Big M, Friday

[Quillback]

The numbers game was back on today. Mainly catching fish off points and a few rocky ledges. The fish were a little deeper today, most coming from 10-20 FOW. I caught 6 or 7 on a Menace Grub/Swing jig, and close to 40 on the 1/8 oz PBJ Ned. Don't know exactly how many keeper sized, but probably 12-15. Nothing over 3 lbs. Mostly spots, maybe 10 LM's and one smallie.

Really paid to bounce points today, whether they were gravel, rock, or rock/timber. If they are there, usually you'll get one within the first 5 casts. And if you get one, there are more there. Keep fishing until the bites stop.

Spent some time talking to Bo from Nutech a while back about Texas rigging. Took some of his advice and used it on some swing jig modifications. I clipped the EWG hooks off some of my swing jigs, added a split ring, and attached a 60 degree 3/0 Mustad jig hook. I add a hitchhiker to the hook eye, twist the Menace Grub onto the hitchhiker, then Texpose the hook point. When you get a bite, this prevents the fish from pulling the plastic down onto the hook bend and, at least today, gave me a much better hook up ratio than I was having using an EWG. Didn't catch a lot of Menace Grub fish today, but what bites I got, I converted to fish in the boat (still missed a couple, but it was better than I was doing earlier this week).

Best bite was from 11 AM to 2 PM. Lots of boats out there today, I think tomorrow if you plan on fishing you'd better bring your own brush pile.

Surface temps 57-59. water is murky but very fishable.

[Hammer time]

Thanks for the super detailed report and great job! You are always sharing your knowledge and I learn tons from your posts. You Always seem to figure them out, your a great fisherman!

[dtrs5kprs]

Nice tip on the swing head, and a good way to rehab ones with worn out hooks. Have some little VMC's that would be super for that.

[Macsimus]

Great report Jeff. Sounds like you're dialed in!

[Flippin]

HPIM0837.JPG

Spent some time talking to Bo from Nutech a while back about Texas rigging. Took some of his advice and used it on some swing jig modifications. I clipped the EWG hooks off some of my swing jigs, added a split ring, and attached a 60 degree 3/0 Mustad jig hook. I add a hitchhiker to the hook eye, twist the Menace Grub onto the hitchhiker, then Texpose the hook point. When you get a bite, this prevents the fish from pulling the plastic down onto the hook bend and, at least today, gave me a much better hook up ratio than I was having using an EWG. Didn't catch a lot of Menace Grub fish today, but what bites I got, I converted to fish in the boat (still missed a couple, but it was better than I was doing earlier this week).

What is a hitchhiker?

[Quillback]

What is a hitchhiker?

Here's an example:

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Do-it_Hitching_Post_25pk/descpage-DOITHPS.html

[Quillback]

Thanks for the super detailed report and great job! You are always sharing your knowledge and I learn tons from your posts. You Always seem to figure them out, your a great fisherman!

Thanks for the compliment, but I have had lots of help from some of the folks on this forum. Like you, I have learned a lot here.

[JacobW]

One thing I did when I started making my swing heads was pour them with a bigger hook. When rigged on the menace grub the 4/0 gammy ends right above the two paddle tails. If they strike short or mouth it or sometime I think they are trying to kill it first before they eat it, I get a better hook up.

[merc1997 Bo]

what a great day of catching quill. i can tell you that getting bit and having bass tugging on your line makes for an enjoyable day. i think bass will be found a bit deeper for another week or so, and then we will begin to see more of them up cruising.

bo

glad you tried the hook change. it really does make a big difference in hook ups, and consistently hooking more in the roof of the mouth.

[dtrs5kprs]

Think that bait may also be one that benefits from a bit more moderate rod. Has been best for me using a St Croix 7' that is sold as a spinnerbait rod. Not as fast as the similar rod I use for pitching and big c-rigs.