Rigging Poop Style Baits

Poop style baits, also known as heavy baits or gravity baits, are a new and innovative category of bass fishing lures that have quickly gained popularity in recent years. 

These baits are designed to fall quickly through the water column and mimic the natural movement of crayfish, baitfish, and other small prey that bass love to eat.

There are a few different ways to rig poop style baits for bass fishing, but the most common and effective method is a weightless rig using a heavy duty EWG (extra wide gap) hook. EWG hooks are designed to penetrate the hard mouths of bass more easily, and they also provide a wider gap to accommodate the thicker bodies of poop style baits.

To rig a poop style bait weightless on an EWG hook, start by threading the hook through the lure's nose. Then, run the hook point out through the bottom of the bait, leaving about 1/4 inch of the hook shank exposed. Finally, bend the hook point back slightly to create a small barb.

Once your bait is rigged, you can fish it in a variety of ways. One popular method is to simply cast it out and let it fall to the bottom. Then, give it a few gentle shakes or twitches to get the attention of nearby bass. 

You can also rig a poop style bait on a jig head, which will allow you to swim it through the water column or hop it along the bottom, especially when fishing a crawfish bite.

A third way to fish a poop style bait is to use a technique called the "free rig." When you cast out a free rig, the weight will sink to the bottom first, followed by the bait. The bait will then float freely above the weight, which gives it a very natural and erratic movement. The free rig is a great way to fish poop style baits in areas with heavy cover, such as weed beds and fallen trees.

Want more details on these rigging methods and when to use them? 

Take a few minutes and watch the following video from the folks at Missile Baits on rigging their Bomba dense plastic bait…

What Is the Cindy Rig?

The Cindy rig is a super finesse bass fishing technique that is particularly effective for catching smallmouth bass. It is named after Cindy Palmer, the wife of Bassmaster Elite Series pro Luke Palmer, who popularized the rig.

The Cindy rig is very simple to tie and fish. It consists of a small soft plastic bait, such as a Great Lakes Finesse Drop Minnow, rigged on a lightweight jig head, such as a Great Lakes Finesse Stealth Ball Jig Head. The jig head weight should be chosen based on the depth of the water you are fishing and the current conditions.

To fish the Cindy rig, simply cast it out and reel it back in slowly and steadily. You can also add a slight pause to your retrieve every now and then. The goal is to keep the bait a few feet over the depth that is holding bass.

The Cindy rig is most effective in clear water and when the bass are feeding on small baitfish. It is also a good rig to use when the bass are pressured or when they are in a neutral mood.

Here are a few tips for fishing the Cindy rig:

• Use a spinning rod and reel spooled with light line, such as 6 to 8 pound test fluorocarbon.
• Cast the rig to likely bass-holding areas, such as rocky points, weed beds, and drop-offs.
• Reel the rig back in slowly and steadily, with the occasional pause.

Take a few moments and watch the following video where Luke Palmer discusses his approach when using the Cindy Rig…

The Cindy rig is a great way to catch bass when they are being finicky, highly pressured or when the conditions are challenging. It is a simple rig to tie and fish, and it is very effective at catching bass, especially smallmouth bass.

Skipping Docks with Frogs

Skipping docks with hollow belly frogs is a highly effective bass fishing technique that can produce explosive topwater strikes. 

Bass are ambush predators that love to lie in wait under docks, and a well-skipped frog can be irresistible to a hungry fish.

The right gear

• Rod: A 7-foot medium-heavy or heavy power, fast action casting rod is ideal for skipping frogs. The power of the rod will help you generate the necessary line speed to skip the frog across the water.
• Reel: A baitcasting reel with a good braking system is essential for skipping frogs. The drag will help you control the frog as it skips across the water and prevent it from skipping out of control.
• Line: Braided line is the best choice for skipping frogs. Braided line has no stretch, which gives you more control over the frog and helps you skip it further.
• Frog: Any hollow belly frog will work for skipping, but some frogs are designed specifically for this technique. These frogs typically have a flatter belly and tend to be a little heavier, which helps them skip more easily.

The skipping technique

• Let out about 10-12 inches of line. This will give you enough line to skip the frog, but not so much that it will tangle.
• Hold the rod tip low to the water. This will help the frog skip across the water instead of diving.
• Make a quick, powerful cast. The key to skipping a frog is to generate enough power to get it across the water.
• Aim for the underside of the dock. The goal is to skip the frog under the dock so that it lands in the shade.

Bass pro Bob Downey loves skipping frogs under docks especially when fishing his favorite grass-laden lakes in the north country. Take some time as he gives a great on the water tutorial on the ins and outs of skipping docks with hollow belly frogs…

Z-Man ChatterBait Elite EVO: The Next Generation of Bladed Jigs

The Z-Man ChatterBait Elite EVO is the latest and greatest iteration of the original bladed jig. It features a number of unique features that make it even more effective at catching bass.

Patented Direct Head-to-Blade Connection

The ChatterBait Elite EVO features a patented direct head-to-blade connection that delivers instant vibration and erratic hunting action. This is due to the unique shape of the blade and the way it is attached to the head.

Hybrid Molded Split Grip and Wire Keepers

The ChatterBait Elite EVO also features a hybrid molded split grip and wire keepers that securely hold various soft plastic trailers while ensuring easy rigging. This makes it easy to switch trailers quickly and easily, without damaging the lure.

Wire-Tied 100% Silicone Skirting

The ChatterBait Elite EVO features wire-tied 100% silicone skirting that is guaranteed to last. This is a major improvement over the traditional rubber skirts that are often found on other bladed jigs.

Oversized Lifelike 3D Eyes

The ChatterBait Elite EVO also features oversized lifelike 3D eyes that add irresistible appeal. These eyes are designed to look like real baitfish, which can help to trigger more strikes from bass.

Highly Detailed Pro-Designed Head Paint Schemes and Skirt Color Patterns

The ChatterBait Elite EVO is available in a variety of highly detailed pro-designed head paint schemes and skirt color patterns. These colors are designed to match the hatch and appeal to bass in a variety of conditions.

Stainless Steel Blade in Plated, Painted, and Glitter Coated Finishes

The ChatterBait Elite EVO features a stainless steel blade in plated, painted, and glitter coated finishes. These finishes are designed to mimic fleeing or distressed crawdads or baitfish.

5/0 Custom Heavy-Duty Needlepoint Black Nickel Hook

The ChatterBait Elite EVO is built around a 5/0 custom heavy-duty needlepoint black nickel hook. This hook is designed to stay sharp and penetrate even the hardest mouths.

Zman Fishing pro Stephen Browning helped design the new Chatterbait Elite EVO to help provide a high quality bait at a more appealing cost than some of the others in the Zman chatterbait line-up.

Take some time and watch this on the water demo where Stephen highlights the features and provides several tips in using the new EVO to improve your chatterbait fishing success...

Interested in adding a few EVOs to your chatterbait arsenal? Check out the selection of Elite EVO chatterbaits and Chatterspike trailer available on the Omnia Fishing website by clicking on the following link:

Zman Chatterbait Elite EVO

Zman Chatterspike Trailer

Fishing Blade Baits for Fall Bass

Blade baits are excellent lures to use when targeting bass that are actively feeding in the fall to fatten up before winter. Their flashy, vibrating action mimics wounded baitfish athat helps trigger reaction strikes from bass holding on deeper water cover. 

Focus on fishing blade baits around areas of transition - places where shallow flats quickly drop into deeper water. Target main lake points, submerged islands, and creek channel edges near shallow spawning areas. The bass will cruise these transition zones looking for easy meals as baitfish migrate to their deep wintering holes.

When fishing a blade bait, use a stop-and-go retrieve. Allow the lure to flutter down to the depth you want to target, then rip it back up with a few sharp twitches of the rod before letting it flutter back down again. Keep your rod tip high to maintain contact with the bait. Strikes will be very subtle, so watch your line for any hesitation or ticks. 

Equip yourself with a sensitive, medium power, fast action 6.5 to 7 foot rod and a low profile reel loaded with 10-15lb fluorocarbon line. This will allow you to work the lure effectively and detect light bites. 

Take a few minutes and watch as bass pro Destin Marion describes a couple modifications he makes to his favorite blade bait to trigger more strikes and keep the bass hooked when they do...

Break out the blade baits this fall and enjoy some heart stopping strikes from fall feeding bass.

What Is a Hovering Fluke?

Simply put, it's an adaptation of using Core Tackle's Hover Rig jig hook with a fluke style soft plastic bait.

Core Tackle's Hover Rig Basics

The Core Tackle Hover Rig is a fishing lure that is designed to imitate a dying baitfish. It features a 90-degree jig hook with a cone-shaped weight on the hook shaft. The weight is placed about 1/4" behind the head of the soft plastic bait, which causes the bait to fall slowly and erratically through the water column. This creates a very realistic presentation that is very attractive to bass and other fish.

The Core Tackle Hover Rig is also very easy to use. Simply insert the hook point about a 1/4" down from the head of the fluke into the body of the soft plastic bait and slide the bait up the hook shank until it snug against the weed guard. Then, pull the head of the bait forward and push the point of the jig head down into the head of the plastic bait. This will lock the bait in place.

This rig is used to develop a very versatile lure and can be used in a variety of situations. It is especially effective in fishing around cover, such as sunken trees, docks, and weed beds. It can also be used in open water.

Bass pro Randy Blaukat is definitely a proponent of using the hover jig head with a fluke as he explains in the folowing video:

Fall Bass Fishing with Underspins

As the summer heat gradually wanes and the leaves begin to change color, it's a clear sign that fall is upon us. For most anglers, the change in season brings exciting opportunities to catch bass as they feed voraciously in preparation for the colder months ahead. 

One effective technique to target these fall bass is using underspins.

What Are Underspins?

Underspins are a versatile and effective lure choice for catching bass. They consist of a jighead with a spinning blade, often attached to a soft plastic fluke or paddletail swimbait trailer. This blade creates vibration and flash, which can mimic injured baitfish, making it an irresistible target for hungry bass. When used correctly, underspins can be especially productive in the fall when bass are actively chasing baitfish.

Selecting the Right Gear:

Before you hit the water, it's essential to ensure you have the right gear. For fall bass fishing with underspins, consider the following equipment:

1. Rod and Reel: A medium to medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting rod between 6'6" and 7.25' is ideal for casting and controlling underspins. Match it with a high-quality reel with a smooth drag system.

2. Line: Use 10-15 lb monofilament or fluorocarbon line for baitcasting setups, and 6-10 lb for spinning gear. The lighter line will allow for better casting and natural bait presentation.

3. Underspin Lures: Select underspins in various sizes, typically ranging from 1/8 to 3/8 ounces. The size you choose should match the forage size in your area as well as the depth of water you're fishing. Common soft plastic trailers include swimbaits and flukes in common baitfish patterns for your local waters.

Fishing Tactics for Underspins:

Now that you have your gear ready, let's dive into the tactics for successful fall bass fishing with underspins:

1. Locate the Baitfish: Bass in the fall are often on the hunt for shad, minnows, and other baitfish. Use your fishfinder or rely on visual cues (schooling baitfish or bird activity) to locate schools of baitfish, as bass will be nearby.

2. Cast Along Cover and Structure: Bass tend to hold near cover and structures like submerged rocks, fallen trees, or drop-offs. Cast your underspin close to these areas and retrieve it slowly and steadily. When a steady retrieve isn't working, vary your retrieval speed to find what the bass prefer.

3. Experiment with Depth: Adjust your underspin's depth to match where the bass are feeding. You can fish it shallow, near the surface, or deeper depending on water temperature and the location of bass and baitfish.

4. Use a Jerk-and-Pause Retrieve: Mimic the erratic movements of injured baitfish by occasionally jerking your rod and then pausing. This action can trigger aggressive strikes.

5. Pay Attention to Water Temperature: As the water cools in the fall, bass become more active during warmer parts of the day. Try fishing during these periods for better results.

6. Be Patient: Bass may not always strike on the first cast. It often takes several presentations to trigger a bite, so be patient and persistent.

Bass often feed aggressively duting the fall as they prepare for the cold winter months. Fall bass fishing with underspins is an exciting and productive technique to add to your angling arsenal during times of increased feeding activity.

By selecting the right gear, understanding the habits of bass in the fall, and applying the correct right approach to fishing underspins, you can increase your chances of success.

Fishing Lipless Crankbaits in the Mid Fall

The mid fall transition period can be a tricky time to figure out patterns, but lipless crankbaits are one versatile lure that should not be overlooked this time of year.

Here are several tips to help you get more success fishing lipless crankbaits in the mid fall:

1. Fish Slow - The metabolism of bass starts to slow down as the water cools in the fall. Make long casts over cover strewn flats and start with a medium to slow, steady retrieve to keep your lure in the strike zone longer. Take your time and be patient.

2. Target Shallow Cover - Target shallow water areas in the 1-4 foot range that have wood cover, rocks, or vegetation. Bass will still be shallow in the fall and a lipless crankbait deflecting off cover triggers reaction strikes.

3. Vary Your Retrieve - Mix up slow rolling, stopping and starting, and occasional twitches and pauses. A yo-yo retrieve can be very effective in the fall since it help triggers reaction bites from inactive bass.

4. Downsize Your Offering - As the water cools, bass are less likely to chase larger baits. Scale down the size of your lipless crankbait to 3/8 or 1/2 ounce models in natural shad or crawfish colors. 

5. Fish Grass Edges - Look for the edges of grass lines and vegetation that is starting to recede. Bass will hold on these transitional zones and a lipless crankbait is perfect for targeting these strike zones.

Take a few minutes and watch as the folks from W2F provide their thoughts and tips while on the water pursuing mid fall bass using lipless crankbaits...

Why Use Balsa Crankbaits When Fishing Shallow Laydowns

Laydown trees are a great shallow water fishing target, especially during the cooler water periods. Most laydowns provide bass with optimal cover, food, and ambush points. 

Balsa crankbaits are an excellent choice for fishing laydown trees, offering several advantages over other types of lures.

Buoyancy

One of the biggest advantages of balsa crankbaits is their buoyancy. Balsa is a very light wood, which makes balsa crankbaits more buoyant than plastic crankbaits. This buoyancy allows balsa crankbaits to float over cover more easily, reducing the chances of snagging.

Action

Balsa crankbaits also have a unique action that is different from plastic crankbaits. Balsa crankbaits have a softer, more subtle action that is often more appealing to bass. This is especially true in shallow water, where bass can be more wary of lures.

Sound

Balsa crankbaits also tend to be quieter than plastic crankbaits. This can be an advantage in shallow water, where bass can be more easily spooked by loud noises.

Here are a few tips for fishing balsa crankbaits for shallow laydown trees:

• Focus on casting to the edges of the laydown trees. This is where bass are most likely to be positioned.
• Don't be afraid to cast your balsa crankbait right into the laydown trees. Balsa crankbaits are very durable and can withstand a lot of abuse.
• If your balsa crankbait does snag, release the tension on the line and allow the buoyancy of the bait to float it free. 

Bass pro Seth Feider loves fishing balsa crankbaits when probing shallow cover like laydowns and submerged trees. Take a few minutes and watch as he provides an on the water demonstration and discussion listing several tips when fishing shallow wood with balsa crankbaits…

Fishing Jigs Around Flooded Trees

Flooded trees provide excellent habitat for bass, especially when located close to deeper water holding areas. The stump and exposed root system gives bass plenty of cover to ambush prey, especially important since there's usually a lot of baitfish around as well. 

Because of their snagless nature, jigs are one of the most effective lures for catching bass around flooded trees.

Here are 5 tips to help you be more successful when fishing jigs around trees:

1. Selecting the appropriate jig is crucial. For fishing around flooded trees, a 3/8 to 3/4 oz flipping or pitching jig with a weed guard is an excellent choice. It helps prevent snagging on branches and debris while allowing you to work the jig effectively.

2. Make accurate casts keeping the jig tight to the tree trunks. You want the jig to fall straight down alongside the tree and into any bottom cover where a bass is likely to be hiding. Be ready for fast strikes. 

3. Set the hook hard. When fishing around flooded trees, strikes can be subtle. Keep your line taut and be ready to set the hook at the slightest indication of a bite. Sometimes, you'll feel a subtle tap or just a change in line tension.

4. Vary your retrieve. Once your jig has fallen to the bottom, work it slowly and deliberately. You want to give the bass enough time to sense and react to your jig. You can work your jig by hopping it along the bottom or by dragging it slowly through the cover.

5. Use strong line and powerful rods. Because of the heavy cover, you'll want to use at least 40 lb test braided line. A 7'+ heavy power, fast action rod will help you wrestle fish out of the branches and roots. Don't be afraid to apply maximum pressure quickly to pull bass away from cover and prevent lost fish.

Here are some additional jig fishing tips when working flooded timber:

• Use a trailer on your jig. A trailer will add bulk and vibration to your jig, which can make it more attractive to bass.
• Experiment with different colors. Bass can be picky about color, so experiment with different colors until you find one that is working.
• Pay attention to the weather. Bass are more active on cloudy days and during low-light conditions.

Bass pro Patrick Walters loves fishing jigs through the tangles of standing timber. Take a few moments and watch as Walters gives his approach to catching bass from flooded trees...

Why the Design of the Zman TRD Matters

The TRD by Zman Fishing is a versatile and effective soft plastic bait that can be used for a variety of fish species in both freshwater and saltwater. It is known for its soft, durable ElaZtech construction, its natural swimming action, and its ability to catch fish even when they are finicky.

The TRD was specifically designed with a slender, forage-like profile with a small tail-end. This design gives the bait a natural darting action when rigged vertically, or a gliding action when rigged horizontally. The TRD is also incredibly soft, which allows it to compress easily when a fish bites down, resulting in a higher hookup ratio.

One of the key features of the TRD is its ElaZtech construction. ElaZtech is a proprietary material that is extremely durable and buoyant. This makes the TRD much more resistant to tears and punctures than traditional soft plastic baits, and it also allows the bait to float up off the bottom when rigged weightless or on a Ned-style jighead. This makes the TRD ideal for fishing in shallow to deep water and around cover when rigged weedless.

The TRD can be rigged in a variety of ways, but it is most commonly used on a Ned rig. The Ned rig is a simple but effective rig that consists of a small jig head and a soft plastic bait. The TRD is an incredibly effective bait for a variety of fish species, including bass, trout, panfish, as well as inshore saltwater fish. It is also very versatile and can be used under a variety of conditions. 

Although many anglers think the Ned rig was designed to mimic small baitfish foraging on or moving along the bottom, Drew Reese, the original TRD designer had another type of forage in mind. 

Take a few minutes and listen as Drew explains his reasons for designing the TRD and why he believes it’s the best Ned rig bait on the market…

Fall Wake Bait Secrets

As the leaves start to change color and the air turns crisp, it's time to break out the wake baits for some exciting fall bass fishing. Wake baits are excellent lures to use when bass are in a transitional feeding mode, not quite committing to topwaters but still feeding  for winter. 

Here are some tips for fishing wake baits in the fall:

- Choose wake baits in shad or baitfish patterns like silver/black, bone, perch or black/chartreuse. Select a pattern that matches the hatch with the forage species in your lake. Go with a smaller profile wake bait in the 2-3 inch size as the water continues to cool.

- Work wake baits over points, humps, grassy flats, and rocky banks; basically anywhere baitfish visit and get ambushed by hungry bass. Focus on wind-blown shorelines first since wind pushes plankton, baitfish follow and the bass do as well.

- Vary your retrieve speed to trigger reaction strikes. Sometimes a slow steady retrieve is best, other times working the wake bait quickly will get bit. Also try stopping it abruptly and letting the bait suspend motionless for a time and then continue the retrieve. 

- Try different rod angles on the retrieve. Holding the rod tip up makes the wake bait sputter side to side enticingly. Lowering the rod tip helps give it a tighter wobble. 

- Stay alert on the hookset. Bass will often swirl on a wake bait then actually eat it seconds later. Don't set too early so not to pull the bait away from them before they fully commit.

Wake baits are one of bass pro Edwin Ever's favorite fall lures, especially when bass are chasing baitfish such as shad. Take a few moments and watch as EE provides some great on the water insight and tips on his approach to using wake baits in the fall...

Wake baits can be a go-to lure for fall bass, especially when the bass are reluctant to eat a topwater bait. Follow these tips and you'll get exciting near-surface strikes when other anglers struggle to get bit on traditional topwaters.

Key Hack When Skipping Big Swimbaits Under Cover

You've heard the saying, "big baits, big bass" and there are many times when that definitely holds true. 

Over the last several years, more and more anglers are fishing big, pre-rigged swimbaits in hopes that they'll help prove out that very statement and one of the most popular pre-rigged swimbaits is Megabass' Magdraft...

Though often fished over grass covered flats and in areas with scattered cover, a simple hack can help turn the Magdraft into a deadly skipping bait for overhanging cover; definitely big bass territory!

Take a couple minutes and watch as bass pro Patrick Walters explains his simple Magdraft alteration that increases its effectiveness as a skipping tool when fishing docks and other overhanging cover...