This learning is thanks to fishing experts CHAMPIAN FISH Gene and Fastguy George. They took me fishing in September, the middle of the small-shad period when I typically have to downsize to a #2 Mepps. So, I had my #2 Mepps wit 3/16 oz weight up the line rigged up and used it to catch the huge Tawakoni white bass we found on various structures. To my amazement, both Gene and George were casting BoBlades for the whites. These are about 3 to 3 1/2 inches long - larger than the #4 Mepps I had abandoned. I had previously learned that, with rare exception, the fish would not strike a #4 when the micro shad are in the lake. But Gene and George were catching them with the 3-inch BoBlades. In fact, although I was catching fish on the #2 Mepps, they were catching 2 to 3 times more than I. First, they were catching on almost every cast, while I was catching on about half the casts, and second, because of the much heavier BoBlade, they could fish it much faster.

They worked the BoBlade along the bottom just like I work the Mepps. So, I asked Gene if I could borrow a BoBlade, and tried to do what they were doing. I was not as successful as they were, and later learned that they were swimming it much faster than I was. On my next several trips, I experimented with the various sizes of BoBlades to see which ones and at what speeds they worked the best and was able to reproduce what Gene and George did. I confess, I don't understand why the fish fall for the bigger lure when the tiny shad are in the lake, but I can't argue with success. So, thanks again Gene and George for schooling me and adding to my fishing success! Here are a couple of the BoBades:

Dennis what is the actual size of the two BoBlades in the picture? 3/8 oz and 5/8 oz?

The smaller of the two, which is the smallest one he makes, is 0.8 oz. I'm not sure of the weight of the larger one. He makes 3 sizes. The larger one above is the middle size.

The day I fished with Gene and George, I believe Gene was using the largest size and George was using the middle size.

George gave me a few to try earlier this year. They are very effective and seem to really attract the hybrids.

If FastGuy had been throwing his 4 in sassy shad he would have been out fishing you 10-1. He must have been bored.

Neat post.

Mark Bovee makes an outstanding bait, glad to be able to share it with Dennis and others.
I'm lucky to be able to fish with a lot of different people and learn various techniques from them.

We were out there this afternoon by 3 jug hump and the 2 of us caught 20+ in about 2 hours time. We were catching fish just off the bottom in about 20-25 fow. We were slowly drifting and jigging a spoon of the bottom and just above the bottom. We worked the baits S L O W !!! I caught several with the rod at a complete rest.

Thank you for the tips Dennis!! We’ll be out there again tomorrow afternoon!

I am planning to be out there today after lunch. If you see a light blue Mako CC, stop by and say hi.

I went out for a few hours yesterday afternoon. I headed to 3 Jug SE and marked fish at 25 FOW. I caught a short hybrid on a Bo Blade within the first 15 minutes. Using livescope, I could see fish in constant motion on the bottom. I got a few bumps on the Bo Blade but no more hookups. I changed to mepps #4. Same thing. Just a few bumps but no hookups. I decided to break out my 11' ACC crappie rod with a double jig set up. I used a 2" chartreuse body on the bottom jig and a 2" metal fleck body with a chartreuse tail on the top jig. Fish were interested but not interested enough to bite. Then 3 larger marking came across the bottom and BAM! A 14" hybrid smacked the bottom jig. Later a 18" hybrid smacked the bottom jig. I'm here to tell you that those ACC poles are tough. Those 2 hybrids put a good bend on the 11' pole. I hooked another fish later but after fighting it a bit, it came unbuttoned. All I can say is dang that was a fun way to end the year!

l always love your reports Dennis ,wish I could get the hang of the mepps but just can't seem to cast them far enough .

bellamy72, a couple of suggestions re using the lighter weighted Mepps. First, they are too light to fish when the boat is moving - they can't get to the bottom. So, I always park the boat either over the fish or within casting distance of them. If there is wind, park up wind of them to make casting down wind and easier. When fish are shallow (0 to 15 fow), I set up to cast to them because setting up right over them can often spook them in shallow water. If they are deeper, I can park right over them and just drop the Mepps straight down to the bottom, jig it a couple of times, then lift or reel it up from the bottom to get a bite. No casting needed this way. I will add this learning of 2023: since fishing for striped fish is almost always on the bottom, use the heaviest lure that will catch fish. Last year I learned of two really good lures that are heavier: the BoBlade (a lot heavier than a Mepps 4) and the larger version of Panther Martin (weight between the BoBlade and Mepps 4). So, now I start with the BoBlade and stay with it if it catches fish. If it doesn't, I go to the Panther Martin, and if it doesn't, I go to a Mepps 4. You could also add a Mepps Longcast or Bob Maindell's Mepps, which is like a Longcast. These are about the same weight as the Panther Martin. Fishing buddies Chris M and Book have good success with the Longcast. I prefer the Panther Martin to them. I think the regular Mepps 4 entice the fish the best, and when the others won't catch many, it will. so, even though it takes a couple or 3 seconds longer to get to the bottom, I can still catch more fish with it than the others.