Curly tail grub

[Jim Sutter]

When using a curly tail grub, how can i keep a bass from swallowing it?

[CountryboyinDC]

I think the answer is to set the hook, but I might be misunderstanding your question.

[MN Fisher]

Set the hook faster - otherwise invest in a pair of these

 

[Cgolf]

I have fished a kalins 5” on a slider head for years and never had one swallowed that I can remember. I generally let it drop to the bottom, then either pop and drop it or a slow steady retrieve. I generally don’t let it sit too long on bottom though. 

 

How are you retrieving it?

[Log Catcher]

I have fished Zoom Fat Albert grubs on a Texas rig. I use a 1/0 Skip Gap hook with an 1/8 ounce sinker and never had a problem with fish swallowing it.

[Jim Sutter]

CountryboyinDC, MN Fisher, and cgolf

Thank you for your replies. cgolf, I retrieve them slowly on a steady retrieve.

[Cgolf]

5 minutes ago, Jim Sutter said:

CountryboyinDC, MN Fisher, and cgolf

Thank you for your replies. cgolf, I retrieve them slowly on a steady retrieve.

What size grub are you using? I could see if it were a smaller grub it would be easier to inhale.

I have seen some aggressive bites periods though, where no matter what I throw including crankbaits the bass will get the whole bait in their mouth, best term I can come up with is choking it. Unfortunately for me these bites seem to be few and far between, but that could be what is happening.

[OnthePotomac]

Debard the hook and they are real easy to back out.

[Jim Sutter]

Log Catcher, cgolf, and OnthePotomac,

Thank you for your replies. I have always fished them on a 1/4 oz. Strike King Shaky Head hook. I have always used 3" Zoom Fat Albert Grubs.

[Choporoz]

Sometimes the dinks are just going to get that hook stuck deep.  As suggested above, the preventative measure is to get that hook set sooner.  Too often dinks will pick it up and start moving long before you feel anything.  The better line watchers have less issues with the swallowed hooks, generally.

[Hammer 4]

2 hours ago, Choporoz said:

Sometimes the dinks are just going to get that hook stuck deep.  As suggested above, the preventative measure is to get that hook set sooner.  Too often dinks will pick it up and start moving long before you feel anything.  The better line watchers have less issues with the swallowed hooks, generally.

This ^^^^ One thing I might ad is to stay focused when fishing, i.e. watch your line, and or be in contact with it, meaning keeping a finger under the line. All to often I see folks fishing say a dropshot, ect, and they are looking all around, maybe chatting it up with fellow anglers, this is when you are most likely to Miss that bit, or have a bass get gut hooked. Also having the right rod/reel for the technique helps some too.

[CountryboyinDC]

@Jim Sutter, I didn't mean to be smart, I just didn't understand what you were asking.  As others have mentioned, there are just times when fish are going to swallow the bait, particularly if they're smaller, and grubs, worms and Senkos are the baits with which this happens the most for me.

[Jim Sutter]

Choporoz, Hammer4 and CountryboyinDC,

Thank you four your replies to my topic. I love this forum. A lot of great information here. I find it to be very helpful. Please take care and have a wonderful and safe day.

[Cam R]

I use 4” mister twister grubs with 1/4 oz eagle claw jigheads for smallmouth and pike they work like a charm! I never had an issue with fish swallowing the hook, i suggest getting long handle pliers for that!! Best of luck

[Jim Sutter]

Cam R,

Thank you for replying to my question. Long nose pliers I have. From reading all the replies to my question, I believe I need to set the hook faster. Take care and have a great day. 

[primetime]

I like to throw a 3-4" curly tail grub with a steady retrieve when I am fishing new ponds from the bank just to see if the pond or lake holds bass. From my experience, in places where there are alot of bass, many are stunted, they will choke it like you mentioned. Especially when it is falling.....Ponds with too many bass usually result in fish that are overly aggressive and will choke almost anything. 

 

Usually most times the hook will end up in the jaw and easy to remove, not alot you can do on a steady retrieve from time of strike to hook set. If they simply inhale it, it is what it is.

 

I usually fish them on a darter head or ball head and can usually unhook them much easier than if its a bass that chokes a worm on a bigger hook with pliers. The hooks are smaller and bend so removal is typically easy.

 

I rarely give them much time when I feel them, kind of just sweep the rod once I feel the vibration change and feel some weight. It happens fast, but when they get it on the fall, sometimes it is tough to set the hook quickly and get the slack out if they start swimming with it.

 

 

[Dorado]

12 hours ago, primetime said:

I like to throw a 3-4" curly tail grub with a steady retrieve when I am fishing new ponds from the bank just to see if the pond or lake holds bass. From my experience, in places where there are alot of bass, many are stunted, they will choke it like you mentioned. Especially when it is falling.....Ponds with too many bass usually result in fish that are overly aggressive and will choke almost anything. 

 

Usually most times the hook will end up in the jaw and easy to remove, not alot you can do on a steady retrieve from time of strike to hook set. If they simply inhale it, it is what it is.

 

I usually fish them on a darter head or ball head and can usually unhook them much easier than if its a bass that chokes a worm on a bigger hook with pliers. The hooks are smaller and bend so removal is typically easy.

 

I rarely give them much time when I feel them, kind of just sweep the rod once I feel the vibration change and feel some weight. It happens fast, but when they get it on the fall, sometimes it is tough to set the hook quickly and get the slack out if they start swimming with it.

 

 

As an avid grub angler, you absolutely nailed it in this reply

[Jim Sutter]

primetime and Dorado, 

Thank you for your replies. I will just have to be more careful when using Curly Tail Grubs. 

[WRB]

You are swimming the 1/4 oz jig  with 3" single tail grub so your line doesn't have muck slack so strikes should be easy to detect. The lure is very small for aggressive adult size bass that can instantly engulf it into the back of their mounth. When you see or feel any strike indication reel quickly then sweep the rod back. If you do the typical drop the rod tip, reel up the slack line the bass has time to swallow the small jig. 

If you go to a GYCB 4" single tail grub it gives you a little more time.

Tom

[papajoe222]

Best advice I can give is to keep as much slack in your line as possible and be a line watcher. Even on semi-slack line, bites can be difficult to detect. If that line moves sideways, or you see it jump where it enters the water, well, you know what to do. 

[Jim Sutter]

WRB and papajoe222,

Thank you for your information. WRB, I like your idea about going to a 4" grub.