Another Sassy Shad modification and no-tail grub bodies in general

[senkosam]

I've caught fish on Sassy Shads for years. But recently I thought of a way to make a change in the action of this famous boot tail. All I did was cut off the body so that the action of it is more shimmy than waddle.

But then I had another insight: why not remove the boot tail? Sure enough the tailless lure had a unique action that fish attacked. It looks like this and has caught 5 species:

The action when rigged on a 1/24 oz. jig is a darting back & forth along with pauses.

The tailless design led to the creation of a double-body grub. I cut the curl tails off two grubs and joined them together by using a candle flame to melt and then fuse the ends. It's one of my best innovations and catches everything.

[Rex]

Are you on IDO?

[Lines]

? IDO ?

[Lines]

https://www.in-depthoutdoors.com/community/forums/

Thanks Dr. Sam, my account is now active.

[senkosam]

Yes, I post on IDO and a doz. other forums:
https://www.in-depthoutdoors.com/community/forums/topic/soft-plastic-hybrids-and-modifications/
The above post shows lists of all of my soft plastic lure modifications that have proven themselves.

A grub minus the curl tail does just as well:

[Muskygary]

Looks like a small ned bait!

[senkosam]

Other body-only shapes have been getting smacked by bass, panfish and even catfish. The action must always be imparted rod tip twitches and slight reel handle turns causing the lure to wobble-dart & pause. A plausible reason is the greater time-in-place for a lure to aggravate fish to strike vs moving at a steady speed (i.e. crankbait or curl tail grub). I've found fish aren't usually in the mood to chase lures - at least not very far.

Vibration detection in fish is incredible and easily differentiates frequencies and various motions whether live or man-made. Lures in general don't mimic anything a fish eats but could get its digestive juices going due to unnatural shapes and actions lures possess. It's kind of like you or I checking out something we've never eaten but whose aroma gets and holds our attention. I would think the following sequence super important in a lure's success:
1. splash down
2. initial motion on the drop
3. motion and speed on the retrieve

Trout flies, feather and fur jigs are the most subtle lures going when it comes to shape, action and slow speed. Next in line are three shapes: the tailless body-lure shown above, and stinger (spike) tail) and the straight thin tail. All generate strikes from less than aggressive fish - the reasons speculative at best. Here are a few more:

[senkosam]

more yet: (one wacky rigged)

[senkosam]

and:
The top one I found online and was intrigued by the body ridges and bumpy tail. Caught fish!
The bottom one - 2 bodies joined together - is one of my greatest discoveries!

[Muskygary]

WOW! I like that idea of two bodies together to form a wacky rig. I will definitely try that.