Bladed Jig Advice

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

I’ve been using a bladed jig/chatterbait much more lately. I’m usually throwing a 1/4oz (sometimes 3/8) with a rage swimmer or Keitech trailer in 5-6ft of water with 2-4ft of submerged grass. Currently using my lipless rod... Falcon Bucoo Trap Caster 7’ MH/MF with a 6.3:1 Shimano SLX spooled up with 12# Yo Zuri Top Knot. I was burning it over the grass and I lost quite a few fish on their first jump. Felt like I got a good hookset, but fish came off like I didn’t. Any ideas?

[Bluebasser86]

Some days you lose them, some days you don't. I'm not a fan of the moderate or MF rods for bladed jigs because I felt I missed and lost far more fish than I do with a fast action rod, especially around grass. It's a big, heavy hook that takes a good amount of force to bury, especially at a distance. If it was a regular jig, would you feel confident in your setup to get a solid hookset? It's the same size hook. 12lb fluoro is going to stretch a bunch on a long cast, combined with a little softer rod, while it might "feel" like you're getting a good hookset, you might not be. 

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

46 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Some days you lose them, some days you don't. I'm not a fan of the moderate or MF rods for bladed jigs because I felt I missed and lost far more fish than I do with a fast action rod, especially around grass. It's a big, heavy hook that takes a good amount of force to bury, especially at a distance. If it was a regular jig, would you feel confident in your setup to get a solid hookset? It's the same size hook. 12lb fluoro is going to stretch a bunch on a long cast, combined with a little softer rod, while it might "feel" like you're getting a good hookset, you might not be. 

I’m wondering if it was just a “lose em” kind a day. I personally like the MF especially at a distance because I feel like it lets the fish get the bait a little more 

[Bluebasser86]

8 minutes ago, Big_Easy_Bassin said:

I’m wondering if it was just a “lose em” kind a day. I personally like the MF especially at a distance because I feel like it lets the fish get the bait a little more 

I get the thinking, and it's probably kind of a wash. There's the MF "let the fish eat the bait", camp, then there's the fast action "drive the big hook" camp. Both have their valid points. I've seen too many baits in the fish's throats to feel like they need more time to get the bait  I use a 6' 9" H/F. 

[Ricatkinson]

Here's a youtube video where Brett Hite talks about the setup and hookset he uses.  I found it pretty helpful.

[A-Jay]

10 hours ago, Big_Easy_Bassin said:

I’ve been using a bladed jig/chatterbait much more lately. I’m usually throwing a 1/4oz (sometimes 3/8) with a rage swimmer or Keitech trailer in 5-6ft of water with 2-4ft of submerged grass. Currently using my lipless rod... Falcon Bucoo Trap Caster 7’ MH/MF with a 6.3:1 Shimano SLX spooled up with 12# Yo Zuri Top Knot. I was burning it over the grass and I lost quite a few fish on their first jump. Felt like I got a good hookset, but fish came off like I didn’t. Any ideas?

Some solid & experienced based advice offered here already.

@Bluebasser86 makes his own baits and hammers fish with them on a routine basis.   His success speaks for itself. 

I prefer a Moderate action rod myself and do OK with it.

Either way I believe if you pump up your line size to at least 15 lb (17 or 20 would be better) you'll see an increase in hook-up percentage - especially on a longer cast.

 Finally, and you may already be doing this - something that has helped me a ton when throwing a vibrating jig, is to make sure - once I detect a strike -  TO KEEP REELING RIGHT THROUGH THE HOOKSET.  Something I didn't do much of before I started fishing these baits.  This one change has improved my own catch ratio markedly.   I do it for spinnerbaits as well.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

 

[813basstard]

^yeah, like usual, what AJ said. I like to set the hook at least one more time once I get them away from cover as well. 

On long casts, it can be nearly impossible to keep them from jumping, but once they get somewhat closer I try to keep the rod tip close to the water so they’re getting pulled toward the boat. The two I lost on Saturday would like me to know, I do not have this technique mastered as of yet...

[LionHeart]

11 hours ago, Big_Easy_Bassin said:

I’ve been using a bladed jig/chatterbait much more lately. I’m usually throwing a 1/4oz (sometimes 3/8) with a rage swimmer or Keitech trailer in 5-6ft of water with 2-4ft of submerged grass. Currently using my lipless rod... Falcon Bucoo Trap Caster 7’ MH/MF with a 6.3:1 Shimano SLX spooled up with 12# Yo Zuri Top Knot. I was burning it over the grass and I lost quite a few fish on their first jump. Felt like I got a good hookset, but fish came off like I didn’t. Any ideas?

I have the same rod and while I usually use it for treble hook lures,  I also use it for spinner baits and smaller swim jigs.   IMO it has plenty of power for 1/4-3/8 chatter baits.

 

Then again I use braid to leader, so line stretch is removed from the equation.  

[J.Vincent]

Have you tried removing the Plastic Trailer ? Or downsizing the Plastic trailer ? Are they only committing to the action on the Trailer and not bringing the jig portion of the lure in for a solid set ? Just a few questions to consider, if none of these apply than I would chalk it up as “just one of those days”. Especially if you have been catching them recently on the same setup.

[Big_Easy_Bassin]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

Some solid & experienced based advice offered here already.

@Bluebasser86 makes his own baits and hammers fish with them on a routine basis.   His success speaks for itself. 

I prefer a Moderate action rod myself and do OK with it.

Either way I believe if you pump up your line size to at least 15 lb (17 or 20 would be better) you'll see an increase in hook-up percentage - especially on a longer cast.

 Finally, and you may already be doing this - something that has helped me a ton when throwing a vibrating jig, is to make sure - once I detect a strike -  TO KEEP REELING RIGHT THROUGH THE HOOKSET.  Something I didn't do much of before I started fishing these baits.  This one change has improved my own catch ratio markedly.   I do it for spinnerbaits as well.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

 

Thanks for that suggestion about going with heavier line. I had this idea in my head already so I will definitely try it out. Thinking I’ll go with 17# and see how that feels and go from there. I’m also considering going to a slightly faster reel. They were aggressive on this particular evening and I had two or three fish knock about 5ft of slack in my line. 

10 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I get the thinking, and it's probably kind of a wash. There's the MF "let the fish eat the bait", camp, then there's the fast action "drive the big hook" camp. Both have their valid points. I've seen too many baits in the fish's throats to feel like they need more time to get the bait  I use a 6' 9" H/F. 

These pics say it all lol. Might do some experimenting with a different power/action rod. Looking into getting a new spinnerbait/buzzbait rod so I could try that out. 

[Black Hawk Basser]

A-Jay had a good point about reeling through the hook set.  I fully concur.

[Fishes in trees]

I've found the Bucoo Trap Caster to be very good for any reaction type bait.  That is the only rod in the last 10 years that I've paid list for - came across it at Walmart of all places, liked it and bought it.. I use mine exclusively for lipless cranks, but I think it would work great for chatter baits.   If I would change anything about your set up it would be the line and maybe the reel.  I think you could go a half ounce bait and 17 or 20 lb line and lose very little in terms of casting distance,  number of strikes, and ability to fish it high in the water column.     What you would gain is less line stretch.  Because I'm an old guy and I remember when 5-1 was a "high speed" reel, that's what I'd use.  (Also that is what I have laying around). Currently that is a Calcutta 250 TEGT which has a 5-1 gear ratio.  I'm pretty sure that is a much heavier reel that your Shimano SLX, but I'm ok with it.  It is just when I'm throwing "feel" baits that a reel bigger than a Chronarch 50 feels heavy to me.