Talk to me about the Big TRD....

[ajschn06]

So I picked up a pack a while ago, never really got around to using them.  Tried them once on the boat, but didn't like the feel so they didn't last long.  Fiddling over the weekend, took one out to the pool and started throwing it around.  Once I figured out how to get it to glide along the bottom, I got  excited, it looks like a pretty irresistable presentation.  The finesse size is too small for me, but these feel like a good middle ground.  How many out there are using the Big TRD, and do you still see the "numbers" that the ned is traditionally known for?  What colors and jigheads do you like with this bait?  What weight?

[A-Jay]

I rarely fish the small TRD any more.

The Big TRD just seems to get a little bigger fish for me.

And when conditions dictate, I've been know to snip a bit off the Big one.

Makes a nice 'in between' size offering.

My second biggest Brown bass ever - slurped the big TRD on a flat calm spring morning.

Easily one of my favorite fish catches ever . . . 

https://youtu.be/3OXnPQs0bqQ?t=61

FishHard

A-Jay

 

[ajschn06]

1 minute ago, A-Jay said:

I rarely fish the small TRD any more.

The Big TRD just seems to get a little bigger fish for me.

And when conditions dictate, I've been know to snip a bit off the Big one.

Makes a nice 'in between' size offering.

My second biggest Brown bass ever - slurped the big TRD on a flat calm spring morning.

Easily one of my favorite fish catches ever . . . 

https://youtu.be/3OXnPQs0bqQ?t=61

FishHard

A-Jay

 

What jighead's do you like for that bait and what sizes?  I'm leaning towards the Outkast perfect ned 3/32 in a 2/0...

[PourMyOwn]

2 minutes ago, ajschn06 said:

What jighead's do you like for that bait and what sizes?  I'm leaning towards the Outkast perfect ned 3/32 in a 2/0...

Whichever jig head you pick, I highly recommend supergluing the TRD to it at home. The bait will last as long as the jig, and once it slides down the hook shank a bit, it is tough to get it back the way you want it.

[A-Jay]

Just now, ajschn06 said:

What jighead's do you like for that bait and what sizes?  I'm leaning towards the Outkast perfect ned 3/32 in a 2/0...

That's the one for me too as well as the Owner Block Head 

I will use a slightly heavier head if & when I need a little more distance on the cast

and/or when I'm fishing the bait a bit deeper.

Keep an eye on your hook size when using very light line though.

Both these jig heads have a somewhat stouter wire hook gauge.

It's why I like them but if & when a bigger bass clamps down on the bait,

hooksets with 6 lb line or less can get a little tricky.

I usually use an 8lb Tatsu leader in front of 8 or 10lb braid. 

A-Jay

 

[ajschn06]

17 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

That's the one for me too as well as the Owner Block Head 

I will use a slightly heavier head if & when I need a little more distance on the cast

and/or when I'm fishing the bait a bit deeper.

Keep an eye on your hook size when using very light line though.

Both these jig heads have a somewhat stouter wire hook gauge.

It's why I like them but if & when a bigger bass clamps down on the bait,

hooksets with 6 lb line or less can get a little tricky.

I usually use an 8lb Tatsu leader in front of 8 or 10lb braid. 

A-Jay

 

 

I had planned to use 20 lb braid- 12 lb fluoro leader.  I'm using an HMX medium spinning rod.  Heavier than what most would equate to a 'ned' setup, but I think it should work for that bait and hook....

[padon]

i rarely use the little one anymore either. i use the big one with an outkast head . in grass i use the nonweedless because i want it to  lightly hang in the grass then i pop it off. in rocks or wood i use the weedless head. sometimes i cut of a little of the top of the big one. you still catch small fish but you also seem to get more bites from bigger fish.

[A-Jay]

59 minutes ago, ajschn06 said:

What jighead's do you like for that bait and what sizes?  I'm leaning towards the Outkast perfect ned 3/32 in a 2/0...

 

32 minutes ago, ajschn06 said:

 

I had planned to use 20 lb braid- 12 lb fluoro leader.  I'm using an HMX medium spinning rod.  Heavier than what most would equate to a 'ned' setup, but I think it should work for that bait and hook....

My concern with this tackle choice revolves around casting distance and how that light bait will "fish".

For reference, I use what is listed above to successfully deliver 3/4 oz walking baits dressed with three 1x #1 & #2 sized treble hooks to stout brown bass.

Let me know how it goes.

Perhaps I should bump up my ned rigs.

A-Jay

 

[HaydenS]

I like them on a wobble head.  Comes through rocks really easy, especially since they don't have an exposed hook.

[Shimano_1]

I've also basically quit throwing the regular TRD. The big one seems to get as many bites and let's me up my hook size etc. The regular one is just to small I never really felt all warm and cozy about throwing it. The big TRD has became a staple for me. Good luck

[TnRiver46]

I have not and never will purchase a regular TRD, $5 for 8 half worms is outrageous 

 

I’ll never get the big ones either but it sure seems like A better idea (economically) to get a longer one or a zinker . Even if you like the small bait cut a big one and a half and you’ve got two 

[HaydenS]

4 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I have not and never will purchase a regular TRD, $5 for 8 half worms is outrageous 

Your grandkids will still be able to use them.  

[TnRiver46]

22 minutes ago, HaydenS said:

Your grandkids will still be able to use them.  

Hahahaha no kids for me or Elaztech. 

[Fishes in trees]

If I'm throwing a Ned rig, I use the regular size TRD or a half of a Zinker Z - just like Ned tells us to.

I've thrown the big TRD a few times on a Neko rig with decent results.  I've never lost a weight out of a big TRD as long as I heat it up first.

[HaydenS]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

Hahahaha no kids for me or Elaztech. 

Smallies love elaztech....

[TnRiver46]

12 minutes ago, HaydenS said:

Smallies love elaztech....

They do, but I don’t. Smallies also love Zara spooks and plastisol 

[ajschn06]

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

 

My concern with this tackle choice revolves around casting distance and how that light bait will "fish".

For reference, I use what is listed above to successfully deliver 3/4 oz walking baits dressed with three 1x #1 & #2 sized treble hooks to stout brown bass.

Let me know how it goes.

Perhaps I should bump up my ned rigs.

A-Jay

 

Can't imagine casting distance being an issue.  I had it rigged on a 1/16th oz head in my back yard and can throw it pretty effortlessly.  How it will fish is another story- lighter than I'll use in real life when I pick up the right heads, but I did okay with it in a pool.  It's completely different being able to see your lure though than it is going by feel.  I think it's a big enough bait that I could upsize to 1/10th or 1/8th oz if need be and still get the desired action.  Generally fishing in a bit of current, so may need to do that anyways.  I have some 1/6 oz heads that I was fiddling with as well, seemed to work okay once I figured out how to get it to glide rather than just drop straight down.  Kind of kicking myself for just testing things in the pool now, can really learn a lot about presentations!

[DaubsNU1]

I've been hammering largemouth on the standard TRD at my home lake. Catching everything from 9" up to a very nice 18" | 3lb-6oz fatty.

 

Tried Big TRD yesterday...nothing.  Not even a nibble. 

 

Back to the standard...and continued hammering them. 

[Columbia Craw]

I show the fish the Ned rig menu and let them order.

[HaydenS]

2 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

They do, but I don’t. Smallies also love Zara spooks and plastisol 

[ajschn06]

36 minutes ago, Columbia Craw said:

I show the fish the Ned rig menu and let them order.

What's your best seller?

[Columbia Craw]

My Dad used to say, “If it doesn’t fit... get a bigger hammer.”  Big TRD.

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, ajschn06 said:

Can't imagine casting distance being an issue.  I had it rigged on a 1/16th oz head in my back yard and can throw it pretty effortlessly.  How it will fish is another story- lighter than I'll use in real life when I pick up the right heads, but I did okay with it in a pool.  It's completely different being able to see your lure though than it is going by feel.  I think it's a big enough bait that I could upsize to 1/10th or 1/8th oz if need be and still get the desired action.  Generally fishing in a bit of current, so may need to do that anyways.  I have some 1/6 oz heads that I was fiddling with as well, seemed to work okay once I figured out how to get it to glide rather than just drop straight down.  Kind of kicking myself for just testing things in the pool now, can really learn a lot about presentations!

It sure looks like it would cast a mile

[Columbia Craw]

Forgot,: my jig head of choice is the Siebert Morel head.

[gim]

I use both the regular size TRD and the big one in various colors. I will admit that neither one gets used very often, as the ned is more of a last resort-type tactic for me when the bite is tough.

 

I have not used the giant TRD yet. I saw some in the store and they caught my eye though.