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Hiroshima 8.5" Soft Tail Field Testing Notes - Oct. 24-26

For educational purposes

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Comment by Tag Watson on November 15, 2014 at 6:05am
Great point, John. I use Indian clubs 3-4 times a week and before a fishing outing to keep my shoulders in good health. Indian clubs are an incredible tool for shoulder mobility, strength and injury prevention or rehabilitation.
Comment by Russ Kroeker on October 31, 2014 at 9:13am

Great stuff for my toolbox.  Thanks Tag.  Even after a lifetime of fishing knowledge gathering, there is always more to be had.

Comment by Tag Watson on October 31, 2014 at 8:32am

Thanks for the great dialog and discussion, guys. 

Comment by Tag Watson on October 31, 2014 at 6:46am
Hey Stevens,

I have thrown the Triple Trout a lot in the past and I agree that fouling is pretty much a non-issue. In my post I mentioned they have the potential to tangle because anything is possible with enough slack. Multi joint baits will foul exponentially less than glide baits in my experience. Megabass has a new iSlide glide bait with patent pending magnets to keep the trebles flush to the belly which should prevent fouling. This bait can do a full 360 degree turn. Should be a good one to check out.

Which size Triple Trout(s) are you throwing? For the smaller models (6 inch and 7 inch), I treat it almost like a jerkbait, crankbait, trap or spinnerbait for smallmouth, where I prefer straight fluoro to get maximum stretch. For bigger, heavier swimbaits. I like the braid to fluoro leader for a few reasons: I can cast further, I have more imparted lure action responsiveness due to lack of stretch, I have better sensitivity to tell exactly what my bait is doing, I have better hooking power and penetration at the end of a long cast and I still have some nice stretch to prevent pulling out hooks with the long length of fluoro leader material (much more stretch/elongation than fluoro mainline).

Line is always a preference thing, no right or wrong necessarily. There are typically some advantages and disadvantages to all options, so I just try to pick the system that's best for me with a given technique or lure.
Comment by stevens on October 31, 2014 at 1:19am

my question is Tag why go with the braid and the fluorocarbon leader? When I throw a triple trout prefer 16 to 20 lb mono depending on size of bait. This is one of the rare times I don't use braid or fluoro. I like the stretch in the line for the simple fact it's harder for the fish to throw the troubles and Don't seem to have a tangle issue when I make it turn. Not much experience with two piece glide baits so just curious

Comment by Tag Watson on October 30, 2014 at 12:52pm

Hi Russ,

 

Keep in mind that the action on two piece glide baits is completely different than multi-jointed baits like the Kong or Triple Trout.  But yes, both certainly have the potential to tangle while making them turn around.  Just apples to oranges on the action and retrieve logistics.

 

Regarding stock hooks and hardware, I suggest always changing out the split rings and stock hooks on your swimbaits, unless of course they come with premium components (very rare).  This goes for brand new baits as well.  I recommend Owner Hyperwire split rings and premium hooks, at least 2X strong.  On bigger swimbaits, I personally use Owner ST-56 3X trebles and Decoy Quads.  Gamakatsu, VMC, Owner and Decoy all make good hooks, and some models up to 4X.  For smaller swimbaits and lighter tackle, a 1X hook like an Owner ST-36 or Gamakatsu 2X round bend is just fine.

 

I like the Decoy Quad hooks for smallmouth for two reasons:  The additional weight helps sink the bait out a little more and I feel the additional hook point gives a better hooking opportunity since smallmouth have a tendency to slash at baits, in addition to their smaller mouths posing an issue.  For largemouth, I am not married to the Quad hook and would have just as much confidence with a 3X or 4X treble.

 

The strong, sticky sharp Quad hook still does not ensure you're going to land every smallmouth you hook or that bites.  Unfortunately, I lost the biggest smallmouth I've ever seen right at the boat last weekend.  I got it in fairly quickly with the heavy tackle and it was still pretty hot, making one last tail walking head shake, throwing my bait while barely out of reach of the net.  Looked to be hooked outside the mouth before coming unbuttoned.  That's the risk as it's going to happen occasionally with smallmouth (and largemouth) hooked on big baits.

 

Thanks again for the inquiry!

Comment by Russ Kroeker on October 30, 2014 at 10:28am

Good.  Then I'm mostly doing it right.  I throw my Sinking Kong bait alot, but tend to catch most all my fish just below the surface.  As you know, that bait will tangle big if you pop it..  Another question...why the Quad hook?  Extra weight?  I broke a stock hook on pig last month, do you have a suggestion for my little Kong?  I'm currently trying some VMC hooks that Butch Brown uses, but they seem...sorta wimpy for a main hook.  Thx.  RK

Comment by Tag Watson on October 30, 2014 at 9:52am
Hi Jeff,

With the 1/0 Decoy Quad hooks (a little additional weight), my 8.5" soft tail bait has a rate of fall of approximately ROF 7 (7 feet every 10 seconds).

Russ,

When I do my reel pops, I do not throw slack to my bait to make it turnaround 180 degrees, as this can cause the bait to foul on the line (particularly with the Quad hooks). Rather, I try to maintain a taut line (controlled slack) in order to allow the bait to achieve maximum glide without fouling. With practice, you will be able to tell what the bait is doing by the feel on your line. I believe the braid mainline helps with the sensitivity. I'm far from mastering the bait but I learn a little more each time I throw it.

Thanks for the questions, guys!
Comment by Russ Kroeker on October 30, 2014 at 8:54am

Tag, does this bait turn around when you pop it?  Or follow the line?  Or drift where ever it wants?  Thx.  RK

Comment by Jeff Fancher on October 29, 2014 at 4:34pm
I have yet to throw mine. What is the rate of sinking for the one you are throwing?

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