Those books are OK (I have them all too) but bucktailing is a learned art form. You really need to spend a some time and cast different bucktail designs with different trailers. One expert once told me ..."The purpose of a buckail is to deliver the pork")
Trailers will effect decent rates but some effect distance and action. IMO you just need to play with these "knobs" ( weight/head design/trailer type and size) and learn the feel for them. Eventually you will know where it is off the bottom and if you need a lighter/heavier jig or a longer tail. Just go out and do it on a sunny day when you have nothing better to do. I like reading about this too but the books are kind of basic and it is hard to explain the feel, you need to cast them.
IMO with the exception of the serious canal fishermen (who have this down pat) few guys around here use bucktails all that often. I think for the reason is they get hung up with them, get annoyed and fish plugs. Another reason is it can be maddening to fish right next to someone who is hammering them on a bucktail and you are right next to him doing squat. I have seen this happen. I have seen guys leave a good bucktail bite because they are being out-fished big time. You just have to get in the groove with them, almost like a Zen, many nights they will out produce plugs. I think it all has to to wit the depth, some nights the bass will not rise to take a near surface plug but will strike a bucktail or RonZ like no tomorrow. Why? You put it right in their face.
Weed and structure can be a problem but the single hook sure makes it sweet for an easy release. Also, once hooked...you rarely loose them. Also it is fun to fish with a home made jig that cost next to nothing and fish pound like no tomorrow.
Good luck with it.
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