New Videos! Fuzzy Baits

[Glenn]

Take an exclusive deep dive into fuzzy baits, a new bait style you won’t want to miss!
 

 

 

[Jigfishn10]

Some of those you showed in the vid look like centipedes on steroids! Nice vid @Glenn, love the idea  

[papajoe222]

Bass fishing legend Glenn May

Congrats, I was wondering when you'd enter that category.

Fuzzy Baits reminds me of the drink Fuzzy Navel. I think the baits will have a much bigger following.

[bowhunter63]

Definitely gonna try this 

[MediumMouthBass]

This makes me really want to try a black 4" senko with much smaller length strips of skirt matieral for a diy hellgrammite for the river. Thanks for the idea

[RRocket]

Been fishing these for the last couple of seasons. My favourites are Imo Kamushi, the Cue and the 1-Way.

 

I'm particularly fond of the 2Way and Big 2Way. Here's a video of me testing it in my tub! 

 

 

[GreenPig]

Nice. Definitely different.

[Choporoz]

Cheaper than Geecrack

[Bankbeater]

No more throwing away the tail end of a Senko bait, but I can definitely see the sunfish coming after these.

[RRocket]

Here's some of the ones i snapped photos of. And I even made some of my own with a threader from Decoy.

 

The last picture is the Cue..but you can't really tell.

[scaleface]

Ive been doing this for years. I recommend not using white or red strands. Panfish will nibble on them. I posted a photo here of some years ago.  I like half a stick worm on a jig head. I called them a bug.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

20 hours ago, RRocket said:

Been fishing these for the last couple of seasons. My favourites are Imo Kamushi, the Cue and the 1-Way.

 

I'm particularly fond of the 2Way and Big 2Way. Here's a video of me testing it in my tub! 

 

 

Caught a 6.4 on the Cue Bomb, and a 7.10 on the full sized Imo Kemushi last summer, these Geecrack fuzzy baits are pretty incredible.    That said, they have some serious drawbacks, and are quite frustrating to fish with to some degree.

 

As noted by @scaleface, if the hairs are orange, chartreuse, or other brighter colors, the Bream will constantly be ripping them out.    Rigging these baits, especially the Cue Bomb requires creativity outside of using them on the Drop Shot like many do.   Not a DS fan, so I neko rig them and use an Owner CPS spring tightened down around the hook along with a nail weight in the bottom.    I tried them on a Core Tackle Whacky Shot but the hookup ratio isn't great and I think it's because of the gap the weight creates b/t the hook and the bait.    

 

If you rig those big Imo Kemushis Texas Rigged, they last a fish or two at most.    I thread them on a big 5/0 flipping hook and try to stay away from the really heavy stuff.    I'm also still learning how to actually hook the fish on the bait, it's very different than any other bait I've used in that way.    You need to really set the hook like it's a jig or heavy T Rig, but at the same time you also need that wacky rig hookset where you reel into them and then apply a modest hookset.   

 

The little Imo Kemushi I rig like a combo of a neko and ned rig.   Once I got the elastomer version, I started to really like the little Imo Kemushis.  With the regular SAF material the things lasted for a fish or two.   I use a CPS spring tightened down around the hook and then a nail weight.   

 

I need lots more practice and time with these baits, but their potential is only matched by their headaches.  

 

 

[RRocket]

 

1 hour ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Caught a 6.4 on the Cue Bomb, and a 7.10 on the full sized Imo Kemushi last summer, these Geecrack fuzzy baits are pretty incredible.    That said, they have some serious drawbacks, and are quite frustrating to fish with to some degree.

 

As noted by @scaleface, if the hairs are orange, chartreuse, or other brighter colors, the Bream will constantly be ripping them out.    Rigging these baits, especially the Cue Bomb requires creativity outside of using them on the Drop Shot like many do.   Not a DS fan, so I neko rig them and use an Owner CPS spring tightened down around the hook along with a nail weight in the bottom.    I tried them on a Core Tackle Whacky Shot but the hookup ratio isn't great and I think it's because of the gap the weight creates b/t the hook and the bait.    

 

If you rig those big Imo Kemushis Texas Rigged, they last a fish or two at most.    I thread them on a big 5/0 flipping hook and try to stay away from the really heavy stuff.    I'm also still learning how to actually hook the fish on the bait, it's very different than any other bait I've used in that way.    You need to really set the hook like it's a jig or heavy T Rig, but at the same time you also need that wacky rig hookset where you reel into them and then apply a modest hookset.   

 

The little Imo Kemushi I rig like a combo of a neko and ned rig.   Once I got the elastomer version, I started to really like the little Imo Kemushis.  With the regular SAF material the things lasted for a fish or two.   I use a CPS spring tightened down around the hook and then a nail weight.   

 

I need lots more practice and time with these baits, but their potential is only matched by their headaches.  

 

 

 

I hook my Cue opposite of yours, and I use the same hook. I have the Cue pushed as far back as possible so more hook tip is exposed. Ditto on the Dice.

 

Fortunately there's no Bream here to pick at the threads as in your situation.

 

The 1Way is quite interesting. It's essentially a Dice but with a couple side fins which make it wobble. There's also hook points, so I feel more thought was put into hooking on this one.

 

The Big2Way is really good on a Free Rig. No surprise that it looks great doing it's thing on the weightless drop. The smaller elastomer versions (Little 2way) are an exceptional top water pond lure. Really looks like a struggling bug.

 

Despite my love of Japanese baits, some of them can be fragile. But the mindset in regards to this is different over there. If you really are into bug baits, I strongly suggest a threader. That way you might be able to choose a more durable body and threads. Also, the sky's the limit for the baits you can make.

 

I have the Decoy and it works very well.

 

[RRocket]

Oh! And I have some Tiemco Buzz Bugs coming in the mail..

[OHBuckets]

15 hours ago, RRocket said:

Oh! And I have some Tiemco Buzz Bugs coming in the mail..

While we're talking about them, this kinda reminds me of the Geecrack Bugpee. I've had some angry bites on those, as if the LMB reaaaally didn't like them scooting around.

[RRocket]

41 minutes ago, OHBuckets said:

 I've had some angry bites on those, as if the LMB reaaaally didn't like them scooting around.

Good to hear. Am excited to try them.

 

I'll post some photos when I get them.

[RRocket]

Baits have arrived. I'm starting to like these individual clamshells. I just slice though with an Xacto and I can store the bait with my hook on it for short term storage. 

 

Bait is soft. Sparkles are subtle but visible. It's a true Japanese Scuppernong color but from some angles it can look brown. Interesting.

 

Little legs are quite fine with a little ball on the end. I think they will only be useful for the slightest of twitches while stationary.. I can't imagine they'd add anything once you get the big rear legs/claws flapping.

[woolleyfooley]

I find these so interesting. I wonder what it is about the “fuzziness” that the fish like? I guess it just looks alive.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

1 hour ago, woolleyfooley said:

I find these so interesting. I wonder what it is about the “fuzziness” that the fish like? I guess it just looks alive.

It's my belief that the magic happens in the water displacement of these fuzzy baits.

 

A big aspect to Japanese lure design is based on enhancing water displacement made by a particular lure.   I've never heard American bait makers talk much about this, whereas you hear it all the time from Japanese designers.

 

It's also my belief that vibration and water displacement are superior triggering mechanisms for large fish over noise and color.

 

Lastly you can never underestimate the value of 'novel' presentations when it comes to Bass, easily the most curious sport fish I've ever learned about.     

[TLHSS]

Another reason for attraction may be that very young bass eat zooplankton. Zooplankton look fuzzy. 

[RRocket]

5 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

It's my belief that the magic happens in the water displacement of these fuzzy baits.

 

A big aspect to Japanese lure design is based on enhancing water displacement made by a particular lure.   I've never heard American bait makers talk much about this, whereas you hear it all the time from Japanese designers.

 

It's also my belief that vibration and water displacement are superior triggering mechanisms for large fish over noise and color.

 

Lastly you can never underestimate the value of 'novel' presentations when it comes to Bass, easily the most curious sport fish I've ever learned about.     

I agree with all of this which is why I've really got into these baits. And it really started with the poop baits for me, particularly the CoverScat. These flat out get bit, yet they look like nothing special. Until you see the vibrating the fat butt on these does in underwater videos.  Which is like the vibrating and water displacement you refer to.

 

Now in the more bug shaped baits, I have seen plenty of videos where the tiny legs are positively buzzing on the drop. If the lateral line is a sensitive as we've been made to believe, fish would undoubtedly detect these vibrations.

 

Check out the below video as example

 

https://youtu.be/3JK0sb49WVw?feature=shared

[Jigfishn10]

On 12/30/2024 at 8:42 PM, AlabamaSpothunter said:

 

 

That's sexy. I'm surprised @Glenn allowed you to post that thing here, that should be Rated R  

 

Really killer looking bait

[Team9nine]

We’ve been fishing “fuzzy baits” in the Midwest with good success since 1969…

 

[RRocket]

51 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

We’ve been fishing “fuzzy baits” in the Midwest with good success since 1969…

 

 

That's really great! 

 

What is the regional/local name for such a lure? 

[Mobasser]

52 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

We’ve been fishing “fuzzy baits” in the Midwest with good success since 1969…

 

I made a post at one point about the Gapen Ugly Bug. Great multi species jig, and yes. It looks "fuzzy".