Tad-Max

[TheDreamer]

After running out of plastic and sitting in my shop with cold injectors and no production, this happened.

[andrewlamberson]

Ummm...  I REALLY like it...Maybe the answer to the plastic bait that "floats"

The secret to getting a bait to "float" is not letting it break the surface tension...I wonder how a bait like this would work as a "slop bait"...and the tail would help if you were trying to make it "walk the dog" (like a rudder) ...like in my post about using the Flippin Hog as a top water bait.

I wonder if it would be better to make this as one entire shot....or mold just the body with a modification to accept glue in...or melted in...carrots? I would really like to make the body out of "hard" to make it tough,  and the tail out of "soft" so it doesn't interfere with the hook set. Plus some days a short tail...others a long tail? How about a cupped face so the thing would really pop??

The bass bug fly tier in me really is suggesting I should run some round rubber legs through that beast with a sewing needle!!!

Reference: http://thebasspond.com/topic/2196/Bass-Poppers#.UBbYsGG8WIU for some images of "classic" bass bugs...note the long, SOFT tails that aid in not breaking the surface tension...but don't affect the hook up (a stiff tail causes the bass to push the bait away while striking vs. the soft tail collapsing. It's a delicate balance of stiffness/softness.

VERY interesting idea!

[TheDreamer]

Just wait, I still don't have plastic so I will be doing another with 2 tails. As for the action, I have yet to see it but I made a few for some local guys that are running it as a punch bait with a 1/0 worm hook and 1/4 oz bullet weight, they say they are smashing the mats. After the initial cast they are leaving the bails open to allow it to drop 3-4ft and within the first 2 feet of retrieve is when they are getting hit. The colors they are running are the Jade Palace green I did for the swap with the same color tail as the one here.. Took the remainder of the pearl baits from bag #2 and remelted them with 10 drops of CCM white and added 1/8 tsp 0.15 halo silver and shot them into 6" skinny carrots. My plan is to do one with 2 carrot tails, one with 2 10" ribbon tails(mostly just the curl and enough plastic to weld) and one with 4" swim toad feet that are reversed from the original bait(for serious flare).

[andrewlamberson]

I like that even more! The idea of the wide feet would really help keep it on the weeds/surface!!! Big wide body. 4/0 light wire bass hook....BAM!

That would be a seriously good slop bait for bass and Northern Pike!