UL Poop Bait Fishing

[RRocket]

Or How I Learned to Embrace The Poop. But terrible imagery , right? LOL ?

 

First, I'm a dedicated ultralight bass fisherman with bias towards minimalism.  I'm dedicated to a single rod and reel. Shimano Expride 264UL-2 paired with a Shimano Vanford 2000HG. I use mono and mostly use Sunline Supernatural in 4 or 6lb. Though I have been fooling around with Kastking's Tripolymer Advanced Monofilament most recently. I use finesse and light power finesse techniques. Using the above, it's just an absolute blast. And at the same time can get you into a Zen zone while concentrating on technique. It's my happy place.

 

 Since I'm keen on UL, I tend to follow the JDM scene as best I can since UL, BFS, Finesse is catered to well in bait offerings there. So I had heard of poop baits but resisted buying. Too expensive, too fragile, too stupid, etc.  So I slept on them. And really wish I hadn't! I really wish I could have a "do over" with these as they have been some of the most fun and ridiculously productive baits I have used. I don't know why but these baits get bit. Hard. These baits are easily my "first cast, first fish" clubhouse leader. Multiple times in the season when no anglers were catching fish (I know because I talk to them all as I walk down the pier, dock, shoreline, etc) I had fish within minutes. Oftetimes first cast! So these work. Flat out.  So based on all of that, I wanted to investigate further. So I've tried a few different poop baits and that's what I wanted to share.

 

First up, is the CoverScat 2.5" by Deps. This is the highest quality in design and looks IMO. It is the heaviest and most substantial of the small bait sizes I used in this class. The flakes seem nicer and it has nice attention to detail. The little nub to bury the hook tip is a nice touch, even though it's fragile. It gets blown out pretty quickly. I rig this with a 2/0 either a Ryugi Infini EWG or a VMC Fastgrip EWG Worm Hook. I think I prefer the VMC here as the hook tip angles into the bait a bit more (like a Gamagatsu G Lock). Zero problems setting hook. Seems to set itself such are the bites. I fish this as I would a wacky rig. Let it drop to bottom (where it frequently gets inhaled before it reaches bottom). Wait a second or two. And then 2 quick pops and let it sink back down. Those pops produce very, very erratic movement. A bit like a jerk bait. But the result is so easy, so simple, so fun!  It also skips incredibly well for dock or cover banging. Such is my success with this bait, I no long fish a wacky worm. I MUCH prefer this for the time being.

 

Next up is the Yamamoto Yamatanuki 2.5". With the floppy tail, this looks a bit more like a fish profile in the water whereas the Coverscat looks more like a fat bug or clawless crayfish or something. And because of that tail action I tend to fish this one more like a Ned rig imparting action into the tail via rod twitches and shaking. This done while slowly "crawling" the bait through cover produces some vicious bites. As with the Coverscat you can fish it like a wacky and it works well at that too. But again, more baitfish style movement IMO. Because of the tail, you'll need a smaller hook. I use a 1/0 EWG. This bait has DEEP hook slots. I prefer using ringed hooks as much as possible, so that's what I use with these.

 

 And finally we have the OSP Spinnuts 50mm (about 2"). This is the smallest and lightest of trio. Used the same ringed 1/0 hook. This one is note worthy because you can walk the dog subsurface. Now I could do that with the Coverscat, but nowhere as readily as this. It seems to almost spin around it's axis. And for this 2 tone color it would almost make like a flashing with how fast the spin was. I immediately wished they'd make a heavily sparkled one as it would positively light it up!  And maybe some tiny rattles?  The dogwalking is compact and aggressive. I used this chartreuse belly version in dirty water. With the "flashing" and water displacement of the compact spins, it did well getting located by bass. It's an angry little nugget! I would go thusly: twitch, twitch, twitch twitch...pause. 

 

 There was just something so fun with these..maybe the simplicity? No weights. Nothing extra. Just fish!  And did these catch fish? Yep. Lots. And lots. Oftentimes when nothing else worked. So yea, I like these. I also liked that these 3 baits could be used in lieu of a wacky, Ned or jerkbaits. Sorta.

 

 But if you're on the fence with these...give them a try! These aren't just great fish producers, these are fun! 

[galyonj]

Teaches kids the meaning of Christmas and catches fish.

 

What can't Mr. Hankey do?

[Darth-Baiter]

do over?  noooo.. "DOO over".  hahah.

 

thanks to this forum and @RRocket i grabbed a couple of packs last week.  i fished the Delta yesterday, and my buddy was flipping a very fashionable jig.  when we first pulled up to our first Delta Stop, it was magical.  rip-rap peeking out behind various plant life, like a fig tree, regular shrub, bamboo.  lots of skipable overhanging stuff,  floating mats, etc.   this place may as well be the moon, with respect to a kayak.  i cant get there with my plastic boat.    well, my friend laughed at my CoverScat.  unlike RR, i have the 3.5" version and it is a very aerodynamic 0.50oz.  it flies!!  well, i flew it up against some riprap, next to tule.  i watched i sink, and whup whup!  i felt the bite.  FIRST CAST!!  i wasnt UL fishing.  i am baitcasting on a Megabass FMJ rod.  a heavy rod.  14lb flouro.  i should go 16ish..

 

i got that fish in.  and it was a beautifully colored 2lb delta bass.  my friend said, "give me some poop dude"  i had one bag with me, and we nursed those things all day.  for a bass fest.  he cut that jig off so fast. 

 

since this is such a limp, slack line approach, the rod matters.  you need something sensitive to feel that something isnt normal at the bait.  then some faster reel to pickup the line, and the backbone to drive a relatively heavy 5/0 EWG hook home.  

 

i packed my lunch today, and i am going to eat it during a meeting so i can go to the store to buy more.

 

my buddy is going to order a bunch and put them into old Yamamoto bags to cloak them from his usual fishing partner.  he said his partner has been kicking his butt the last three trips on a Senko.  this will be his secret weapon. 

 

note*  the baits are fragile.  they almost get spongy after a few soakings.  like the salt is dissolving and leaving microvoids.  do not get attached to them, they dont last.  

proof of life

 

 

[TOXIC]

Having been to the Yamamoto factory in Page, AZ, where they have a “Japan Only” section and browsing through all of the baits they pour for the Japanese market only (used to average shipping 5 boxcars a month), I saw a lot of baits that I thought were totally ridiculous.  One of them being the Yamatanuki.  The new ownership decided to release it domestically and that’s a good thing.  You’d be amazed how many others are made. ?

[RRocket]

15 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

.  do not get attached to them, they dont last.  

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the kind words! Glad you're having fun.

 

I bought Mend-It for the first time to repair these.

 

You can usually squeak an extra fish or two after a repair.

 

Definitely my biggest dislike about JDM baits is their fragility...And cost.

[FishTank]

10 hours ago, TOXIC said:

Having been to the Yamamoto factory in Page, AZ, where they have a “Japan Only” section and browsing through all of the baits they pour for the Japanese market only (used to average shipping 5 boxcars a month), I saw a lot of baits that I thought were totally ridiculous.  One of them being the Yamatanuki.  The new ownership decided to release it domestically and that’s a good thing.  You’d be amazed how many others are made. ?

I'm surprised that they have not brought over the Imo Grub or the Leg Worm. I have never fished them but heard they were two of their more popular baits at one time. 

[RRocket]

24 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I'm surprised that they have not brought over the Imo Grub or the Leg Worm. I have never fished them but heard they were two of their more popular baits at one time. 

The reasons are usually production constraints. I often read of them being sold out in Japan and not being able to keep up. Even though they know the bait is good and will sell in other markets, that often requires capital investment to be able to adequately furnish the Japanese AND other large markets simultaneously.

 

Have heard first hand of tackle shops being told "No" when they wanted to officially carry certain JDM tackle brands. Because some brands could barely keep up with their current customer base.

 

I don't think some brands were prepared or willing for capital investments to expand to the North American market. 

[MIbassyaker]

Welp. Now I'm going to get poop the mail from TW in a few days. Thanks, guys.

[RRocket]

1 minute ago, MIbassyaker said:

Welp. Now I'm going to get poop the mail from TW in a few days. Thanks, guys.

Let us know how it goes! 

 

I'm telling you...FUN! 

[AJ Hauser]

17 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i packed my lunch today, and i am going to eat it during a meeting so i can go to the store to buy more.

 

 

I love the fact that fishing is so awesome we'll modify our day-to-day activities to make time to go get more / better / extra gear. Gotta do what you gotta do! 

 

@RRocket it sure sounds like you're on to something - you're not the only one that's down with brown town! ?

[FryDog62]

I fish the baby sized Deps Cover Scat, Yamatanuki, and the one you could consider adding - the smallest Fish Arrow "Heavy Poop."  I throw them all on BFS - Phenix Feather 7'1" ML with a Curado BFS reel and 7 lb Sniper. The smallmouth in particular like the pumpkin/chartreuse colored Heavy Poop.  

[RRocket]

2 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

I fish the baby sized Deps Cover Scat, Yamatanuki, and the one you could consider adding - the smallest Fish Arrow "Heavy Poop."  I throw them all on BFS - Phenix Feather 7'1" ML with a Curado BFS reel and 7 lb Sniper. The smallmouth in particular like the pumpkin/chartreuse colored Heavy Poop.  

 

I think I'd add the Arrow if I fished deeper water as it's my understanding it sinks quickly.

[Darth-Baiter]

i have three fresh packs to harass Clearlake bass with this weekend.  so far, the CL bass have not been interested in anything.  

 

but i think they have moved to rocky outcroppings according to my contact at the bait shop.  hahah

 

 

[Darth-Baiter]

18mph gusts on the Delta tomorrow, so that aint happening.

 

I will go poop on a Clearlake bass pooplation tomorrow to see if it pans out.  

[RRocket]

On 9/15/2023 at 10:22 AM, Darth-Baiter said:

18mph gusts on the Delta tomorrow, so that aint happening.

 

I will go poop on a Clearlake bass pooplation tomorrow to see if it pans out.  

Well? 

 

How'd it go? 

[Darth-Baiter]

10 hours ago, RRocket said:

Well? 

 

How'd it go? 

going now.  in  a  few minutes.  yesterday was derailed by an evening of acid reflux.  my first time, and it was not possible to sleep.  gross.

[Darth-Baiter]

Free rig cleaned up today. 

[RRocket]

2 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

Free rig cleaned up today. 

Do tell! 

[Darth-Baiter]

Tough fishing. But i I tossed out my bait and started eating some lunch. I dragged the plastic slower than ever.  I would feel rocks and branches as my bait moved over them.  Slow!   Then I could feel the tiniest “tick”.  Jam hook home and FISH ON!   I learned the pattern and caught 8 fish for the day.  Off water at noon when the wind came in hard. 
 

ugly bass.  Sores, skinny, ragged fins.  Not sure what’s going on. 

[RRocket]

Just wanted to update this thread with a couple new additions from Geecrack.

 

First the Imo Kemushi 60. It's 60mm (2.4"). Basically, a poop bait with silicone skirting material through it. On the drop, these quiver in a tantalizing way. That's the idea, anyways! 

 

Next is the Imo Kemuchi Slim 3.8. This is a 3.8" worm with silicone skirting on the butt.