Fall Rate

[Bigbas21]

I think both but the canal system I fish is gin clear for the most part
but Lake O changes quite often.

A Devils Horse is more effective in choppy water. especially when you rip it
pretty aggressively.  A One Knocker Spook or something similar seems better in calm
water situations I've found.

How bout you?  Your thoughts?

-BB

[ctom]

I like the SkitterPops for a top water when I am not using a frog of some sort. On the Skitters I get rid of the feathered hook  at the back and put a treble one size larger on in its place. At rest the bait will then sort of dig its rear end into the water slightly so when those hits come from right underneath I have more hook there. The larger hook does wonders when hits come from the side or behind too. I replace all of the Skitterpop hooks with Gammi or Mustad  black nickel hooks.

[efishnc]

I'm pretty much the same, letting any surface disturbance dictate the aggressiveness of my topwater baits (all baits for that matter), but the feathers on the front really has me wondering if there is a coordinating mechanism that might make it better under certain conditions.

[Bigbas21]

I like the SkitterPops for a top water when I am not using a frog of some sort. On the Skitters I get rid of the feathered hook  at the back and put a treble one size larger on in its place. At rest the bait will then sort of dig its rear end into the water slightly so when those hits come from right underneath I have more hook there. The larger hook does wonders when hits come from the side or behind too. I replace all of the Skitterpop hooks with Gammi or Mustad  black nickel hooks.

Nice!

I almost always replace every bait that has a treble hook on it
with a Gammi #2, both front and back.
Gammi doesn't make treble hooks with feathers so I use Mustad instead.

Good stuff!

-BB

[Bigbas21]

Hey Guys,

I wanted to let you guys know that I am by no means a Know-it-all.
I hope no one gets that impression.
My mind is wide open to learning.
So when I share stuff, it comes from a Christian heart.

Thanks,

-BB

[ctom]

Those feathered tail hooks have always been a good Sunfish catcher, moreso than Bass for me.

I never moved a feathered treble to the front hook location so I can't say yea or nay, but having the extra color mass forward may do something that draws more hits. All of the feathered trebles I've seen have stiffer feather fibers tied on and I doubt that the feather offers much in the way of peripheral motion, other than another color swinging when the bait goes quiet.

[Bigbas21]

Another trick I use is to tie 4-5 Palomar knots on any topwater, trim them tight and then tie onto my line.
If you notice when you tie directly on, your knot will slip to the bottom of the O-ring.
The knots will prevent that from happening which changes the angle.

I hope this helps.

-BB

[Bigbas21]

It's an easy experiment.
Have the same topwater tied on to 2 different rods.  One with a feathered front, one with a feathered back.
If they're on a topwater bite, alternate back and forth.

You'll get a better feel for what works better.  But heck, they can be finicky at times.  One day the front feathered
may work, one day the back feathered may be better.

Sometimes I use "me" things that seem to work, so I stick with it.  And that honestly might be our worst enemy.

I listen to my gut mostly.

-BB

I'm pretty much the same, letting any surface disturbance dictate the aggressiveness of my topwater baits (all baits for that matter), but the feathers on the front really has me wondering if there is a coordinating mechanism that might make it better under certain conditions.

[Bigbas21]

Thanks 21,

The glass worked perfectly.
I used 1 tb salt and 11/2 Tb glass - Perfect Fall Rate.

Plus the baits come out of the mold clean and neat with no extra plastic to trim.

-BB

Use glass bead media instead of salt and more of it.


  https://www.ebay.com/itm/111810823636?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

You might want ultra fine   

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GLASS-BEAD-13-Ultra-Fine-25-lbs-Sand-Blast-Cabinet-BLASTING-MEDIA/264386229770?hash=item3d8ea5b60a:m:mWRY85dtohxvgvEghOH4DCg:sc:USPSPriorityFlatRateBox!48186!US!-1


https://www.ebay.com/itm/GLASS-BEAD-13-5-Cups-ULTRA-FINE-BEAD-Hobby-Craft-Particle-BLASTING-MEDIA-/264361234579?hash=item3d8d285093

[21xdc]

Ditch the salt. 

[Bigbas21]

Tell me why please.  I'm listening.

Thanks,

-BB

Ditch the salt. 

[21xdc]

Durability, clearity of colors, keep your hooks in the same box w/o rusting and the fish hold the bait the same. 

[Bigbas21]

Ah, ok.  Makes sense!
Next batch No Salt.
I guess I'm guilty of thinking salt is a key element but I'm wondering if Yamamoto
uses salt so the baits don't last very long.
Thoughts?

-BB

Durability, clearity of colors, keep your hooks in the same box w/o rusting and the fish hold the bait the same. 

[ctom]

That's an interesting though Big. The ground salt used in these baits is irregular in granule shape and could make the baits less durable, as most know that they aren't good for a boatload of fish for each bait. Interesting marketing ploy and possibly when none of the big companies wander far from salt use. Salt is cheap too. Doubtful the fish know its there though.

There are a boatload of guys here that use other weighting materials, as you're finding out, that have a lot of positives for their use. Clearer bait colors, toughness without losing softness....the list goes on.

[Bigbas21]

It's all about money and the bottom line.
Heck, I'll rip thru at least a bag of Yam Senkos every time I fish.
Gary Yam has made millions off guys like us.
Smart man, purposely using salt so his baits don't last long, at $8ish per bag.

-BB

That's an interesting though Big. The ground salt used in these baits is irregular in granule shape and could make the baits less durable, as most know that they aren't good for a boatload of fish for each bait. Interesting marketing ploy and possibly when none of the big companies wander far from salt use. Salt is cheap too. Doubtful the fish know its there though.

There are a boatload of guys here that use other weighting materials, as you're finding out, that have a lot of positives for their use. Clearer bait colors, toughness without losing softness....the list goes on.