fishindad Posted October 1, 2020 Posted October 1, 2020 So far, tube is MVP for smallies since it accounted for year’s biggest (21”er). For greenies, a swim jig with a Keitech or Rage swimmer as trailer. Quote
Super User Spankey Posted October 1, 2020 Super User Posted October 1, 2020 On 9/30/2020 at 9:20 AM, Hook2Jaw said: I got back to my roots this year and started whopping them on a ⅛-⅜ ounce lead bullet, 3/0, and YUM Ribbontail. I've also cleaned up with a ½ ounce jig, both casting and pitching. Also slapped them with a ⅜ Booyah Blade. The jig has led for my best day this year as far as a limit goes, and the ribbontail has been best for numbers. MVL? I'll take a half ounce jig tipped with a YUM Craw Chunk. Sometimes you have to step back and do that. Even if a few times a season. I know what it’s like to fish your productive lures and they peter out some and productivity drops off The face of the earth and you hang in there with them. I turn back the pages and throw PowerGrubs and Mr. Twister Grubs. Usually will drum up some fish. Or just throw a Rat-L-Trap and break the funk you are in. 1 Quote
Black Hawk Basser Posted October 1, 2020 Posted October 1, 2020 My DIY Do-It mold poisontail jig would be the MVL, either ripping through grass with an action trailer, or flipping around docks with a bulky craw trailer. Bluegill-type patterns were best. Runner-up would be a weightless or lightly weighted Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Worm in white buzzed on top over grass. Quote
fishindad Posted October 1, 2020 Posted October 1, 2020 On 9/30/2020 at 2:29 AM, A-Jay said: My MVP of baits so far for 2020 has been a vibrating Jig. Specifically, the Tungsten Evergreen Jackhammer with hand poured Goby swimbait Trailer by a Paul Krews Custom baits. Before I ever made my first cast with this one I was calling it The Thunder Goby. Just enjoyed say it. And on the first trip out and several trips after, The Thunder Goby was making it happen by putting fat brown bass in the net. A-Jay I’m curious A-Jay if you think I’m success was more due to the trailer or the Jackhammer? Did you try fishing the Jackhammer with a different trailer as well as the Thunder goby on a jighead? My guess would be you’d have similar (or almost) results with say a Fat Impact in Ayu since the smallies are so aggressive hitting the chatter they probably don’t focus so much on the trailer. Don’t get me wrong I’m a firm believer in fishing what gives you confidence just curious if you tried fishing the goby by itself.. Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted October 1, 2020 Super User Posted October 1, 2020 1 hour ago, fishindad said: I’m curious A-Jay if you think I’m success was more due to the trailer or the Jackhammer? Did you try fishing the Jackhammer with a different trailer as well as the Thunder goby on a jighead? My guess would be you’d have similar (or almost) results with say a Fat Impact in Ayu since the smallies are so aggressive hitting the chatter they probably don’t focus so much on the trailer. Don’t get me wrong I’m a firm believer in fishing what gives you confidence just curious if you tried fishing the goby by itself.. My opinion regarding your question revolves around being in the right place, at the right time and doing the right thing. I have had more success with the Jackhammer than any of the other 3 or 4 vibrating jigs I've fished, but I fish it more. Using the Yamamoto Zako as a trailer has caught more bass for me than the goby, but I've been fishing it for an extra season. Trying to guess 'what else might have worked', is IMO an exercise in futility. Perhaps watch a few of the catches here and decide for yourself. (in the this clip I ID the bait as a SK Thunder Cricket, but I later realized it was actually a TD Jackhammer. ) A-Jay 2 Quote
MGF Posted October 1, 2020 Posted October 1, 2020 I only have a handful of bladed jigs and I really haven't worked with them that much. I have one that was given to me and I think it's by strike king. All the others I have are the original zman chatterdbait. The main sticking point for me seems that the blades don't want to start vibrating. I think the zman original is better than the strike king but I notice on all of them. Quote
Super User J._Bricker Posted October 1, 2020 Super User Posted October 1, 2020 After a quick review, 6” GYCB senko and an original Phenix vibrating jig caught my best fish so far this year... Quote
fishindad Posted October 1, 2020 Posted October 1, 2020 3 hours ago, A-Jay said: My opinion regarding your question revolves around being in the right place, at the right time and doing the right thing. I have had more success with the Jackhammer than any of the other 3 or 4 vibrating jigs I've fished, but I fish it more. Using the Yamamoto Zako as a trailer has caught more bass for me than the goby, but I've been fishing it for an extra season. Trying to guess 'what else might have worked', is IMO an exercise in futility. Perhaps watch a few of the catches here and decide for yourself. (in the this clip I ID the bait as a SK Thunder Cricket, but I later realized it was actually a TD Jackhammer. ) A-Jay Thanks, A-Jay and agree 100% anglers often get caught up in fine details vs "right time-right place" (easier said than done). After Jay Yelas whacked 'em on St Clair on a chatterbait recently, no question it's a proven big smallie bait and I am pretty sure he used a Zako trailer, since he's sponsored by GYCB (lucky guy). And often the hardest part is locating the brown monsters, at least on big water. PS: those are some awesome footballs ya' got there! I can understand why the Jackhammer is always tied on! 1 Quote
ajschn06 Posted October 1, 2020 Posted October 1, 2020 1 hour ago, MGF said: I only have a handful of bladed jigs and I really haven't worked with them that much. I have one that was given to me and I think it's by strike king. All the others I have are the original zman chatterdbait. The main sticking point for me seems that the blades don't want to start vibrating. I think the zman original is better than the strike king but I notice on all of them. Then you need the Jackhammer... Quote
MGF Posted October 1, 2020 Posted October 1, 2020 3 minutes ago, ajschn06 said: Then you need the Jackhammer... I might need to win the lottery first. LOL 1 Quote
riverbasser Posted October 1, 2020 Posted October 1, 2020 Thus far I would say the rage menace. Whether it was on the back of a jig or a swing head. It doesn't win by much though. Fish were funny this year and I had to really fish hard with a variety of baits to do well. It was rare to pin them down on something for whatever reason. Quote
ajschn06 Posted October 1, 2020 Posted October 1, 2020 20 minutes ago, MGF said: I might need to win the lottery first. LOL They are $16... I look at it like this. We've all got tons of baits- I've got crankbaits I haven't even looked at in years- Probably use the same 5 or 6 over and over again and I probably have 50. I'd much rather buy 2 or 3 colors of the jackhammer, use them over and over again and be productive, as opposed to ending up with 10 or 12 other models of chatterbaits that sit at the bottom of the box because they don't work as well.... 2 Quote
fishindad Posted October 1, 2020 Posted October 1, 2020 3 hours ago, Chonch12 said: I was not a believer that the Jack Hammer was that different compared to other vibrating jigs, but I was able to get a lot for a rather cheap price so I gave it a go. Honestly it is night and day, I cant figure out why but they are just different, from starting immediately to how they swim. Something about them. Always have one tied on now. I actually use it with 50lb braid though because they are too expensive to lose and I fish banks haha. Even can bend those stout hooks some, but pliers bend it right back without problem or damage. The only exception is the Fogy by Siebert. He uses a football head that creates a really unique sporadic movement that thumps much harder than any other vibrating jig. Paired with a Zako they were my go to all summer for largemouth. I also do not fish in an area for smallies primarily. I haven’t fished the jackhammers but throw and have success with the Picasso version. And I know what you mean about not wanting to lose lures - we have big toothy critters (muskies) that have stolen more than a few $$ jerkbaits! Quote
Sphynx Posted October 1, 2020 Posted October 1, 2020 The Strike King KVD 1.5 came on outta nowhere this year, and it has changed the way I fish a crankbait, this thing has been the smallmouth hammer and has held up very well, I had to replace some treble hooks, but the included ones held up for a fairly large number of hard fighting river fish before they got dull and or bent out, I used to be a bit dubious about this crankbait, but having thumped on it pretty heavily this fall I have to say it has made a believer out of me. Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted October 2, 2020 Super User Posted October 2, 2020 Same as they have been for the last 20 years: Jig Senko Beaver Frog Quote
MGF Posted October 2, 2020 Posted October 2, 2020 12 hours ago, ajschn06 said: They are $16... I look at it like this. We've all got tons of baits- I've got crankbaits I haven't even looked at in years- Probably use the same 5 or 6 over and over again and I probably have 50. I'd much rather buy 2 or 3 colors of the jackhammer, use them over and over again and be productive, as opposed to ending up with 10 or 12 other models of chatterbaits that sit at the bottom of the box because they don't work as well.... I can't argue your logic and, in the larger picture, the cost of buying a few isn't that much. Over the years I've just naturally trended away from the more expensive baits. 1 Quote
ajschn06 Posted October 2, 2020 Posted October 2, 2020 2 hours ago, MGF said: I can't argue your logic and, in the larger picture, the cost of buying a few isn't that much. Over the years I've just naturally trended away from the more expensive baits. Ha- I wish I had your willpower. I tend to go the opposite way... 1 Quote
Jaderose Posted October 2, 2020 Posted October 2, 2020 Ain't done but so far my MVP has been the old Havoc Pit Boss in Watermelon/Orange Fleck. However, I could also argue that my real star is not the bait but what it's mounted on. I love, love, LOVE the Owner Ultrahead Finesse Ball Head Jigs. I haven't really found much I CAN'T do with these and they are indispensable in my boat 1 Quote
Super User MassYak85 Posted October 3, 2020 Super User Posted October 3, 2020 Consistency wise I gotta give it to.... 10 powerboat worm Jackal DoooN spinnerbait Psycho Gill swimbait Quote
GetFishorDieTryin Posted October 3, 2020 Posted October 3, 2020 On 10/1/2020 at 7:10 PM, fishindad said: I haven’t fished the jackhammers but throw and have success with the Picasso version. And I know what you mean about not wanting to lose lures - we have big toothy critters (muskies) that have stolen more than a few $$ jerkbaits! I really like the Zman TW custom CBs, but with estimated shipping time being over 4 weeks I had to look elsewhere to replace lost baits. Im in NJ and I found out Picasso is based out of PA and the processing time was no more then 2 days which made estimated shipping time a total of 4 days which was great. I ordered a bunch of the 1/4 shock blades. I wasn't crazy about the blade not being able to articulate any less then 45* degrees back towards the hook. The Picassos don't vibrate as hard as the project z's and customs, but I still did well on them. The Pro Shocks seem a little better but they don't come in 1/4 oz. Quote
GetFishorDieTryin Posted October 4, 2020 Posted October 4, 2020 On 10/2/2020 at 11:08 AM, Jaderose said: I love, love, LOVE the Owner Ultrahead Finesse Ball Head Jigs. I haven't really found much I CAN'T do with these and they are indispensable in my boat I like the Owner finesse heads because you can just about any size hook with the weight you need. Not a big fan of this company as a whole, but the VMC Rugby Heads have performed really well for me also. Quote
GetFishorDieTryin Posted October 4, 2020 Posted October 4, 2020 On 10/2/2020 at 5:11 AM, MGF said: They are $16... I look at it like this. We've all got tons of baits- I've got crankbaits I haven't even looked at in years- Probably use the same 5 or 6 over and over again and I probably have 50. I'd much rather buy 2 or 3 colors of the jackhammer, use them over and over again and be productive, as opposed to ending up with 10 or 12 other models of chatterbaits that sit at the bottom of the box because they don't work as well.... I understand the logic and it makes sense. I lose some crankbaits here and there, but I lose far more chatterbaits. Chatterbaits seem to excel here from late Feb-June. I spend $120-$180 on mostly replacements and a few different colors or new brands to try out. If I were to throw jackhammers the majority of the time it would nearly double the cost. There is one saving grace, I prefer to throw 1/4oz chatterbaits until around mid April and as far I know they don't make 1/4oz jackhammers. Quote
Cptndeez64 Posted October 5, 2020 Posted October 5, 2020 The stupid ole Berkeley Flicker Shad for total fish caught. Largemouth only is probably a Senko, although I only use them as a “crack glass in case of a skunking” type of deal. Quote
GReb Posted October 5, 2020 Posted October 5, 2020 LC 1.5 silent in Golden Shiner has been the MVP of the fall so far Quote
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