Big Foot Rigging Method

[BassDetective]

What are the preferred rigging methods for this bait:

1)  Using a top water

2)  Flippin Bait

I am guessing a 3/0 flippin hook and appropriate weight for the style and density of the cover.  Does this bait run as true as the Croaker or does it need a little weight to keep it running true when on top or near the surface.

[Jason]

What are the preferred rigging methods for this bait:

1)  Using a top water

2)  Flippin Bait

I am guessing a 3/0 flippin hook and appropriate weight for the style and density of the cover.  Does this bait run as true as the Croaker or does it need a little weight to keep it running true when on top or near the surface.

I've been using a 5/0 EWG hook with it.

Top water you don't need to use weight, but you can.  Flippin or as a swim toad I have been using a 3/8 oz bullet weight.  The good thing is with 3/8 you can still work the top if you want (you can't pause unless you want it to sink pretty quick).

It runs very true, surprisingly true.  We used the same concepts from the Croaker and applied them to the underside of Big Foot and she runs straight as an arrow.  I'll try and swing by my neighbors pool this week and get some videos on top and swimming.

Jason

[BassDetective]

Thank you.

[firetiger]

I'm looking forward to the video!

[BassDetective]

I had a chance to fish the Ol' Big Foot this weekend.  I love this bait.  Very versatile.  I rigged it with a 4/0 Gamakatsu Wide Gap Worm Hook and 3/8 or 5/16 tungsten bullet weight with a punch stop to keep it pinned to the bait.  I love the way it swims just under the surface.  I had my best success hopping it off the bottom (fish would bite on or near the bottom or on top but not in the middle).  Great swimmer.  It is ok on top - I prefer the Croaker for the true top water.  In my experience (very limited) with the bait you have to move it a little quick to keep it on top with the weight and that is not always what you want.  I can see moving it very quickly in clear water but I almost never get clear water except in spring.  My best color was a variation of purple smoke.

[Jason]

I had a chance to fish the Ol' Big Foot this weekend.  I love this bait.  Very versatile.  I rigged it with a 4/0 Gamakatsu Wide Gap Worm Hook and 3/8 or 5/16 tungsten bullet weight with a punch stop to keep it pinned to the bait.  I love the way it swims just under the surface.  I had my best success hopping it off the bottom (fish would bite on or near the bottom or on top but not in the middle).  Great swimmer.  It is ok on top - I prefer the Croaker for the true top water.  In my experience (very limited) with the bait you have to move it a little quick to keep it on top with the weight and that is not always what you want.  I can see moving it very quickly in clear water but I almost never get clear water except in spring.  My best color was a variation of purple smoke.

Nice review.  Did you try working it on top with no weight?  I've found no weight or to keep it flexible for flipping and swimming a 1/4oz provides a pretty happy medium.  This is probably the biggest challenge with this bait, deciding to rig it for the top or as a flipping / swimming bait.  When I am in heavy veggies I want it both ways...  The other thing that is driving me crazy is I want to know if the fish think it's a Bluegill or a Frog when swimming???

How were your strikes?  The fish here just totally load up on it.

Jason

[BassDetective]

I didn't try it without a weight this weekend.  I have before and didn't love it as much as the croaker.  I had one rod with a croaker for when I wanted to test the top and the Big Foot for pitchin, fast buzzing under the surface, and hopping off the boat (Like you might with a jig).  The strikes were good thumpers.  The croaker was getting hit hard on the top by the juvenile bass (10-12 inches).  Unfortunately, the smaller bass ruled the weekend which as nothing to do with the baits just the dynamic of where I was fishing.  All and all it was fun because of the top water action.

[Jason]

This is what I've found as well.  Our top water bite is dead right now, but I was getting thumped flipping and swimming it.  I'll be curious to see when the top water bite picks up this fall how it does on top.  I can't wait to burn it across the lilly pads and just let it die in a hole!!!

[BassDetective]

We've got a major algae bloom that has been on since July which is providing a good canopy and that has really kept the top water bite going.

[BassDetective]

I fished Big Foot on 20 lb braid with spinning rod today with NO weight.  I really liked the wake that the bait leaves.  I had previously fished it on top with a casting rod and a sinking line and didn't like the action as much.  I will definitely fish this on top just use braid to keep the bait up on top.