One of the questions I get all the time is how to keep a plastic bait from sliding down the hook. I get it. Ruined plastics don’t catch bass and they can get to be expensive over time. Here’s how I’ve learned to solve that problem: Use a screw-type, spring looking bait keeper when you thread your plastic on your hook, but not in the way you might think.
You know what I’m talking about. It’s a screw looking, spring-like bait keeper with a ring on top. Some people call it a hitch hiker. The way it’s supposed to be used is by attaching the ring on top of the screw to your hook and then screwing the spring into your plastic. This keeps the plastic on the hook.
But there’s another way that works even better, and it’s more versatile. Don’t attach the ring on top to the hook. Just screw the entire bait keeper into your plastic, all the way in until the ring is buried and out of sight.
Then push your hook through the inside of the screw and out the bottom. This won’t interfere with the way you rig your plastic. It’ll work anyway you want. But, what it will do is keep the bait from sliding down the shank of the hook. And don’t worry about it interfering with your hookset. It won’t.
These bait keepers come in a variety of sizes. Make sure you have a few of each and don’t pay much attention to what size the manufacturer puts on the package — large, medium or small. There’s no standard. The sizes will be different from one manufacturer to the next.
I know this sound crazy but it really does work. Practice with some of your old hooks and baits. Once you get the hang of it your fishing will be closer to hassle free and you’ll save a lot of money that you can use to buy other fishing stuff.
___________________________________________
Click Here to See Exactly How Mike Does it
___________________________________________
Like Ike on Facebook, and follow him on Instagram for fishing and fun content.
Subscribe to Mike’s YouTube channel, Going Ike, to ensure you see every adventure video.
Return to Mike Iaconelli’s website