SwimbaitsatLMV Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 The bait that I am reviewing, is the 3:16 Soft Sunfish in the Sunfish color (yellow chin). This bait has produced very well for me over the last few years, landing fish up to 8 lbs 1 oz (A "monthly" record that held at Lake Mission Viejo for over four (4) months.) I am finally letting the cat out of the bag, and honestly I hope none of you guys fish there Tackle: I have fished the bait on everything from a Phenix 700H, 703XH, LDC H, LDC XH, Okuma C3 H. Reels: Curado 200, 300, corvalus 300, and a Daiwa Viento (not reccomended). 15-20 lb ANDE MONO is my prefered line. Action: The Bluegill (BG for short) has a very fast tail kick, and makes the body sort of shimmy. When fished slow enough, the bait will actually swim downward while still kicking. When sped up to a medium retrieve, the bait kicks faster and the body rides level (parallel to the surface and bottom) in the water. The bait does not really "glide" or walk on the jerk, just think of it as fishing most softbaits (hudd, etc.) and you are good to go. Sink Rate: This bait is a moderate to fast sinking bait, somewhere around a ROF ~8. THis bait is ideal for fishing fast in shallow water, due to the fact that it does not roll over. It can also be fished on the bottom similar to a Mattlures or Baitsmith bluegill if you modify the bait (I will get back to that). Techniques: I have a few prefered techniques to fish this bait with. One is running docks, for which it is perfectly set up to do in a stock configuration. Open water around bluegill schools has also been productive for me. Bottom bouncing for sight fish (NOT BED FISH) has put the big girls in the boat for me (And the 2 10+ lbrs I lost). pitch it beyond the fish, and shake it like a jig or whatever. Modifications: I like to bend one barb on the normal set up, and I switch to a 1/0 Gamakatsu (butch Brown bent hook style) when I rig it with a top hook. I will post a picture tomorrow of the top hook system, to which this day only Ben and mx4life14 have seen, along with the fish pictures. Durability: 20+ fish easy, I lost count but one I have is at around 26, I will also post a picture of that bait Fun bait, inexpensive, and the best producing softbaits for me to date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwimbaitsatLMV Posted December 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 And the 2 10+ lbrs were lost due to a faulty drag, not the bait or the hooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwimbaitsatLMV Posted December 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke V. Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 I've only thrown this bait once and it was my friends, very helpful review, thank you. I plan on stocking up on 3:16 baits ,hard and soft, after xmas cuz im getting some gift cards . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colbypearson Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 I've only thrown this bait once and it was my friends, very helpful review, thank you. I plan on stocking up on 3:16 baits ,hard and soft, after xmas cuz im getting some gift cards . Same here I wanna pick up some of the larger rising sons! Nice review dude! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke V. Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 I've only thrown this bait once and it was my friends, very helpful review, thank you. I plan on stocking up on 3:16 baits ,hard and soft, after xmas cuz im getting some gift cards . Same here I wanna pick up some of the larger rising sons! Nice review dude! Yea same here, the smaller ones kill over here, so the larger ones should bring in the donkeys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassindon69 Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 Nice job! and..... Nice fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPEEDBEAD Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 Nice fish and a great review. After reading all the reviews on here of baits I havent throw, I'm gonna be poor(er). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwimbaitsatLMV Posted December 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 Thanks guys. I have received multiple pm's on how to do my top hook rigging. Never thought I'd say this but, later in the day I will post step by step instructions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttaluns Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 Thanks guys. I have received multiple pm's on how to do my top hook rigging. Never thought I'd say this but, later in the day I will post step by step instructions. Thats awesome of you man! Its great to see people giving up some of their secrets to help others. I told Mickey i wont be surprised if we continue this program if we wont start seeing bigger fish out of the memebers, because of these great reviews were getting, which would be awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honestabe101 Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 Same here with the Gill. I have the shad(slightly slimmer profile) in a similar color that gets bit also that I fish the same.. The lake I primarily fish is only 10 years old with a tall grass bottom. Amazingly weedless when used stock with the bottom hook and like you said I flatten the barb on the treble that goes into the bait and still is fine today...prob 20-30 fish each and hundreds of casts with the two baits. My best results this past year are as follows: Early Spring/Winter(40-60 water temps) was to slow roll the bait on the bottom..as slow as you can go. Im fishing 25-40 feet with no problem. Had to learn to wait on the hook set until the rod loads up..lots of premature yanking. Surprised that a fish in the winter would follow/chase and mouth this bait sometimes for 30 yards. Late Spring/Summer/Early Fall(60-80 water temps). Cast it over your spot letting it sink on a slack line and watch your line. Half my fish are ate on the sink in the warmer months...and they come up and eat it pretty quick...maybe 5/10 feet deep casting over 30/40 foot water. I dont know if they are suspended/cruising around or sitting on the bottom looking up. My lakes are vodka clear..25/30 ft visibility. If I dont get ate on the sink I let it hit bottom, slow roll for 10 feet and then rip it off the bottom letting it sink back on a slack line. What Ive noticed with this bait is that if you miss a fish, kill it and it gets picked back up 80% of the time. If you can get it slightly hung on brush or rock, shake it for a little bit then rip it off...instantly gets bit a lot of the time...kinda like a jig or spinnerbait. The only negative is that it is pretty small for some of you guys and catches a lot of 14-16 inch fish...fine with me though being a beginner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwimbaitsatLMV Posted December 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 And its not just a big fish bait. If I was in a tournament, it would no doubt be tied up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwimbaitsatLMV Posted December 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 I take a spit ring and crimp 60lb seven strand to one side, then run it through the top of the body, then crimp on the hook. I also cut away some of the fin to make it stealthier. Hope this helps! I will try to get some more detailed pictures today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reelreport Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 I take a spit ring and crimp 60lb seven strand to one side, then run it through the top of the body, then crimp on the hook. I also cut away some of the fin to make it stealthier. Hope this helps! I will try to get some more detailed pictures today. Just saw this. Sounds awesome. Got any pics with it rigged up like this? Thanks again for the review man. Love the discussion in this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwimbaitsatLMV Posted January 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 The picture of the bait has the hook in it, just got to look carefully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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