Wiggle Wart Advice

[Bassmeister]

Last spring was my first time catching the wiggle wart bug. I have the basics down but could use some expertise in the area. I know this isn't the time of year for it, but I'd rather talk about wiggle warts than go outside and throw a drop shot all day!!!!

First, I have some pre-rap WWs I need to have painted. Does anyone have suggestions on who to send them to and what the cost typically is? Also, maybe this is a secret, but what are the best colors for Beaver and Table Rock? Even custom colors that aren't the standards from the old WWs.  

Also, I know Predator makes some KO blanks. Are these generally thought of as being the best? If so, what do they usually cost? I saw some KOs already painted on ebay from River Rat and didn't know if anyone had an opinion of them. 

Lastly, line. I used 10lb FC last year and really didn't like it. Didn't hold up as well as Yo-Zuri Hybrid. I'm thinking of setting up my rods with 8LB Hybrid. Has anyone gone that light or would 10LB be the minimum? Or am I really going to be missing some bites using a line that's a bit less sensitive. 

Any "advanced" tips you all can offer would be greatly appreciated. Hopefully I can add some input in the future. 

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, Bassmeister said:

but I'd rather talk about wiggle warts than go outside and throw a drop shot all day!!!!

No kidding! 

For me the Wiggle Wart bite is pretty short. About 2 weeks during the middle of Spring, pecking it along clean Rocky bottoms from the shoreline out to 6-7'.  

There are obviously other niche's for it that produce good, but that's the only time throughout the year that I rely heavily on it.   I could actually get by with only one color pattern....Old School Brown Craw with the red belly.  

[Basfis]

I’m a natural red and natural green fan in spring. Old school brown and brown chart in fall. Maybe a phantom green if it’s really really really clear in spring. Wind and clouds a little shallower  

Bite seems to me to be just deeper than you can see which dictates line size for me. I refuse to bottom grind with less than 10. Too much lake to fuss with line that light and a bait worth over $30. Seguar invisx 10 a lot 12 some. Move to find color  

Algae kills crankbait fishing way too often. 😡

[Bassmeister]

Yeah the moss is a pain at Table Rock in late winter/early spring. Seems to be less of a problem at Beaver. 8# Hybrid is pretty thick so that’s why I was asking about it. Wouldn’t think of using 8lb FC as I agree it’s not enough...esp around wood. 

[Bushbeater]

http://www.hughescustombaits.com/

Get a hold of Tim about painting needs. He goes by Hughesy on this forum.

[Bassmeister]

Awesome, I’ve seen his website before. I thought he did some colors for Storm and Bass Pro. I didn’t know he did custom colors outside those. Thanks, I’ll see what I can get done. Any tips on the KO blanks? Predator seems good but wanting to hear if anyone else has ideas. Some of these look like art. It’s kind of addicting. 

[Quillback]

I second Tim Hughes as a custom painter.  I like his "Missouri Craw" pattern on a WW.  

[Lvn2Fish]

The predator baits are fine . You will have to tune them if you’re painting them . I think I remember paying around 2 bucks a piece for the blanks. But after you put hardware and hooks on you’re about the price of the storm original wiggle wart . Both of these baits are supposed to be designed from the pre rapalas. 

10 lb Floro line is usually my go to . I’ve been know to go down to 8 if I think I need the bait to run a bit deeper . The rod you choose to fish the wart on has a huge impact on being a successful wart fisherman. I have one gloomis bronzeback that’s 6’9 medium action. The thing is like a whip. That flimsy rod lets the fish take the bait without feeling any resistance. It also allows the bait to get to the bottom and hunt without hanging up. And remember you better be grinding the lip off that bait or you’re not fishing it right. Some days you can really burn it , others it’s a slow crawl. 

[Lvn2Fish]

Tim Hughes is a legend when it comes to painting a bait. You will not be disappointed 

[rps]

Stick with the Yo Zuri Hybrid 8 or 10 pound test for line. For cranking, the only other alternative, IMHO, would be Maxima.

For rods, I build from Mudhole MHX blanks, but the other good alternative would be to wait for Bill Babler's annual Falcon sale where he sells what he has used with his customers for the last year. PM him to ask what and when he might have available.

When I want a repaint, I use Tim Hughes. No one can compete with him for TR baits.

As wrench says, the WW bite is brief, 2 to 4 weeks, but many of us consider it the best style/pattern/period of the year.