Red Fin & Bomber Long A

[dtrs5kprs]

$30'if it really worked wouldn't be too bad. You can apparently buy as much as you want for lures. Several multi hundred dollar lures on the market now.

For $30 the crazy bee will run the way we all want them to. Don't forget the jointed jitterbug that was hot a couple of years ago.

[inshore]

i like them on 20# power pro with a couple of feet of 15 to 20# leader. use a loop knot. as noted by other guys some lead in front of joint and unlike other guys I use a heavy #2 vmc hook on back smaller lighter hook on front. keep rod tip high and drop as you get closer to boat. at times it is a great bait and will smoke any other top waters and at times it sucks.

[Fish24/7]

That is the big question - do they work? It looks like it should.

I guarantee anything made by Bill Siemantel catches bass, he's an awesome lure maker, one of my idols.

there's several youtube videos of him fishing/talking the rat

[merc1997 Bo]

Short version:

1) Remove the factory hooks and rings and throw away

2) Replace with lighter rings and hooks- I use a size 4 EWG up front, and a feathered EWG #2 on the back. The deathtrap hooks are probably more popular yet, but I have a ton of Gammies on hand.

3) Add a little weight to the belly at the rear of the front half (behind the front hook, right at the back of that section)- strips or dots. Usually two dots is pretty close for me.

4) Use a snap or light ring at the nose.

5) Throw it on braid! Discovered this accidentally when I set up spinning and spincast rods for the kids for redfins. Braid drags and helps keep it up. Power Pro 50# has been the best, but 30# throws better/farther. Braid has rescued a couple from the trash bin for me, and hookups are outstanding. I may have even thrown one on a spincast reel myself a few times because it is so darn easy, and the slow retrieve prevents over winding.

All you need are smokey joe and chrome/whatever. Throw, wind, repeat.

all pretty much right on the spot. the split rings in the old original ones that i still use were causing most of the problem because they are too big for the hook hanger hole. thinner split rings cures that issue. replace the split ring tie on with a snap. as stated, braid works great.

one other tip is to learn to start with a high rod angle at the beginning of the cast, and it can be lowered as the bait get closer to the boat. one of my retired buddies at emerald beach is deadly with the thing.

bo

[abkeenan]

Pretty sure this is going to make it's way into my tackle box very very soon.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Jackall_Gantarel/descpage-JGAN.html#multiview

[Quillback]

The feathered trebles on it seem a bit weird.

[tapout]

Mann's 1 minus does work as a wake. Not the quality or quantity of fish as a redfin, but it works.

[Fish24/7]

The feathered trebles on it seem a bit weird.

that is how you get a modified floating rogue to wake similar to an A or Fin

if anyone wants to know how to do it send me a pm

[Bill Babler]

Have you all looked at the Spro Rat? Watched a video of K's just killing it. Very interesting. Some of those friggin Rat baits are $100.00. Have not looked up the price of the Spro, but it may be fun to mess with.

Couple of points here, Bo and Dave made them both. Fish it on braid. Buy several and really don't tinker with them a ton. Put the smallest split ring on there you can find and make sure it does not say Bass Pro on the pack. Use good Owner, Spro, or Gamey rings or any other really good brand. Really I'm not bashing, just stating a fact on the rings. I will rehook it with either 4's or 5's, with a feathered hook on the back. Sometimes on the feathered hook, sometimes not. I have had them completely not want that feather and visa/versa.

Bo told you how to fish it correctly. Start slowly with your rod tip elevated, as the bait begins to come closer start lowering your tip and at that time you may increase the speed if you wish, till it comes slithering back to the boat. Always position your rod directly over the bait as if you are going to fire a shot right over its back. Don't try and drag is sideways or fish your rod at an angle or it will turn on its side and skate. Don't try and move the boat while you are winding it or it will try and follow you no matter if only a foot or two sideways it will again fall over and skate.

Do what has been posted here and hang on.

Dave also pointed out that the broken back Jitterbug is a good alternative and he is really correct. The only problem I have had with the bug, both the broken back and the small bug is that it is a fish killer. They swallow that blasted thing and it gets in their gills way, way to often. If you jerk it to quick they are gone if you wait it is gone. Be careful with the jitterbug.

When setting the hook on the fin, if you are using death traps or any chemically sharpened hook, as the fish disappears with the bait just lower the rod and start winding. Do not rare back, as Dave said just wind him in.

Good Luck

[Guest]

For $30 the crazy bee will run the way we all want them to. Don't forget the jointed jitterbug that was hot a couple of years ago.

The crazy Bee & rat have more similarities than I thought.

Both are big ole heavy baits, but I like the spinner on the Crazy Bee.

The rat comes in "morning dawn" which looks like table rock shad & Bill is killing them in gin clear water out west.

I don't mind spending $37 on the right lure versus buying 10 of the $5 baits & only 2 of the 10 runs right.