Keitech substitute…

[IgotWood]

There is a really simple hack which hugely extends the life of swim baits rigged on jig heads. Measure where the hook will penetrate and be exposed and cut a small hole from the back of the bait through the belly. A 1/2"-3/4" slice through the bait will usually do the trick for 3.8 and bigger. This improves hook up ratio and helps prevent the bait from tears where the hook is exposed. The bait is able to move a bit more where the bend of the hook is. It does make the tail sag a bit in your hand, but you can see it when the bait is in the water, and it also adds bit more action to the bait.

 

Winter fishing for stripers in CT, I'd easily go through 3-4 packs of baits on a decent night. After learning this trick, I can usually get through a night on one pack. 

[Jig Man]

3 minutes ago, IgotWood said:

There is a really simple hack which hugely extends the life of swim baits rigged on jig heads. Measure where the hook will penetrate and be exposed and cut a small hole from the back of the bait through the belly. A 1/2"-3/4" slice through the bait will usually do the trick for 3.8 and bigger. This improves hook up ratio and helps prevent the bait from tears where the hook is exposed. The bait is able to move a bit more where the bend of the hook is. It does make the tail sag a bit in your hand, but you can see it when the bait is in the water, and it also adds bit more action to the bait.

 

Winter fishing for stripers in CT, I'd easily go through 3-4 packs of baits on a decent night. After learning this trick, I can usually get through a night on one pack. 

You wouldn’t happen to have pics of this process would you?

[IgotWood]

Just now, Jig Man said:

You wouldn’t happen to have pics of this process would you?

I thought I made a post about this a few years ago, but I couldn't find it. I am on a 24hr shift at work today. I'll post a few pics when I get home tomorrow. 

[Jig Man]

That would be great.  I’m having a little comprehension problem.

[IgotWood]

@Jig Man if you have instagram, I made a little post about it here. I used to run this page, but I recently started a new job and I don't really have the time for it for a couple years so I relinquished the account to my business partner. I'll still post a few pics tomorrow when I get home.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiAWFkeOU5J/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[IgotWood]

4 hours ago, Jig Man said:

You wouldn’t happen to have pics of this process would you?

 

The other pics I have in my phone are too large to post. Essentially you are taking th hook bend out of the equation. It is only the jighead holding the bait in place. It allows for better hook exposure during the strike and the bait moves out of the way of the hook resulting in fewer tears. 

[Jig Man]

So is the cut behind the hook bend, in front of it or is the bend in the middle?

[IgotWood]

3 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

So is the cut behind the hook bend, in front of it or is the bend in the middle?

In the middle of where the hook bend would be. I tried to post another pic but I'm computer illiterate and can't figure out how to make the file smaller. If you check out the instagram post I gave the link to, there is a short 30 second video. 

[Jig Man]

Ok thanks.  We went through a bunch bass fishing today.  I’ll get some ready for tomorrow.

[roadwarrior]

Rage Swimmer for me.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Rage_Swimmer_Swimbait/descpage-SKRSW.html

[Bass912]

On 6/22/2023 at 6:29 PM, Jig Man said:

I have made my own swim baits for years but a few good butt waxings from a friend using Keitechs has swung me over.  They are definitely fish catchers.  My issue with them is the way they tear up with just about every fish and the time it takes to retie or rerig.  What are you guys using that is a good producer and holds up better.

Add a drop or two of super glue to the head of the swimbait where it meets the jighead. It will make them last much longer

[Jig Man]

1 hour ago, Bass912 said:

Add a drop or two of super glue to the head of the swimbait where it meets the jighead. It will make them last much longer

I do that.  It doesn’t seem to help much.

On 6/25/2023 at 5:57 PM, IgotWood said:

In the middle of where the hook bend would be. I tried to post another pic but I'm computer illiterate and can't figure out how to make the file smaller. If you check out the instagram post I gave the link to, there is a short 30 second video. 

I tried one at the end of the day as I already had 6 setups rigged.  I only caught 2 on it but it is still intact.  I’ll know more after the holiday weekend when I get to go back.

[IgotWood]

@Jig Man Curious to know how this worked for you? 

[Munkin]

A Keitech rep told me they use soft plastic to pour them. I mixed 50/50 medium and super soft which helped the tail move at slower speeds. 

 

Allen 

[Brett's_daddy]

@Jig Man Biospawn Exo Swimmer. Just bought a bunch of these from Karl’s because they were on sale for $2.27 per pack, couldn’t resist at that price and tested one out for the first time last night and was very impressed with how well it swam and more importantly how little effort it took to get the tail to kick even at super slow speeds. They come in really great colors too, I got mostly Pro Blue Red Pearl, Smoke Goby and Smoke Shad. Didn’t catch anything so can’t vouch for durability but according to the reviews they are much more durable than a Keitech.

[Mojo Bass]

Xzone mini swammers and regular swammers really have worked well for me I mostly use the mini swammers, but like most here I also have some rage swimmers just to change it up from time to time