Big Hammer Lures

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Gave the VMC Short Shank hook/Owner CPS Centering Pin Spring rig a shot up at Pyramid the weekend before last. The 5 inch Black Grape Salt Shaker Worm was getting it done. Thanks again Karl!

Saw them chasing dragonflies last week. Thought After Midnite might be a good color choice.

For the past couple of months I've been searching for a way to:

1) Nose hook the Salt Shaker Worm and not loose my bait

2) Get solid hookups (to make it more fun I'm using an ultra-light rod & reel)

3) Decrease the risk to the fish

4) Make it easier to get the fish off the hook

Equipment: Marshland Float Tube, Shimano Compre Lite rod (ultra-light), Shimano Vanford 500, P-Line 15 lb. Endurx Electric Green Braid, P-Line 10 lb. Shinsei Leader, VMC 7154BN short shank jig hook, Owner Twistlock CPS - size Small, Big Hammer 5 inch Salt Shaker Worm (Black Grape), Pro-Cure (a bunch of flavors mixed together - mostly Rainbow Trout, Sweet Craw & Krill).

A couple of weeks ago I tried the hook & twistlock spring combo and believe I have found what I was looking for.

Last week I hooked and lost a good fish. I estimated it at 2-3 lbs. The local pond I'm fishing is eutrophic (algae blooms/fish kills). Currently a 3 lb. bass is definitely one of the few larger fish in the lake.

For some reason that lost fish inspired me to try barbless. Perhaps if I knew I was fishing barbless I would fight the fish better? Pay attention to not giving them any slack? The rest of the first day was great. I probably look like a madman every time I hook a fish. Spinning my tube at top speed or kicking as fast as possible to keep pressure on the fish. But it works.

Yesterday afternoon I caught the second largest bass I've seen at the lake since 2014. 18.2 inches. Constant pressure was the key as the hook literally fell out when I lifted the fish into the tube. I'm not ready to go barbless for all lures but for soft plastics, especially for how and where I'm fishing, I've become a fan.

And, I usually go through one or two worms per trip. Not because they fall off but because they get so beat up I have to replace it. The fish I caught yesterday was caught on a worm that had to be in at least 20-30 fish's mouths before hers.

And a couple of scenic shots 🤙

Another nice halibut on the Red Punkin Ringer Worm 🤙

2 inch Hammer - color 13 "Baitfish"

Bluefin Trevally chewin' on some Bubblegum...

Happy Halloween 2025 🤙

4 inch Salt Shaker Worm - Black Grape

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