Yum Money Minnow help

[Clark Stewart]

Bought a pack of money minnows the other day and finally tied on one this afternoon. I used an eagle claw keel weighted 6/0 hook with the nose keeper sticker. When I fished this thing I noticed that it seemed to list from side to side in the wobble much like the side to side lean or wobble of a crankbait. Was it rigged wrong or is this part of the action. I thought that the body stayed still while the tail did all the wiggling. Any help or tips for this bait would be appreciated - especially about rigging.

[Dan:]

most of the paddletail swimbaits have a varying degree of wobbling in the body. As long as you make sure the hook is centered then it will run the way it is supposed to.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

Hook centered in the nose.No bends in the back and body layed out straight.Make sure the paddle tail isn't crooked either.If it is you may be able to dunk it in hot water for 30 secs then cold water to straighten it out.The bait needs to be rigged perfectly, unlike most plastics where small flaws can be overcome. Also if enough weight isn't used then the bait won't ride correctly in my experience. 1/8 for the small ones and 1/4 oz-3/8 for the 5 inch is pretty much standard. The bait should have a slight wobble and vibration in the body but not roll,flip,swim sideways,or track to one side.The strong resistance from the tail is attempting to roll the bait over but the weight keeps it upright.

You using a screw in hook?

[Clark Stewart]

Hook centered in the nose.No bends in the back and body layed out straight.Make sure the paddle tail isn't crooked either.If it is you may be able to dunk it in hot water for 30 secs then cold water to straighten it out.The bait needs to be rigged perfectly, unlike most plastics where small flaws can be overcome. Also if enough weight isn't used then the bait won't ride correctly in my experience. 1/8 for the small ones and 1/4 oz-3/8 for the 5 inch is pretty much standard. The bait should have a slight wobble and vibration in the body but not roll,flip,swim sideways,or track to one side.The strong resistance from the tail is attempting to roll the bait over but the weight keeps it upright.

You using a screw in hook?

I used an eagle claw hook (only one I could find at academy for some reason) 6/0 with a keel weight and one of those little sticker barbs that pushes into the nose of the bait. It did just as you described. It tracked straight but did wobble side to side a little. Guess I had it right.

[Gangley]

there are several videos on you tube with people showing the proper hooking method for the Money Minnow.