If you throw a yellow magic all the time that's what you will cats fish on.

Thanks Donald. Looks like I could go to a craft store, buy some silver-blue glitter craft paint,, and paint that stripe right on my lures. Or maybe I'm over simplifying it. Nice treble hooks on those lures.

Scott

Wow thanks for all the interesting information everyone!

I can't speak much for the YM, I swiched completely to Ricos once I found them. The Rico, which is very similar, just is a different sound. Like others have already stated, they make a different noise. However, like Thad Rains wrote about "the perfect crankbait", not all YMs or Ricos are made the same, which is a shame considering how much they cost. I have several that just do not make that perfect "blooop" sound, they go into the backup part of my Rico box. You'll know it when you get a good one.

I've toyed with tying loop knots and have had some success with that on some of them. Some things that have I've found definitely help or make a difference.

1. Line size - I just cannot get the bait to make the sound I need with anything heavier than 12-14 lb mono.
2. Line type - Braid is too reactive causing the bait to move too fast to get the right sound. Mono or Co-Polymer works best for me.
3. Rod action - Need a fast tip, the tip needs to load a little to keep the bait from moving too fast to get the right sound.
4. Knot position - I ALWAYS push the knot down as low on the eye as I can. This makes the bait "dig" more than if the knot is higher up on the eye, helping it make the right sound. This has to constantly be checked as the knot wants to slide up. I plan on crimping the eye into more of an oval pushing the line knot point lower to keep from having to constantly move the knot.
5. Retrieve - Every rod and line combination is going to be a little different. It just takes a little time to figure out the speed of the jerk to make it pop/bubble right.

I've used the sub standard baits as ones to play with different modifications on Ricos. Using a knife to make a sharper edge on the inside of bottom lip helps the bait dig a little better. I think some better changes to the lip could be made with a Dremel, and that is in my plans.

The hooks are very weak and you have to set your drag less than with other baits. If you set your drag for 14 lb test line I can tell you that those stock hooks will open before the line will break, especially if you only have one or two points in the fish. Thankfully, most of the time the fish choke the bait, getting both hooks in them, and you don't have to worry about straightening hooks as much. If you see the fish jump and you can see the bait though, you need to be aware the hook is the weak link in your rig and play the fish accordingly.

YMs and Ricos will catch, but getting the right set up and right retrieve will make a great bait into an outstanding bait.

It's bc it walks while it pops when worked correctly

I finally bought one myself, it does spit water about twice as for as any other chug/pop style.
The one I got had rattles in it, can't say they all do, this is my first.
Wanting to say it's a Yellow Magic Magnum, bought it in Zavalla, bait shop.
The first 3-4 cast, had a 16" bass hit it and completely came out of the water.

Not real sure what's magic though, still gonna hang on to all my other top water
baits, just in case, ha!

what are you using to paint on them? (not sure I think they're justified at 16$ ea)

Its not like you will lose a bunch of them.

I think alot of it is confidence in the bait too. I am sure there are days where the YM outfishes the rico and vice versus. I am a rico fan because that is what I have thrown for years. Just saying.

You can use finger nil polish to put stripe down side.

I fished Possum Kingdom again Saturday with a friend of mine. I've been catching a lot of fish on a Pop R. My friend used a YM.
We both caught a lot of fish with a couple of 3#'s and a 4#.
I swear, I couldn't tell any difference between the two. Maybe there is, but I'll stay with the Pop R even though I have some YM's.
You can buy two for the price of one YM.
I guess it's what ever you have confidence in.
I always have two rods rigged with a top water this time of year. The other was a Rapala stick bait with the front and rear props. (Can't remember the name) But Saturday, I'd have to give the nod to the Rapala used with a slow steady retrieve.
Whatever works

Good Luck

bigfishtx - I know what you mean about the line tie. Every bait is different and you have to do a lot of playing around with them to find what works best on different baits.

For instance; just the rough spots on a split ring where they separate gets in a position to hinder the way the bait works. My spook works best with the clip. All the new lines have so many additives in them for knot strength and abrasion, they do not float as well. I use 25# Original Stren, which have non of these polymers.

bigfishtx your PM's are over the limit. I would like to talk to you. Thanks.
Donald

Rharder, consider your topic officially stolen! :-)

I believe Rharder is happy with the info. we have given him on why the YM and and especially the New model works so well. It is always good to compare baits and the techniques that work on each bait to make sure we are making the right decisions.

If not he can tell me to shup-up.

i still have my first ym i bought 3 years ago. i've spent way more on yum dingers or brush hogs or just about anything else in my tackle box that i actually use than i have on ym's. i have a few more now but that's just to have some different colors. imo one of the highest quality and in the end cost effective baits you can buy.