Nikko Hellgrammite

[Ravox]

I see that this bait is very effective to catch several species of fish even peacock bass, never got a package but I see that is not cheap for 4 soft plastics inside the package, they say they use a special durable plastic, anybody has some experience with this one? what is the recommended size and jig head to use?

[roadwarrior]

Not "special", but effective.

[dj1975232]

I received my first pack yesterday.  I'm looking to try it on Friday for river smallies.  They look to be near Elaztech tough, but we'll see. 

 

ETA:  I plan on throwing it on a 1/8 oz ball head jig. 

[waymont]

Bass Pro has a great Hellgrammite bait that is much cheaper. I've caught tons of bass with them on a light wacky jig.

[CountryboyinDC]

I was a big fan of Case helgrammites, I guess you could say I still am.  The BPS ones are okay, I would say the Case ones are better.

I haven't fished a Case Helgrammite since buying my first pack of Nikko ZaZas.  I have zero largemouth bass to show from fishing them, but I would guess a hundred river smallies on them.  Nothing over 15", but for what seems to be left on the Shenandoah and upper Potomac these days, a nice fish.  The biggest draw for me is that I put on a bait and fish several times.  I've yet to wear one out, I get the baits broken off somewhere I wished I hadn't thrown it.  Think a more durable TRD with a very different consistency.  But like the Elaztech baits, you can't get them near any other soft plastics.

 

The way I like to rig them is on a 1/16 oz Owner Blockhead jighead with the wire keeper cut off.  Believe me, these things will stay on without the keeper, and you'll say bad words if you try to thread one on without removing the keeper.  Their performance Texas rigged leaves a lot to be desired.  They simply will not allow the hook point to move through the bait.  I know a couple of guys that leave then Texposed without skin hooking on a small offset worm hook with good success.

[NYWayfarer]

13 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Not "special", but effective.

I agree.

 

It’s similar to Z-Man products in durability.
 

Very effective Smallmouth bait. I usually fish one on a small 1/8oz or lighter ball head jig.

[Ravox]

19 hours ago, CountryboyinDC said:

I was a big fan of Case helgrammites, I guess you could say I still am.  The BPS ones are okay, I would say the Case ones are better.

I haven't fished a Case Helgrammite since buying my first pack of Nikko ZaZas.  I have zero largemouth bass to show from fishing them, but I would guess a hundred river smallies on them.  Nothing over 15", but for what seems to be left on the Shenandoah and upper Potomac these days, a nice fish.  The biggest draw for me is that I put on a bait and fish several times.  I've yet to wear one out, I get the baits broken off somewhere I wished I hadn't thrown it.  Think a more durable TRD with a very different consistency.  But like the Elaztech baits, you can't get them near any other soft plastics.

 

The way I like to rig them is on a 1/16 oz Owner Blockhead jighead with the wire keeper cut off.  Believe me, these things will stay on without the keeper, and you'll say bad words if you try to thread one on without removing the keeper.  Their performance Texas rigged leaves a lot to be desired.  They simply will not allow the hook point to move through the bait.  I know a couple of guys that leave then Texposed without skin hooking on a small offset worm hook with good success.

I will try the BPS ones, never knew they had hellgramitte too, Nikko is expensive for the amount that comes

[CountryboyinDC]

3 hours ago, Ravox said:

I will try the BPS ones, never knew they had hellgramitte too, Nikko is expensive for the amount that comes

For the cost per fish, I think you'll find the Nikkos are the winner.  They just last so much longer.  For the places I throw them, these seem to be as effective as the Case ones.  The BPS ones are a good way to dip a toe, I guess.  

[soflabasser]

A peacock bass will hit almost any lure when they are in feeding mode. In fact I have caught many peacock bass on a bare hook when they are in a feeding frenzy so they are easy fish to catch. Peacock bass 6 pounds and up are not as easy to catch and a peacock bass that size will destroy the little jigs those overpriced hellgramittes are fished on. A good jerkbait is a much better lure if your goal is to catch peacock bass. You will also save more money in the long run with a jerk bait since they are much more durable than soft plastics.

On 3/10/2021 at 8:07 PM, waymont said:

Bass Pro has a great Hellgrammite bait that is much cheaper. I've caught tons of bass with them on a light wacky jig.

The Bass Pro Shops Hellgrammite is a very good lure for river smallmouth bass.