Friday, December 22, 2006

Finesse Wacky Jig!

This jig originates from Japan and so does the technique and application it is designed for, which kind of a shakey - wacky type fishing.

Buy this ProductZappu Inchi Wacky Jig Heads
The Japanese anglers are a very studious bunch. They are always working on new and creative techniques. The drop shotting technique that the Japanese introduced to America several years back has become a household term in bass fishing recently, and now the Japanese have created a new technique called INCHI WACKY or Jig Head Wacky. This technique has taken Japan by storm over the past 12 months and for good reason. Two Japanese Bass Pros, Takuma Hata of Zappu IncAndnd Toshiro Ono of Jackall Inc pioneered the craze.

As the name suggests, it's a very straightforward rig and easy to put into practice.

Benefits of the Rig
1. You can get more distance on the cast.

2. You can fish deeper areas.

3. The bait falls quicker.

4. You can keep in contact with the bottom easier.

5. Most importantly it creates a wicked irregular action that looks exactly like a real worm squirming in the water.


Why It Works
The Japanese anglers firmly believe that this irregular action has a very appealing, teasing action that bass cannot resist. Both Hato and Ono believe this bait is ideal for fishing deeper water and tougher conditions. Areas such as rock piles, drop offs and other vertical structure points are perfect situations where the Jig Head Wacky Rig will produce.

Japanese will always say that you have to have an image in your head of what you want the jighead and worm to be doing. The ideal image you want to see is the ball part of the jighead going flip flopping up and down and that's it. If the jighead is doing that, then the worm will be doing its thing. The great thing about this rig is that you can create so much action in the worm and the worm doesn't even have to be moved in at all. Otherwise saying you can keep the bait exactly where you want it to be and stay there.

The How To
In order to do this, there is a secret, and that is keeping a good amount of slack in the line. By keeping slack in the line you can shake your rod constantly to produce the wicked irregular action and still keep your bait exactly where you want it.

When fishing bottom structure you will want to cast out the Jig Head Wacky and let it free fall to the bottom. While the jig falls the weight from the jig head causes the worm to roll back and forth. After it hits the bottom you will want to shake it and continue to wind up slack and then free fall it back to the bottom. Remember that this is an exposed hook so this is not a deadsticking technique. Leave that type of fishing for your regular weightless wacky rig. The fish will often attack as the bait free falls after you shake it.

The Jig Head Wacky is also very effective on suspended fish in mid water. The key in working this bait is again the slack in the line. You will want to cast the line out and as you reach the area the fish are holding in you will want to slowly shake the bait and as you swim the jighead back in.

The Rigging & Tackle
Like with all techniques, the tackle you use plays a huge role in the outcome. The key to the Jig Head Wacky Rig is in the rigging. When rigging the worm, it's vital that you position the hook correctly by inserting the point of the hook in the middle of the worm and have it exit on a 90 degree from the insertion point. This is so the worm is fixed good and tight on the hook and it makes for a better irregular action. The Japanese have experimented with different hooks and have found that a V shape angled hook keeps the worm permanently fixed on the hook. The most commonly used jig head weights are 1/32oz to 1/16oz but vary upon the size of the worm and the depth at which being fished.

When using the Jig Head Wacky Rig, the Japanese anglers like to use fast tapered rods that are rated light to ultra light. A popular length in Japan is 6 foot because they feel it's easier to handle lighter worms with a shorter stick. 4-pound fluorocarbon line on a spinning reel is also the choice for many Japanese anglers who have mastered the Jig Head Wacky Rig. When working the rod, it is vital to keep a good rhythm and a constant up and down speed in a 10-11 o'clock positioning. Recently pro anglers are even using a 3/8-1/2 oz football shaped jig around heavy rock area and have said that slowly dragging the bottom is also very effective. The most popular used worm styles for Jig Head Wacky consists of Zoom's swamp crawler, Jackall's Flick Shake, Gary Yamamoto Cut Tail, Optimum Bait's Twin Teaser, and Berkley Gulp! 5'' Wacky Japanese Crawler.
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Here is a video of me & buddy catching some nice smallmouth bass on this technique!


HellaBass
RichLindgren.com

Bassin' Blog
Rich's Bass Fishing Forum

Friday, December 15, 2006

Bass Fishing with Beaver Baits

I am sure many of you have found out how great Reaction Innovations Sweet Beavers can be... On the other hand they can be kind of pricey and they tear up somewhat easy. So here is a list of similar style baits by other manufacturers, some you may know, some you may not. They are all a little different and will catch Bass ;)
Buy this ProductGambler Ugly Otter


Buy this ProductCulprit Water Beetle


Buy this ProductBerkley PowerBait Beast





Buy this ProductRoboworm Sour Puss




Buy this ProductVenom Sweet Dreams


Buy this ProductYum Wooly Bug




And there are many more, so try some of these baits and see how they stack up against the original.

HellaBass
www.RichLindgren.com

Bassin' Blog
Rich's Bass Fishing Forum

Sunday, December 10, 2006

New Innovative Gamakatsu Hook Design

Buy this ProductGamakatsu Skip Gap Hook
The new Skip Gap Hook from Gamakatsu is the hook every dock skippin’ Bass angler has been waiting for. Many soft plastics will slide off of the offset or simply come off when thrown hard against the water in an attempt to skip it under a dock. This is especially true on really hot days when the plastic can get extra soft. This unique patent pending hook is designed to hold soft plastics firmly in place so that no matter how hard you throw it, the plastic bait stays put. Unlike other hooks that have attempted to do the same thing, there is no special rigging required for this hook. Simply Texas rig it like any other wide gap style hook and it’s ready to go. The wide gap is built to handle thicker baits like tubes, but is also ideal for stick type baits and regular soft plastic worms. Sizes: 1/0 – 5/0.


HellaBass
www.RichLindgren.com

Bassin' Blog
Rich's Bass Fishing Forum

Thursday, December 07, 2006

KVD DVD 3pk for only $7.46!!!


Check this out! Go to Basspro.com and search for 'VanDam DVD' it is a Christmas Special, what a fantastic deal.

Fish like a pro with some helpful insight from Kevin VanDam, the two-time
Bassmaster Classic Champion and three-time B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year! This DVD
Set includes three popular VanDam videos: ''Proven Spinnerbait Techniques,''
''Changing Conditions'' and ''Pitchin' to Heavy Hitters.''
VanDam reveals
his proven and tournament winning techniques in these Bass Pro Shops exclusive
videos. Each DVD is loaded with essential tricks and tips that have helped make
VanDam one of the sport's most popular and successful anglers. 158 minutes.
A terrific addition to any fisherman's video library!

Its a great set of DVD's I bought them at BassPro earlier this year at full price.

HellaBass
www.RichLindgren.com

Bassin' Blog
Rich's Bass Fishing Forum

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

The Buzz!

Check out Tru-Tungsten's New Elite Series Buzzbait, it looks Killer!
Tru-Tungsten Buzzbait - Elite Series - Baby Bass Tru-Tungsten® Buzzbaits are designed by Larry Niixon with an extremely low profile, allowing for incredible action and feel. Super-sharp Black Nickel Hooks are used, and the Hydro-Silk high-tech polymer skirt not only floats in the water with incredible life-like action, but also holds a scent and will not melt.
Adjustable for clacker or commotion action for louder or more subtle sound
Planes at any retrieve speed
A Duraseal™ coating is applied for a colorfast, ultra-smooth finish
Spring-tempered piano wire for extra vibration
Joint technology makes for more hook sets
Flexible collar for jointed hook ensures hook tracking and stabilization
Free Bleeding Bait Hooks™ trailer hook
Hand-painted
25% longer and more accurate casting

Click on Image for more details! What a perfect stocking stuffer for yourself or your favortie bass nut ;)
HellaBass
www.RichLindgren.com

Bassin' Blog
Rich's Bass Fishing Forum