I remember a while back a thread was started on soft jerkbaits for tuna. I started thinking, because I already had a proven bait in mind. I wanted to make a lure that was easy to rig, easy to lose, and had superior action and versatility as it relates to the water column. after a couple trial runs, here's what I came up with: the bait is a 10" Fin-S-Fish. available @ BPS for $8/3-pak. patterns available(w/ saltwater translations) Blue shad (mackerel ) Arkansas shiner(pinfish ) Rainbow trout (dorado ) Rigging: 1 gamakatsu 7/0 live bait hook 4" section of 140# Malin wire (haywire twist-both ends) 1 owner 200# solid ring 1 .5oz sliding sinker (optional) The blue bait is rigged w/ the sinker for sub surface & really adds to casting distance. sink rate on 65# braid is +/- 2fps the trout-flavored rig weighs around 2.5 oz and cast well repeatedly w/out damage or re-positioning of bait. I have used this rig sucessfully for Stripers, but upgraded from 150# mono/ crimps to 140# wire for fish with teeth. the action is unbeleivable! I won't be able to test these until the TFF trip in the fall, so tell me what you think & if you want me to make up a few for a upcoming trip, just LMK I need some real-world testing that's not just me. so yes your opinion matters thanks & tight lines -Brian
Brian if you want to make a couple for the trip on the scat cat next week I will give them a go. I have been wanting to get some "swim bait" or soft plastics to try. The ones I bought in the past are no where to be found now. All of the ones I see now, that are the right size, have thin hooks that would not hold up to tuna. Lemme know. I am sure a few others would try them also if they were available.
here's how i rigged the swim baits i bought. i also have some 10" fin-s-fish and sluggos, but i like these the best. i can't wait to try them. i need to get them into a swimming pool or something so i can see how they swim and make sure i weighted them correctly.
I will be going on a 36 hour trip with dolphin docks on the 21st... If I could get them by then, I would be more than happy to try them out. I could pay for shipping. Brent
I will be going on a 36 hour trip with dolphin docks on the 21st... If I could get them by then, I would be more than happy to try them out. I could pay for shipping. Brent I had great success with the RonZ, vertically-jigged last fall. RonZ Engineered Soft Baits
We've had good luck with various soft baits, sluggos, fin-s, white and arkansas shiner, 7 and 9 inch up north
