I finally went out and got a short clip of the My Snack Size Swimbaits a few weeks back so I figured I would post it up. Work on the new JSJ Tackle website is going slow to say the least but it will be up soon.
The prototypes of the new Snack Size blue gill bait are done and I am currently starting in on the molds for that bait this week. Here is a short video clip of the new Snack Size Blue gill Prototype as well
So if you have not figured this out yet, I am a swimbait junkie.
I was delivering a batch of my baits today at Outdoor Pro Shop in Rhonert Park, when I noticed a box on the ground full of Rago Rats.
This of course sparked my interest, and then I realized that they were the new Delta Rats I had heard about.
Well needless to say a couple hundred bucks later I was on my way with a hand full of new swimbaits.
These things just came out are going to go faster than I think they can even get them up on their website
They also have a few of the original Big Sewer Rats, I picked up the one Baby Bass one they had (sorry).
I took a photo of the Big Delta Rat next to a Big Lunker Punker to give an Idea of the size. The big one is 6 ½” and the smaller is 5”.
Give them a call at (707)588-8033
They should have them up on their website in the next day or so - however they will go quick.
Being a bait maker I am always interested in trying other people’s baits. I find it fascinating to see other people’s ideas and innovations all come together.
It is also very fun to take a new bait you have never used before and see what makes it tick, by learning how to fish it best.
I went out with a friend the other day to do some taping of one of my prototype bluegill baits in action. This will be up online very shortly here just as soon as it gets edited together.
Anyway he brought along a couple of The TyLure Kicker Trout baits in the 8” floater and sinking versions.
The first thing I noticed about Tyler’s baits are the paint jobs – or more like 'glitter jobs'. Coming from the world of custom bikes, I can appreciate the Bling, as I have spent many hours spraying glitter onto motorcycle tanks such as this memorial bike for Johnny Chop at Custom Design Studios in Novato (before I left to follow other dreams).
Back to the swimbait: the next thing I noticed was that it was very strongly built, which is a plus in my book. It also has a unique hook-keep for the former treble hook, now a double hook, nestled on the front portion of the bait – interesting, I thought. The rear and bottom fins are made of really strong durable plastic and there is a second eyelet for a second treble on the mid-section of the bait.
To be honest, when I saw the bait I was not immediately sold. I have a habit of picking out everything I see wrong with something before I see the positive aspects (sort of my character I guess).
The floater really came to life when it hit the water. It has amazing action. Not too many baits do this, but even at rest the bait moves just ever so slightly. A good trait I would say. I was also able to make the bait do a number of cool things. I think a lot of people really don't play around with retrieves enough; I like to spice it up.
The slow sinker has a pretty good cadence to it, it can be twitched and paused for some good results or burned down slightly which gives it sort of a subtle action which I would describe as close to an original AC Plug.
I highly recommend getting a hold of one of Tyler’s baits. He not only has the 8” Trout, but a 6” Trout and a 5” Pan Fish series. Check them out: TyLures
Here is a quick easy way to make one of the original large soft plastic swimbaits weed less.
Starting off by showing the Standard hook set up on a 6” Osprey Swimbait .
This modification requires a 10/0 Lake Fork Trophy Lures Swimbait hook, some Mend It soft bait glue and a small piece of a drop shot or similar worm.
Step 1
Gently work the lead through line through sinker out of the bait.
Step 2
Cut about a one inch section off the head of a RoboWorm or similar size worm to the old weight.
Step 3
Squeeze some Mend It and glue into the old weight cavity and insert the small piece of worm into the hole.
At this point you want to glue up the hole in the nose real well so the head of the new Lake Fork Swimbait hook will have good amount of plastic to bite into.
Step 4
The rest is pretty self explanatory, Just push in the head of the hook and pin it through the back of the bait. You can leave the hook a little exposed or bury it into the back of the bait slightly.
More Tips & How-To posts on The Wired Angler:
How to Make Your Own Big Topwater Plug Bass Lure
Painting a Wooden Plug or Crankbait
Basic Boat Repair – Part One: Fixing Minor Dings and Chips
Basic Boat Repair – Part two: Fixing Minor Dings and chips
10 Ways to Rig a Basstrix Style Swimbait
Out of all the bass fishing techniques used these days, swimbait fishing has to be one of the most complicated type of lures out there, both to get used to and be successful in doing so. Or so I used to think myself years ago.
I think intimidation is the key factor in this. I certainly understand why. You take something totally new and 10 times bigger than what most folk fish on a daily basis, give them all these rules to follow, tell them they need all new equipment to even think about throwing them – and then there’s the cost. It’s enough to make you run away with your hands flailing in the air.
As with everything in fishing I preach keeping it simple. I have spent the last couple of years narrowing my swimbait box down from an unmanageble cluster down to a few Plano boxes, and here are my favorites (in no particular order).
The 6” Castaic original boot tail
Coming in at 2.435 oz
This bait hands down has caught me more bass than any other swimbait I own, in particular spotted bass. For some reason this is the best spotted bass swimbait I have had experience with. I like using this bait on a relatively fast retrieve and just bumping it into anything I can find submerged in the depths: points, rocks, trees, carp, whatever. I particularly like to parallel steep rocky banks with this bait.
The Lunker Punker Jr
Coming in at 7” and 2.700 oz
Talk about a versatile bait, this topwater wood swimbait can be used on just about any body of water anywhere and the size is not overwhelming. This bait in my opinion is best at a good spook-like walk but can do many things depending on water conditions. I have always been a fan of wood plugs so that is what really sold me on this bait more than anything.
8” Huddlston Deluxe
Coming in at 8” and 4.200 oz
The Granddaddy of swimbaits, no swimbait box is complete without it. This is the bait that really sold me on swimbait fishing as a whole. With the rate of fall system built into the baits it really helped put a new swing on big bait fishing.
6” Huddlston
Coming in at 6” and 2.055 oz
Just when you thought your swimbait box was complete, this thing came out. I immediately got a hold of one. Well, I was not one of the people that paid over $100 for one on eBay, I did hold back a little. I did not even have a period of being not-so-sure about this bait. I caught fish on it the first day. The second time out I had a 7 pounder in the first hour.
3:16 Mission Fish 6” and 7”
Coming in at 1.455 for the 6” and 1.885 for the 7”
This bait lets you throw a swimbait in all those places you grew up fishing for bass, in the thick stuff. I have had my best swimbait days on Clear Lake with this bait. Just add wind and cover and you’re on your way to one heck of a day. I just realized the other day I had not fished a spinner bait in over a year and all I have to say is I blame the Mission Fish.
Matt Lures Bluegill
Coming in at 5” and 1.820
This is the Huddleston of bluegill baits; this bait has to be part of your swimbait arsenal. It is so versatile; it has made its name as a bed bait but think about it: the blue gill is top on the menu of a largemouth bass diet. Any time of the year this thing shines from 1 to 40 feet of water. It can be fished fast, slow, hopped dropped dropped suspended you name it. Just don’t leave the ramp without it.
Osprey 7.5”
Coming in at 7.5“and 2.475 oz
This bait is one of the heavy-hitters in northern California and really brought a lot of people over to the dark side. I have to admit I don’t use it quite as much as I should but when it does come out of my box it rarely disappoints me. This is an awesome shallow bait, big but not cumbersome.
3:16 wake Jr
Coming in at 7.5 “ and 3.165 oz
Another bait with a cult following like the Hudd. All I have to say is if you have to beg, borrow, or steal to get his bait it will be worth it. Mickey is one of my idols when it comes to bait design, and my swimbait box was not complete before this bait was in it, and neither is yours. This is a topwater wake bait with a plastic lip.
Jerry Rago Baby tool
Coming in at 8” and 4.085 oz
This bait is made by another innovator in swimbait design: Jerry Rago, and is the culmination of years of design all in one bait. If you do not own one of these baits I am sorry. It is not a bait that is built for everyday fishing, but more of a trophy-hunter bait. I have caught just a handful of fish on it but I have to say: you will have to pry mine from my cold dead hands.
JSJ Tackle Snack Size Trout
Coming in at 7” and 2.200 oz
You did not think I would leave my bait out of this list did you? This is a topwater bait that I designed, redesigned, tested, and went back to the drawing board about 5 times with before I was happy. After years of fishing all my favorite baits I decided to try my hand at bait design myself. This is what I came up with, a 100% hand, made completely in the US. I took my favorite aspects of baits I owned and added some twists. I designed a bait that was big but not too heavy, a bait that could be effectively ripped, walked, jumped, turned, and just about anything your imagination can come up with.
Throw all the rules out the window and just go fishing every once in a while.
So here is the first picture of my new baits. I am just about to head out to Clear Lake for the Won Bass Pro Am to do some pre-fishing, so I will be away until Monday.
I will be beginning production next week and will start selling them once I have at least 50 or so done. I am still in the process of getting my labels done for the boxes and all that fun stuff that goes along with it. The Swimbait is a 7″ hard jointed bait with a hand poured soft plastic replaceable tail. They are going to be made in a floater as well as a slow sinker. I can not wait until the top water bite picks up for this thing. I will have a box of them with me, if you see me up there.
E-mail me if you want to be put on a waiting list for the baits.
Here is a short clip of my new 7" swimbait. This is the wake bait – there will be a sinking model as well. I am in the process of finishing all my molds and getting the soft plastic tails molded.
More Videos on The Wired Angler:
Video: Snack Size Trout on Clear Lake
