5-26-19 Table Rock Lake/Lampe Mo,. Report

Advanced anglers know this but for the benefit of all levels, the first thing to do when preparing a Redfin is to remove all of the existing split rings and hooks and toss them. They aren't worth saving for anything.

Next, I turn the bait over and wipe the rear belly area of the main section with an alcohol to make sure it's clean. Then I take two SuspenStrips and lay them on either side of the molding seam, touching and ending precisely at the tail -- not lapping over into the joint area. I press them down as well as possible, then take two SuspenDots and center them over the seam where the two strips are touching. The reason for weighting the rear area of the main body like this is to raise the nose of the bait when it sits in the water, therefore encouraging it to wake on the surface rather than dive. 

After I get my strips and dots in place, I paint over them with pearl-colored nail polish. This not only makes the bait look better,  but most importantly keeps you strips/dots from peeling off. Might have to reapply the nail polish from time to time but it's worth the effort. For the record, the pearl polish is for the Smoky Joe colored Fin. The only other color I throw is blue back/chrome and you can use clear nail polish to seal your strips/dots on it. 

I'm not 100% sure of the size of split rings I use … but I think No. 3. Just be sure they are thin enough to work freely within the line tie and the hook hangers. My favorite hook combination is a Gammy EWG No. 2  the front (you can open the bends a bit if you wish) and the same hook on the back with hand-tied chicken feathers. I don't like the Gammy pre-tied feather hooks but the Mustad Ultra Point KVD hook with white feathers works good in No. 2 size. 

Lastly, I always throw the bait on top-quality 17-pound mono. I've tried 20 but my personal favorite is 17 pound. I haven't tried braid and have no reason to do so. Obviously, you guys can try anything you want. This is just my system.

Lastly, I always use a snap to connect to the split ring on front of the lure. That way, I get complete freedom for the bait to wobble and wake. 

I've been on the couch for a very long week with lower back issues so I didn't bother with step by step pics, but here's one of a finished version. 

Thanks for putting that up! Interesting concept of actually adding weight to change it’s action. Have you tried sanding the front to lighten it like they used to do to pop r’s? Of course that adds more work with repainting etc

3 hours ago, Champ188 said:

Advanced anglers know this but for the benefit of all levels, the first thing to do when preparing a Redfin is to remove all of the existing split rings and hooks and toss them. They aren't worth saving for anything.

Next, I turn the bait over and wipe the rear belly area of the main section with an alcohol to make sure it's clean. Then I take two SuspenStrips and lay them on either side of the molding seam, touching and ending precisely at the tail -- not lapping over into the joint area. I press them down as well as possible, then take two SuspenDots and center them over the seam where the two strips are touching. The reason for weighting the rear area of the main body like this is to raise the nose of the bait when it sits in the water, therefore encouraging it to wake on the surface rather than dive. 

After I get my strips and dots in place, I paint over them with pearl-colored nail polish. This not only makes the bait look better,  but most importantly keeps you strips/dots from peeling off. Might have to reapply the nail polish from time to time but it's worth the effort. For the record, the pearl polish is for the Smoky Joe colored Fin. The only other color I throw is blue back/chrome and you can use clear nail polish to seal your strips/dots on it. 

I'm not 100% sure of the size of split rings I use … but I think No. 3. Just be sure they are thin enough to work freely within the line tie and the hook hangers. My favorite hook combination is a Gammy EWG No. 2  the front (you can open the bends a bit if you wish) and the same hook on the back with hand-tied chicken feathers. I don't like the Gammy pre-tied feather hooks but the Mustad Ultra Point KVD hook with white feathers works good in No. 2 size. 

Lastly, I always throw the bait on top-quality 17-pound mono. I've tried 20 but my personal favorite is 17 pound. I haven't tried braid and have no reason to do so. Obviously, you guys can try anything you want. This is just my system.

Lastly, I always use a snap to connect to the split ring on front of the lure. That way, I get complete freedom for the bait to wobble and wake. 

I've been on the couch for a very long week with lower back issues so I didn't bother with step by step pics, but here's one of a finished version. 

 

Nice write up Champ. I don't do the lake much anymore but I think I'll show one of these to a river smallie.

On 6/7/2019 at 11:27 AM, Champ188 said:

 

I've been on the couch for a very long week with lower back issues so I didn't bother with step by step pics, but here's one of a finished version. 

 

I think the feller is on too many pain meds.  He's made these for folks no-charge, but giving y'all the recipe?  Feel honored.

 

Thanks Champ I'm going to try this. A lot of people wouldn't share that.

I'm sure there are other ways to make a Fin run right but this works for me. If it saves you guys buying a few extra baits or helps you catch a few more fish, then that's what this forum is about.

Just remember … you can only eat em once! 

 

Champ was kind enough to "gift" me one of his doctored Fin's a few years back after I had all of the tackle stolen out of my boat and I gotta say that it's the coolest looking bait I've ever seen.

I'm telling you, the way that thing moves through the water is downright mesmerizing.

However, considering the circumstances, that bait is such a cherished item that, while it's always tied on, I very seldom throw it as I'm absolutely terrified of losing it!  

Every time a fish grabs it I about have a heart attack for fear of the line breaking or it getting wrapped around a tree and I just can't handle the stress!

Thanks again for such a wonderful gesture Champ!

Quote

 

Thank you very much Champ.   Hope the back gets better soon.   

1 hour ago, vernon said:

Champ was kind enough to "gift" me one of his doctored Fin's a few years back after I had all of the tackle stolen out of my boat and I gotta say that it's the coolest looking bait I've ever seen.

I'm telling you, the way that thing moves through the water is downright mesmerizing.

However, considering the circumstances, that bait is such a cherished item that, while it's always tied on, I very seldom throw it as I'm absolutely terrified of losing it!  

Every time a fish grabs it I about have a heart attack for fear of the line breaking or it getting wrapped around a tree and I just can't handle the stress!

Thanks again for such a wonderful gesture Champ!

You’re much welcome, my friend.

On 6/7/2019 at 11:27 AM, Champ188 said:

Advanced anglers know this but for the benefit of all levels, the first thing to do when preparing a Redfin is to remove all of the existing split rings and hooks and toss them. They aren't worth saving for anything.

Next, I turn the bait over and wipe the rear belly area of the main section with an alcohol to make sure it's clean. Then I take two SuspenStrips and lay them on either side of the molding seam, touching and ending precisely at the tail -- not lapping over into the joint area. I press them down as well as possible, then take two SuspenDots and center them over the seam where the two strips are touching. The reason for weighting the rear area of the main body like this is to raise the nose of the bait when it sits in the water, therefore encouraging it to wake on the surface rather than dive. 

After I get my strips and dots in place, I paint over them with pearl-colored nail polish. This not only makes the bait look better,  but most importantly keeps you strips/dots from peeling off. Might have to reapply the nail polish from time to time but it's worth the effort. For the record, the pearl polish is for the Smoky Joe colored Fin. The only other color I throw is blue back/chrome and you can use clear nail polish to seal your strips/dots on it. 

I'm not 100% sure of the size of split rings I use … but I think No. 3. Just be sure they are thin enough to work freely within the line tie and the hook hangers. My favorite hook combination is a Gammy EWG No. 2  the front (you can open the bends a bit if you wish) and the same hook on the back with hand-tied chicken feathers. I don't like the Gammy pre-tied feather hooks but the Mustad Ultra Point KVD hook with white feathers works good in No. 2 size. 

Lastly, I always throw the bait on top-quality 17-pound mono. I've tried 20 but my personal favorite is 17 pound. I haven't tried braid and have no reason to do so. Obviously, you guys can try anything you want. This is just my system.

Lastly, I always use a snap to connect to the split ring on front of the lure. That way, I get complete freedom for the bait to wobble and wake. 

I've been on the couch for a very long week with lower back issues so I didn't bother with step by step pics, but here's one of a finished version. 

This is one of those "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day...teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime (not Bass)....win the lottery and he has someone fish for him" 😊

Well done Champ - Now I have to figure out if one of these fin things will work in these 'ole Nebraska ponds!!

C4F