Comfortably Numb]

Most any heavy rod will cast the 68 no prob. You just need to lob it. 

[WRB]

Define heavy rod?

Tom

[SPEEDBEAD.]

On ‎5‎/‎13‎/‎2018 at 12:48 AM, Comfortably Numb said:

Most any heavy rod will cast the 68 no prob. You just need to lob it. 

 

Casting may not be an issue, setting the hook most certainly will be.

 

I can pound a nail with a wrench but I'd rather have a hammer.

[WRB]

41 minutes ago, SPEEDBEAD. said:

 

Casting may not be an issue, setting the hook most certainly will be.

 

I can pound a nail with a wrench but I'd rather have a hammer.

Hi Speed, haven't heard from you a long time!

You nailed it! Heavy wire hook rigged weedless in 68 Hudd, hook set is the issue.

Tom

[Comfortably Numb]

Guy are using mono which makes a heavy rod a medium as far as hooksets and stretch go.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Hi Speed, haven't heard from you a long time!

You nailed it! Heavy wire hook rigged weedless in 68 Hudd, hook set is the issue.

Tom

Just now able to log back in.

[J Francho]

43 minutes ago, SPEEDBEAD. said:

Just now able to log back in.

I know a guy....

[SPEEDBEAD.]

23 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I know a guy....

You don't know a guy in IT where I work LOL

[J Francho]

Ahhhh....

 

So not on our side.