Heddon Moss Boss

[Preytorien]

So I received a Heddon Moss Boss in my stocking a couple years ago. I haven't bothered to take it out of the package, but the other day I gave it a second look and realized that even though I took it out, I would have no idea how to fish this. A couple things came to mind while I fumbled around with it in-hand.

 

1. How can you work this through weeds/moss/slop without the snap on the front getting caught in virtually EVERYTHING in its path? Do you guys remove it? It looks like the very basic design could easily foul up unless you're in vegetation, but moss/slop/algae would be a nightmare.

 

2. How do you keep the thing casting to where it lands upright, which apparently would be the only way to fish it successfully? Does it flip over on its own, or is it down to dumb luck that it lands right-side up?

 

3. I suppose the basic question is, how do you fish it? Is it designed for a steady retrieve over extreme cover, or is it walk-able in open water? I've never used one, for those who have, how did you fish it with success?

 

Thanks!

[Team9nine]

The old Moss Boss ?

 

1. Keep the snap on. Works best around “hard” vegetation like lily pads, or scattered open grass like milfoil. Can be used in slop though with some effectiveness.

 

2. Pretty much lands “on its back” as it’s supposed to by design, but a slight pull right before landing sometimes helps.

 

3. Fish walkable, like a Spook. It doesn’t have the side-to-side motion as much as a front-to-back walk. Just have to try it to see what I mean. Since it is lightweight plastic, can easily be paused around holes or next to cover.

 

A neat bait, albeit a little outdated. Definitely worth throwing though just to show the fish something different.

[georgeyew]

From my experience, as long as the opening on the snap is facing up, it does not snag much. As far as landing hook side up, I try to cast beyond my target in to open water and then drag it over....or before the lure hits the water, engage the reel and give a lure a quick tug, most of the time that will help the lure land right side up.

[WRB]

Like any weedless spoon you should control the landing by slowing it down and stopping it with your thumb...and controlled splat as you lift the rod top to move forward, then keeping reeling and working it like a frog. I remove the clip and tie direct.

Sharpen the heavy hook!

Tom

[jbrew73]

 Cool old school lure but not worth the effort with so many other lures and techniques available today. 

 

I do love fishing old lures with my grand dads pistol grip lews rod with a round abu for nostalgia. It that’s the extent of my old lure use.

[Scott F]

I fished with a guide up in Canada years ago who had a Moss Boss with no hook on it. He’d throw the hook-less lure up into the heavy reeds where big pike would lie. You could see the wakes of the fish follow the lure out to the edge of the weed line where the guides guest had a shot at the pike. If you hooked a big northern in those reeds, you’d never be able to get them out. The guides tactics really worked at helping guys get fish they’d never get otherwise.

[greentrout]

 

[Catt]

First take that snap between your thumb/forefinger & throw it in the trash can!

 

Learn how to tie a loop-knot

 

At roughly 3/8 of a ounce it fishes on top of matted vegetation very well.

 

[AJ Hauser]

On 9/4/2019 at 4:59 AM, Catt said:

First take that snap between your thumb/forefinger & throw it in the trash can!

 

Learn how to tie a loop-knot

 

At roughly 3/8 of a ounce it fishes on top of matted vegetation very well.

 

 

This is a little bit older post, but you said exactly what I was wondering about. I'd like to try one of these, and yesterday I found a slop filled lake (more like a marsh) with some heifers in it. I'm talking miles and miles of good-looking slop, with only 3 feet beneath - but surprisingly clear water. Pike and muskie have been stocked as well. 

 

Sounds like my best bet it to remove the snap, cast to open pockets then twitch the bait to get it hook-up and not stop it unless I want it to flutter down?

 

1. Any other suggestions for this lure?

2. Honestly, is it even worth throwing with so many other options available that seem to be a little less... frustrating? 

Thanks! 

[Catt]

@AJ Hauser Long before Hollow Body Frogs spoons were the goto for fishing matted grass. Like Hollow Body Frogs don't be afraid to throw spoons in open water.

[casts_by_fly]

2 hours ago, AJ Hauser said:

 

This is a little bit older post, but you said exactly what I was wondering about. I'd like to try one of these, and yesterday I found a slop filled lake (more like a marsh) with some heifers in it. I'm talking miles and miles of good-looking slop, with only 3 feet beneath - but surprisingly clear water. Pike and muskie have been stocked as well. 

 

Sounds like my best bet it to remove the snap, cast to open pockets then twitch the bait to get it hook-up and not stop it unless I want it to flutter down?

 

1. Any other suggestions for this lure?

2. Honestly, is it even worth throwing with so many other options available that seem to be a little less... frustrating? 

Thanks! 

 

short answer yes.  I carry talking spoons, moss bosses, weed walkers, and another spoon that I won't name.  The level of slop, slime, and type of grass make a difference to which one will fish better.  There are times where the action of one of them is the only thing the fish want all day.  Also, no one else is fishing them and everyone is throwing frogs and toads so...

[Catt]

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

no one else is fishing them and everyone is throwing frogs and toads so...

 

[AJ Hauser]

@Catt and @casts_by_fly thank you - and I was just going to ask if you messed with trailers right before you posted that picture. I also have a Northland Jaw Breaker spoon that I want to try out. It's super shallow here so I am seriously considering a trailer made from floating plastic to help keep it up a bit, but not completely. I have a feeling the Moss Boss is going to get mucked up more than that Jaw Breaker would, but I could see a trailer being helpful for both as long as it's compact... your thoughts? 

 

Thanks! 

 

Fun Fact: My trolling motor had no chance against the grass and muck in this lake, and I had to paddle around with my emergency kayak paddle... very slowly and painfully. My back is toast today... I had an idea though, and I'm currently making homemade oars out of wheelbarrow handles and random hardware from Farm & Fleet because nobody around here sells rowboat oars and I need to go back to these piggies before the weekend hits. It is hillbilly city over here... and it's so dumb it's gonna work! Hahahahaha

[Catt]

Jaw Breaker or Moss Boss usually doesn't get a trailer.

 

Uncle Josh Pork Frog is what we used for years. The flat surface of the Frog & the fat helps keep the spoon up.

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, AJ Hauser said:

@Catt and @casts_by_fly thank you - and I was just going to ask if you messed with trailers right before you posted that picture. I also have a Northland Jaw Breaker spoon that I want to try out. It's super shallow here so I am seriously considering a trailer made from floating plastic to help keep it up a bit, but not completely. I have a feeling the Moss Boss is going to get mucked up more than that Jaw Breaker would, but I could see a trailer being helpful for both as long as it's compact... your thoughts? 

 

Thanks! 

 

Fun Fact: My trolling motor had no chance against the grass and muck in this lake, and I had to paddle around with my emergency kayak paddle... very slowly and painfully. My back is toast today... I had an idea though, and I'm currently making homemade oars out of wheelbarrow handles and random hardware from Farm & Fleet because nobody around here sells rowboat oars and I need to go back to these piggies before the weekend hits. It is hillbilly city over here... and it's so dumb it's gonna work! Hahahahaha

 

Not sure which trolling motor you have, but if its a minn kota or similar you can get a weedless prop for it.  Then add a ninja grass blade for $35 and it will get through most stuff.

 

I have a skirt on all of mine, but no trailers 

 

[AJ Hauser]

Thanks @Catt and @casts_by_fly - I'm rockin' a Minn Kota Endura $139 special. Says it has a "power prop." 

 

Sounds impressive.

 

Got demolished by the grass and muck. There was much swearing. 

 

Would a weedless prop or ninja slicer help prevent future swearing you think?

[casts_by_fly]

yes.  Check your model vs the list, but I think it will be the MKP6.  The ninja blade is third party and there is only one.

[bowhunter63]

Great slop bait, Haven't thrown one in years.  There used be one a little smaller called the River Rat. Haven’t seen one of them in years also. They both will still catch em no doubt  They worked great in the Mississippi River backwaters .

[AJ Hauser]

Sweet - thanks guys! 

[Bazoo]

On 5/21/2024 at 11:09 AM, Catt said:

 

I haven't ever seen that, thank you for sharing. I'll give that a try next time I go out, and see what I get.