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Posted

Went out to my buddy's pond yesterday to try out the Ragetail Shad and to see it work. I caught about 7 bass and probably missed about twice that number. I waited about 1 1/2 seconds to feel the weight of the fish on the strike before setting the the hook and still lost a few. My hookset isn't exactly the grandest either.

Here is the equipment I was using hopefully someone can give me some tips to increase my hookup ratio.

American Rodsmiths Apex Titanium 7ft medium heavy rod

Sufix Elite 12lb test

Gamakatsu 4/0 EWG Hook

Quantum KV600cx Baitcasting reel

Posted

hook ratio's on frogs aint that great to begin with. The only thing I would change is I would use braid for a good hook set and try some sort of attractant so that they will hold on better.

Posted
hook ratio's on frogs aint that great to begin with. The only thing I would change is I would use braid for a good hook set and try some sort of attractant so that they will hold on better.

What he said.

Posted

Hey there OKBasshunter,

Would definitely increase the line strength to a 20 lb min. on mono. As you know, going heavier on line makes you lose distance on casts. Braid works terrific on the Shad as well and I would advise 30 lb unless you're in some big fish in thick or heavy cover and then I would go up on line size to 50.

Good Fishin and glad you like'em    ;)

Big O

BTW When you're fishing where Marshmaster is, you better use braid, or you're gonna lose alot of baits and rigging.  

Posted

Big O

BTW When you're fishing where Marshmaster is, you better use braid, or you're gonna lose alot of baits and rigging.

You know thats right

Posted

I bought a Calcutta 100 and a Calcutta 200 that should be coming in on Wednesday what rod would you pair with the Calcutta100, price range 75 to 150 dollars. Does anyone have any braid reccomendations.

Posted

The only braid I use is power pro...it gets the job done.

Posted

Fished the rage shad for the first time at a local pond friday.  Fell in love with the bait, had numerous numerous blowups and strikes hook up ratio was pitfull but all in all I like it and will continue to use it.   Had much better success with it than any buzzbait I have ever used.

Only thing I don't like is having a fish hit it and short strike they bite the tail off.  These things are a bit expensive to be a soft plastic that will only last a few fish before having to be replaced.

Posted

Glad you like'em Beast, Do we need to put a trailer hook on these little devils?.. ;D

Big O

Posted

If you are getting short strikes, I'd say slow down the retrieve, but raise the rod tip up.  You should be able to play with it and get near the exact same amout of action at a little slower speed.

Another thing to take into consideration.  You should be using at least 4/0 EWG hook.  I've used both 4/0 and 5/0 hooks and both work fine for me.

Last thing I can think of is let the fish take the lure.  Just like fishing a topwater frog, you should feel the fish before you set the hook.  Of course, Big O is right.  Maybe we should start playing with trailer hooks just in case lol ;D

Posted

Braid is your #1 choice when fishing topwater sahd or frogs. They increase your hook-ups by at least 35 to 40 percent easy. Trust me I know I started fishing frogs on mono and then I switched to braid and what a difference it made!!! ;)

Posted

I've tried the rageshad a bunch of times with no luck. I've been setting it up with a 4/0 hook weightless and a spinning reel set up with Berkley Big Game 12lb green line. I've tried fast, slow, slow stop and go and sometimes just letting it drop. Any other suggestions. I keep going back to it because I love the way it moves through the water.

Posted

Wherever you would throw a buzzbait and more...the bait works well in the slop too. I would follow the above mentioned advice on line choice to heavier mono or braid, wouldn't want to see you get a big fish to strike and miss the hook up because the line stretched too much.

Big O

Posted

The rod I had with me had Plin on it, I didn't take my braid setup so that was my fault.  I allways throw my topwaters on braid just didn't take the right pole.

I do use a 4/0 gamakatsu ewg I have some 5/0 as well but the 4/0 goes right to the end of the body of the lure and the 5/0 would be to long and right at the tail.  

I allready have an idea for the trailer hook.  I am gonna try a #2 treble on the main hook.   I don't know what it will do to the action hanging down like that but I guess I will find out.   Only problem is won't be able to throw it on top of grass anymore.

Posted

Last thing I can think of is let the fish take the lure. Just like fishing a topwater frog, you should feel the fish before you set the hook. Of course, Big O is right. Maybe we should start playing with trailer hooks just in case lol ;D

I used to have the same problem with topwater. I'd read this same advice a few times but didn't really "get it" until the day I finally got enough patience to just sit there and wait a good 3 seconds after the fish hit it. At first, being so used to worm fishing, it seemed like a really long time to wait, but that's about how long it takes before you can actually feel the fish and it's time to set the hook.

Posted

Went out again this morning at 6:45 with a buddy and all we did was fish Ragetails. Didn't use braid but paid more attention to the strike and set the hook with alot more authority. I caught 20 and my buddy caught 11. Hooked alot more than I miss. I will definitely use braid now after losing 1 fish after it dove underneath the lilypads and broke off my 12lb mono. Needless to my buddy was buying Ragetails after we got done.

  • Super User
Posted
The rod I had with me had Plin on it, I didn't take my braid setup so that was my fault. I allways throw my topwaters on braid just didn't take the right pole.

I do use a 4/0 gamakatsu ewg I have some 5/0 as well but the 4/0 goes right to the end of the body of the lure and the 5/0 would be to long and right at the tail.

I allready have an idea for the trailer hook. I am gonna try a #2 treble on the main hook. I don't know what it will do to the action hanging down like that but I guess I will find out. Only problem is won't be able to throw it on top of grass anymore.

You can cut off one hook on a treble and run it for a trailor just as you described and just push the 2 remaining points into the rear of the bait.That way it will still glide over the crap.

 I have done this with frogs but havent tried with a RT shad yet.I dont see any reason why it wouldn't work.I dont have a pic now but maybe post one soon if anyone interested.

Posted

Would a spinnerbait trailer hook work?

                   -searoach

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