Flipping with NuTech

Bud Kennedy · December 16, 2018, 11:28:36 AM

The spring trip to Florida will likely be a flipping and pitching event. Recommended baits are simple t rig baits on a stout hook with a pegged bullet weight. My thoughts have taken me down the path of why not consider a NuTech Elite Grass Jig for this purpose. Just tip it with some plastics and have at it. Does anyone have a reason why this would NOT be a good combination for flipping into the reeds and pads? I am not talking a punching deal for this discussion.

zippyduck · December 16, 2018, 01:25:30 PM

No reason I can think of. Never a bad choice. I throw them in some thick stuff.

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Oldfart9999 · December 16, 2018, 05:24:50 PM

Don't see why not Bud, see what your guide thinks.
Rodney

Bud Kennedy · December 16, 2018, 05:30:49 PM

More importantly what does Bo think. It has been my experience that a lot of folks have heard about Nutech but not everyone really knows about them, if you know what I mean. I guess they will just have to see them in action. This is one of those products you have to use to truly appreciate. As most of you know, once you use em you are spoiled for any other jig style product. The hooking system alone should be enough to make folks a believer.

Oldfart9999 · December 17, 2018, 06:47:15 AM

Bud, you should see if Bo would hire you to promote his jigs with different guides, it could help defer the cost of your trips.

Rodney

Mike Cork · December 17, 2018, 10:24:20 AM

Bud, I use the NuTech with just a Beaver style bait all the time for punching through vegetation. My only concern is that he is recommending a soft plastic because a jig with a skirt provides to large of a profile and won't get as many strikes. So, try the jig, but if it doesn't get bit, pull off the skirt and put the plastic of choice on.

What every bait works on a texas rig will work on a NuTech jig head.

Bud Kennedy · December 17, 2018, 10:30:39 AM

I actually carry some naked head grass jigs as well as skirted jigs. Will be interesting to find out what works an that particular day.

Mike Cork · December 17, 2018, 10:36:34 AM

Do you know what kind of vegetation you'll be fishing? In the spring like that, much of the submergent vegetation can be pretty thin but their are always cattails and suck? Just curious what the plan was, assuming he discussed any of that already.

Bud Kennedy · December 17, 2018, 11:07:23 AM

Dave has not passed along too much information as yet. From his notes and other research I have done it will be a lot of flipping in areas that seem to contain a lot of reeds. I see on the lake detail the obvious areas of hydrilla and pads, cypress trees and whole bunches of gators. I really don't expect to see too much different that what I have experienced at Santee. He has indicated some possibilities for soft swimbaits. Clearly he is not much of a fan of topwater but does it from time to time based on circumstances. He claims the bigger fish come underwater. Since this is a big fish bucket list trip I do have concerns that it could be a tough couple of days. Lots of presentations with nothing to show for it is entirely possible.

I am only taking a small day box of baits so I am fully dependent upon his guidance.

Mike Cork · December 17, 2018, 11:10:33 AM

Fishing for big bass is definitely different than numbers. We have a lake here know for giants and when you hire a guide he asks if you want to catch a bunch or a big one? It obviously changes the plan, typically you won't catch the bass of a life time living among a bunch of two pounders.

I'm excited for you and can't wait to see you holding a giant.

Bud Kennedy · December 17, 2018, 11:22:12 AM

Of all of my fishing trip through the years, this will be the first one that I have selected just for the purpose of big fish. Before this trip most outings were for quantity but not this time. This may be my best chance of breaking that 10 LB barrier. No guarantees but at least a solid chance. This lake was selected for this specific reason. The guide was selected for the same reason and is well known as a big fish guy. I figured if I am gonna make an A$$ out of myself I might as well do it in the best place possible.

Mike Cork · December 17, 2018, 01:41:20 PM

Hopefully there is no ass making... Nothing but Double Digits abound.

TNDiver · December 17, 2018, 05:36:44 PM

Go big or go home! Good luck Bud!

Donald Garner · December 17, 2018, 06:53:50 PM

Bud have a great trip I hope you have the trip of a life time

I do have one question for ya. I already know you're hiring a guide for this trip etc why aren't you USING HIS EQUIPMENT? Was this an option when you hired him?

Bud Kennedy · December 17, 2018, 08:01:01 PM

Quote from: Donald Garner on December 17, 2018, 06:53:50 PM
Bud have a great trip I hope you have the trip of a life time I do have one question for ya. I already know you're hiring a guide for this trip etc why aren't you USING HIS EQUIPMENT? Was this an option when you hired him?

I guess because I am so happy with my Dobyns/Daiwa combos. Some guide trips I have been on the equipment was not all that great so why not use what makes me comfortable. The guide of course does offer use of this equipment including the baits. I will be using his plastics and some rigging but I will still have some of my favorites with me.

Oldfart9999 · December 18, 2018, 06:22:05 AM

Better to use what you are familiar with than try to teach yourself something different, especially if you're using what could be unfamiliar baits.
Rodney

Donald Garner · December 18, 2018, 07:12:00 PM

Quote from: Oldfart9999 on December 18, 2018, 06:22:05 AM
Better to use what you are familiar with than try to teach yourself something different, especially if you're using what could be unfamiliar baits.
Rodney

That is true. I choose to use my guide's equipment etc. That was the first time I'd ever used a Dobyns Rod, braided line to any extend. I learned how to fish a Shaky Head that day also. It was a great day sharing the boat with Lance Vick on Lake Fork.

Bud, I sure hope the weather is great for ya and you boat that fish of a life time

merc1997 · December 20, 2018, 02:26:19 PM

bud

i saw your question about using Nutechs through vegetation. i have limited personal experience and that has been mostly with hydrilla and coon tail moss. if it is rooted well, it is just like fishing through brush. no problems at all. we fished a bunch of hay grass on toledo bend and it too was like fishing through open water. grasses that are not rooted well cling to your line and then work their way down to your lure and there is not much you can do about that. lou and fishnfool live in florida and could give you a much better answer. i just do not think you would have an issue.

one of the methods we used catching bass out of the hay grass at toledo bend was using a 3/16 head with a soft plastic frog that have the paddle feet. we reeled it along as a top water and would drop it down in the holes as we came back in. caught a lot of them up on top, and several letting it sink in a hole.

bo

FlatsNBay · December 23, 2018, 06:29:11 AM

Bud, I think that you are on to a great idea with the jig. Many of us in Florida will start off pitching soft plastics until we figure out a pattern as to the right depth and cover that the fish are holding on. We then switch up to a jig and trailer to try and "upgrade" with a bigger fish. Jigs are a great bait for pitching up a bigger fish or even a fish of a lifetime! I've only fished Istipoga once but it was in the summer and we did alot of pitching with jigs. I would stick with dark colors such as black and blue and the size of the jig will be based on the cover and conditions. I think that we were pitching 3/4 or 1 oz jigs into and along the reeds. Good luck!

TNDiver · December 24, 2018, 01:20:59 PM

I haven't punched through thick grass. Do you use a heavier weight jig or does the weight of the plastic help push it through? How heavy is too heavy?

Capt. BassinLou · December 24, 2018, 02:11:27 PM

I flip with Nu-Tech's every once and while. Especially with the Bomber around thicker stuff. One of my biggest bass lost was off a Bomber. Unfortunately the bass broke me off around timber.

Deadeye · December 24, 2018, 05:19:03 PM

I've withheld my opinion on NuTech Jigs, because my personal experience with them is not up to Par with what everyone else is saying.

Here is what I find:

Brush and Wood: Excellent! I find that they pull through Brush and around Laydowns and Logs better than most I've tried do.

Stem Pads (those that have their Heart Shaped Heads above the water-line: Not so good if using as a swimjig. I find that the double arms tend to grab onto the stem and hold on more than a slim head with a single arms does. I use Swimjigs a lot and that is just my opinion. If your just Flipping they would probably work.

Vegetation: I rarely use a Jig in any form when Flipping thicker Vegetation. Instead I prefer to use a Heavy Flipping Hook and a Pegged Bullet Weight with or without a Skirt. The Skirt gives a bigger profile and also slows the fall.

The exception to this is when Flipping Reeds. I have used Jigs to Flip Reeds and have had success, however it is a rare day that I will put down a regular Flipping setup to pick up a Jig just for reeds.

Heavy Heavy Vegetation: I've tried Punching with a Bomber Jig, but again I find a regular Punch Rig does a better job.

Everyone has their favorites and what works for them. If I was paying a Guide I would most likely use whatever bait he told me to use, after all the reason you are hiring him is for his local and up to date info.