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.