The hardhead jig heads used for the Biffle bugs seem to be the only option for the plastic baits...Are there other options?

I Texas rig mine and do great with them. They're a pretty versatile bait and can be used in ways other then on a hard head. I've also put them on a flipping hook and punched through some hydrilla and have had some success.

If you're looking for a different brand for a hard head style jig, chompers makes a good rig.

I feel like the hardhead can cost you a hook set if I fish it like a texas rig...at least that's what I'm blaming this past Saturday on.

T-rigged the Biffle Bug at the Central Open and finished in the top 10 overall. If I put it on a hardhead, I work it just like a jig and crawl it on the bottom. Awesome bait for sure!

I don't doubt the bait at all...ended up fishing it in the last hour of tourney had 4 fish on and lost each of them at the same point as soon as they walked on the water. I was told the hook set needed to be a sweep instead of a lifting up motion...if that's the case...I'm to blame.

I hope someone on here can describe the best rod retrieve position and hook set to use to get the hook to drive home.

I lost a very good fish that I thought was hooked when it came up and shook off after a couple of go arounds.

Wonder if the hook set should be its own topic? Good question.

Neko rig

A better hook! Have some made with a straight shank hook.

4/0 eagle claw razor sharp trigged, I make sure to leave the point barely exposed through one of the ridges.
for a jig head I use A&M baits rubberneck, I like the hook and jig head being separate of each other

I may be able to help a little here. The Hard Head was designed to be worked more like a slow rolled crank bait just off the bottom with the occasional bounce but for the most part its just off the bottom because when you combine the swivel action of the HH with the action of the Biffle Bug it really dances around and can cause some pretty aggressive strikes. If you watch any of the footage of Tommy Biffle fishing the HH you will see its always a slow steady retrieve with a hook set more like that of a c-rig. However, the HH is not the only way I fish a Bug, in fact I fish it many different ways with great success. T-rigged like others have mentioned, c-rigged which is not something I see a lot but has been a really big deal for me and also even thrown on a split shot with a rattle inserted in the body. So you have a lot of ways to fish it besides the Hard Head. Feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions.

Thanks Chris...I like the results of bites, but I think I'm going to use a non moving or pivoting head for the technique I used on sat.

V&M Bottom Bugger is a great alternative.

Saw a company at the FLW Cup this year that make a Bifdle head style head but it comes with a split ring so you could put any style hook on it you wanted

Gave me a sample to try out that I like the couple of times ive thrown it

www.Punisherlures.com is their site