Best way to rig a Zoom Centipede

[Ranger Z22]

Also flat side down most of the time, on a shaky head.  very seldom flat side up.

12lb or less floro line, I like this setup better than the C-Rig.

 

z22

[cbass12]

On a shakyhead with the flat side down. 

This ^^^  I used to fish nothing but a centipede on a split shot rig when I was younger. Thousands of bass were caught when I was in high school and college on nothing but that rig. A certain color still produces to this day, but has been harder to find lately. Green with some sparkles.

[dtrs5kprs]

I have fished the Zoom Centipede and Fish Doctor for a lot of years.

Usually green pumpkin or gr pumpkin w/red flake.

Most often on a split-shot rig in 20' or less, with the split-shot 12-15" up the line.

I don't disagree with anything that's been said, but I take a different approach.

I'll hook it from the side so that the ridges are on one side of the hook and the flat side on the other.

I rig it Texas style, put the hook (Gammy 1/0 rnd bend) all the way thru the bait and then skin-hook the point on the other side.

The line twist will happen, but I think it actually helps sometimes? As the the bait falls and glides, it will actually turn over from flat side to ridge side, which gives it a nice darting action.

I think on a C-rig with a large sinker and an 18" or longer leader, riggin it flat side down might be better, as it may give it a slower fall?

In the end, I'm not sure if it really matters all that much on which way you hook it?

 

 

Hooking it like this with the actual top and bottom horizontal really changes the way it falls. One of those little things that works.

[Old plug]

I had to look up a picture of them to see what they were. I remember using something like that years ago we called them French Fry. I did not even know they still sold them. I am not a shopper. I go in zoned in. I can be in and out of Pro Bass in Springfield in about 15 minutes. I will look next time I go they look like something might be a good alternat to sinko to me form the pictures. 

[gitnby]

forgot to mention that especially with the water color we have now, I LOVE to dip the tails on the green pumpkin about a 1/4" or so in chartreuse dye.

 

[Mitch f]

forgot to mention that especially with the water color we have now, I LOVE to dip the tails on the green pumpkin about a 1/4" or so in chartreuse dye.

 

now why on earth would you do that? ??

[Sore Thumbs]

Use it for drop shot too. That's for you Champ. I'm addicted. Ha

[1farmer]

Use it for drop shot too. That's for you Champ. I'm addicted. Ha

Just tried it in cement pond on 3/16 oz shaky head, flat side up or down it took between 4 and 5 seconds to get to bottom, regardless of which way, rigged on side like gitnby rigs his took an additional 1 to 2 seconds to fall the same amount as it swims to the bottom hooked this way.

[fishinwrench]

OK I'll spill it     

Stick two of them together (flat to flat with a cig lighter) and rig it sideways.    

Sick !

[gitnby]

Just tried it in cement pond on 3/16 oz shaky head, flat side up or down it took between 4 and 5 seconds to get to bottom, regardless of which way, rigged on side like gitnby rigs his took an additional 1 to 2 seconds to fall the same amount as it swims to the bottom hooked this way.

Interesting! I rarely fish it on a shakey head, but it does seem the hits happen on the initial fall?

The real key is that on a split shot or C-rig, as you drag it , the weight bounces and bumps which imparts action to the bait and causes it to 'swim' up a bit. Then, as it settles back down, that's when I get the most bites.  Makes sense that the slower fall at that point will get more bites?