Purchased some Hot-n-Tot Madflash by Storm

[LoweSTX175]

I purchased a handful of Hot-n-Tots yesterday on the way home from work at Cabela's.   I was wondering if anyone trolls these around the lake and knew any precision trolling techniques (speed, amount of line out, depths) that they run.  For some reason I decided I should start getting ready for spring fishing right now.  I had the urge to have another "tool" in the box to present on the days when other things don't seem to be working.

Anybody have any reviews/complaints/praises for the Hot-n-Tot?

[Hammer time]

46 minutes ago, LoweSTX175 said:

I purchased a handful of Hot-n-Tots yesterday on the way home from work at Cabela's.   I was wondering if anyone trolls these around the lake and knew any precision trolling techniques (speed, amount of line out, depths) that they run.  For some reason I decided I should start getting ready for spring fishing right now.  I had the urge to have another "tool" in the box to present on the days when other things don't seem to be working.

Anybody have any reviews/complaints/praises for the Hot-n-Tot?

I'm nota triller, but I can add this old crawdad colored tots with the metal bill can load the boat with bass! The metal bill banging the bottom makes a unique sound that sometimes really works!

[wtr dogs]

Hot nTots were a favorite around upper Bull Shoals a year ago/ Silver I think/

You didn't happen to get pink or purple.

[kjackson]

Hot n Tots are great baits--the second largest walleye--13-5-- I've netted was taken on one.  I've not fished the new ones, but the pre-Rapala Tots will run deeper than you might expect. I pulled the smallest a bit last spring and was hitting in the mid teens for depth with 125 feet out. I don't recall what the mid-size or large ones run, but it is deep.

I've not pulled the Rapala versions, so I can't respond there, but that is next on the list.

[rps]

3/8 ounce madflash Hot'N'Tot (a fantastic walleye bait in my opinion, but even better in the original series)

10/4 braid line, feet of line in the water:

Depth   Line Out

10       27

15       50

20      90

25      134

30      200 This is the limit

[mjk86]

They are effective for sure.  When I need to go deeper than 20 (I've maxed out at 26-27ft with 190ft 15/4 depth hunter) ft I'll use a hot n tot, mag wart or reef runner.  Very wide wobble aggressive and erratic bait.  They have never out fished a flicker shad for me but get deeper without lead.  I Agree with above...my best day with a hot j tot came at Stockton trolling the gravel flats around the dam ticking the bottom with a crawfish colored one.

[dan hufferd]

I will be buying these too. It seems like someone posted some success with these last spring. Also I think the tots were less $ than many other cranks.

Berkley has some new lipless crank bait for this year. I have to admit I have not explored this technique much.  It seems like a guy should be able to slow troll, jig, or cast / retrieve. I bought some I guess I will go back for some tots.

Lord will'n my son and I will be on Stockton looking for the big walleye, probably in the cold rain. (look for the video).

[rps]

Storm baits are generally cheaper than anything except flicker shads. The correct sizes of Hot'n'Tots, Wiggle Warts, Mag Warts, and Thundercranks will cover all the trolling situations you may ever encounter. I have not fished their Smash Shad, but I would guess it is excellent.

[nomolites]

The smash shad is an excellent bait; displaces a bit more water than a flicker shad and happily runs down to 15-18 feet at 80 to 130 back on 10/2 braid.  I have had best success with them before water temps top 60 and run them along with thunder cranks in March and April - in warmer water I prefer a flicker shad's tighter action for more bites.

Mike

[dan hufferd]

The # 9 flicker minnow will go 24 ' but I have not caught much on it, I have done well with the 7