danthefisherman Posted December 7, 2017 Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 I was recently watching a video by Matt Allen and he explained that he never throws hard gill baits with fins because the bass have a hard time eating them. In theory, hard fins on bluegill baits (which are already a difficult profile to swallow) make it even harder for the fish to reach the hooks and stay pinned. A bait without fins like a Bullshad Bull Gill would be much easier for a bass to attack than say a Going Fishing Gill.What I was wondering is if any of you have experienced this on the water? The idea that bulkier, broader gill baits are harder to eat makes a lot of sense, but does using finless gill baits make a noticeable difference in hooking and landing fish?Any input appreciated, thanks!Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynem Posted December 7, 2017 Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 My two favorite hard gill baits are Mattlures Hardgill (lipless bait) and Toxic Wade Hoggs (lipped bait). One has fins and the other doesn't. Both have caught lots of fish for me and many, many others. I have no issues with the fins on the Hardgill. Kentsmith420, danthefisherman, bigpoppabass and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BASS_SWINGER Posted December 7, 2017 Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 I agree with matt danthefisherman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amistoad Posted December 7, 2017 Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 A bass large enough to attack a bluegill bait won’t have any problem getting the whole thing (or at least hooks) in its mouth. Fins aren’t going to make much of a difference. The Mattlures hard gill is a perfect example of that as waynem pointed out. Still, I personally don’t like circular Baits like the Going Fishing Gill. But that’s just me. danthefisherman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigpoppabass Posted December 7, 2017 Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 The wider profile of alot of bg baits spooked me at first cuz it appeared that there would be hook holding issues. Like Wayne said it hasn't happened with Matt's hardgill or my other favs the gantarel and shellcracker. I suspect the fish are engulfing em hoping to turn em to digest head first. You never see pics of heads sticking out of stomachs only tails. danthefisherman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceaser Posted December 7, 2017 Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 no fins for me danthefisherman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gradycodd Posted December 7, 2017 Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 Skirted fins don't seem to get in the way danthefisherman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSlant Posted December 7, 2017 Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 Low pro fins like slyguy would be my preference over the GFG style..a wakebait like the wade hoggs, billrilla etc make sense to have no fins.. soft fins are always a plus danthefisherman, Tanapon and basskickinrednick 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSlant Posted December 7, 2017 Report Share Posted December 7, 2017 This is an awesome picture.. glad to say I have that bait in that color and that's my home water! bassing305, JR Basser, basskickinrednick and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassing305 Posted December 8, 2017 Report Share Posted December 8, 2017 This is an awesome picture.. glad to say I have that bait in that color and that's my home water! Very nice, the guy that painted this swimbait has some good talent. Does it swim as good as it looks? If it does it would be a very good swimbait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swole_t Posted December 8, 2017 Report Share Posted December 8, 2017 I’ve caught a lot of fish on the hard gill. And like most the baits I fish they seem to mostly bite the bottom of the bait and get hooked that way. I haven’t had many fish that swallowed hardbaits and really a fish doesn’t have to swallow the bait to get hooked and caught. I haven’t really had any problems with keeping the fish on the line and landing them. Just my personal experience danthefisherman, BASS_SWINGER, Bigbasser and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSlant Posted December 8, 2017 Report Share Posted December 8, 2017 Very nice, the guy that painted this swimbait has some good talent. Does it swim as good as it looks? If it does it would be a very good swimbait. Absolutely swims as good as it looks! @slyguylures on IG danthefisherman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelpMePickABobber Posted December 8, 2017 Report Share Posted December 8, 2017 Absolutely swims as good as it looks! @slyguylures on IG Hope so. I've got that same one on order. BigSlant 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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