Techniques for using baits....

[ghostbaits]

While I was sitting at work, waiting for my server to re-boot, I thought I would ask how everyone is using some of the baits available here.

I'll start with a technique we call "fripping" down this way... You rip the croaker across the vegitation and then kill it right at the end. Kind of frogging and flipping, hence the fripping..

You need to rig your frog with a small weight on the line for this to be a successful technique. I use 1/32 oz tungsten. It will give the frog a slow but decent dive and also cause the legs to kick a bit.

Hold on to your rod and watch your line as you will see your line jump when "big momma" whacks your frog.

I have also been punching mats effectively with the MD 3 XL. Been using a 7'11" carrot stix and Denny Braur flippin reel set-up with 65lb power pro. Add a 1 1/4oz tungsten weight and it is on! So far, green pumpkin with the claw tips dipped in chartreuse has been the ticket.

Anybody fishing the Birch Bug yet? Like to know how and see the pics!

Jim

[Underdog]

I just put in a order for the birch bug should be here by the weekend I live in mass the weather has been in the 40s still ganna try to get out there and fish this bait. I'll most likley fish it on some lite weight jigs like 3/16 or 1/4 once sence the water temp is low. I'll keep you posted.


     shawn

[Jason]

I've already posted my success with the Birch Bug so I'll leave that to others.  I am going to try and pour it as a laminate today - we'll see how that goes.

I do want to comment on the cold weather fishing.  I love fishing in the winter in Texas.  Our water normally will hover around 50 degrees on Fork.  I like it for a couple reasons:

1) I may be the only dummy I see all day - most go to the power plant lakes (quantity over quality I guess)
2) The quality of the fish is much better (they are larger).  I may only catch a couple fish, but they will be 6lbs+
3) I think they are easier to find and they typically hold tight to structure
4) I've had the most success with the simplest presentation, dead sticking or just barely moving it
5) When I designed the Caney Creek Craw (last winter) it was with cold water fishing in mind.  I fish it on a jig, very small movements.  I think this is a successful strategy for winter fishing as the fish aren't looking for a fight, they want a big easy meal.

My second favorite bait for winter fishing is a 6" stick bait - no weight, wacky or Texas rigged.  We don't offer them but I think they are successful for the same reason, big slow presentation.

The "fripping" is new to me and until Jim explained it I had no idea it was an effective presentation.  I want some of those Panfish colored Frogs!!!

[HawgBone]

This whole "fripping" thing is really intriguing me ghost, is your tungsten weight a cradle weight that you're rigging on the hook, or are you putting the weight up the line a foot or two? I'm going to have to put this technique in the books for spring, with the ice being on its way here in PA

-Chris
p.s.- sorry to be annoying you on another forum ghostbaits 

[ghostbaits]

No sweat Chris. With that technique, I atually use a bobber stopper on my line to peg the weight to the nose of the frog.

Down this way (in Georgia), we have LOTS of vegitation all year long. Your frog "nose" gets beat up pretty bad. I normally run a plastic bead on my line in front of the frog nose just to give the nose a break. Cool thing about this frog is that the nose rides up a little higher so it doesn't get down into the vegitation to bad.

Nothing better than a nice frog blown up to get me going!!!!!

Jim