Floating Rubber Baits - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

pmueller · 10-25-2010, 03:29 PM

Looking for a good "floating" rubber bait. Something that will out float anything else and cause a nice wake. Something that floats more than a slugo.

FishermanTim · 10-25-2010, 04:11 PM

I've never heard of a floating rubber lure.

(I've seen floating rubbers, but that's not what we want to talk about.)

All rubber lures that I've seen and used were designed to sink.

BMEUPSCOTTY · 10-25-2010, 04:23 PM

someone should design a floating head that you can rig plastics on... different shapes... maybe a cupped popping head... I know I've seen something like that for freshwater...

or maybe you could inject air in a sluggo, like they do for freshwater plastic (and live) worms...

after a little googling, I cant find any floating soft jerkbaits..... just the 11" floating worms, but I don't think that's what you're looking for...

3rd edit: develop your own, and make it out of cyberflexxx... it floats like a cork and stretches like a rubber band... if you wrap a rubber worm made of cyberflexxx around a 15 lb. weight you can pick it up...

http://www.worldrecordbass.com/article.asp?ID=61

Nebe · 10-25-2010, 05:13 PM

tidbit-

when you pour soft plastics, they float when hot, but when they cool they sink.

Also, the softer the plastic, the more apt it is to at the very least suspend.

Wider baits will stay higher in the water column than narrower baits due to lift

pmueller · 10-25-2010, 06:45 PM

Interesting advice Nebe.
Worked with placing a float/popper body in front of a slugo. I seem to get more refusals from that rig.
Thinking of attaching in some way styrofoam to the top of a slugo.

iamskippy · 10-25-2010, 11:02 PM

Hoogie?
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chefchris401 · 10-25-2010, 11:10 PM

They make floating popper heads, try D.O.A, they make some cool soft plastics.

Also look at BPS online and check there big bass and Muskie stuff out.
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Pete_G · 10-26-2010, 12:07 AM

Ronz. The floating model. Had the same soft rubber as the normal Ronz so it kicked along nicely.

Although no one ever bought it when we carried it so we don't have them anymore but I know they exist.

The Dad Fisherman · 10-26-2010, 05:20 AM

They made a rubber bait that floats for freshwater bass. didn't seem to catch on. Real stretchy rubber too.....you could stretch it 10 times it actual length.

Haven't seen them lately in the stores so I don't think they are making them anymore

bucko · 10-26-2010, 07:05 AM

You may want to try rigging a foam popper type head in front of the sluggo. If you reverse the head you should get a wake instead of a popping action. The foam popping heads can be found in Fly shops like Bear's Den in Taunton. I switched about 10 years ago from spinning and sluggos to the fly rod.

Got Stripers · 10-26-2010, 11:18 AM

I rig my 7" Ledge Runner split tail on a 7/0 Owner hook weightless, the hook weight alone will sink it slowly, but you can keep it on top fairly easily. With a slight bow in the bait, normally you'd want it rigged straight, you can walk the dog and get some really violent strikes.

WESTPORTMAFIA · 10-26-2010, 11:29 AM

I have some floating rubber worms on my buddies boat somewhere. It would give you an idea if you were thinking about making a mold for something bigger. They are called floating french fry worms or something like that.

pmueller · 10-26-2010, 01:53 PM

Excellent responses.
I'll have to look into the Ronz bait. Got a few of the newer ones.

timmah · 10-26-2010, 02:14 PM

I made a huge shad with micro-balloons for flotation.

About 9 inchs and 3oz with hook and/or jig head molded in.

Tail slaps on top and has a popper cupped face. Makes a big wake.

King Neptune · 10-26-2010, 02:39 PM

Strike King Zulu is the only one I've ever seen, but it's only made up to 4 inches. It's killer for smallies, one of my favorites. Looks like a Zoom fluke. It's an interesting plastic that's very stretchy and durable.

Someone needs to come out with a 10 inch saltwater version, it would be deadly in calm conditions.

pmueller · 10-26-2010, 03:28 PM

I'm thinking spring conditions.
You guys are killing me.
Timmah, you in for a trade?

Nebe · 10-26-2010, 03:30 PM

Surfhog eels are great topwater soft plastics. You can still get them.
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timmah · 10-26-2010, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmueller

I'm thinking spring conditions.
You guys are killing me.
Timmah, you in for a trade?

Sure, I don't have many left though. I'll have to dig some up. I did make these for spring and got one good canal bass on the top waters and many others on the jighead.

And yes, nebe's surf hogs are sweet.

pmueller · 10-26-2010, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nebe

Surfhog eels are great topwater soft plastics. You can still get them.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

You got my interest.

The Dad Fisherman · 10-26-2010, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Dad Fisherman

They made a rubber bait that floats for freshwater bass. didn't seem to catch on. Real stretchy rubber too.....you could stretch it 10 times it actual length.

Haven't seen them lately in the stores so I don't think they are making them anymore

I stand Corrected....they still make them...

Strike King 3X Soft Baits

Finaddict · 10-26-2010, 11:57 PM

Surfhogs are great ... but from DOA - Mark makes a top water swimmer that has an adjustable rig - similar to a lip, that rides the top, as a larger profile, and works great ... check out the Web site, i think it's DOA ... it will have that information.

pmueller · 10-27-2010, 10:21 PM

Thanks again

pmueller · 10-28-2010, 03:59 PM

Sent Ronz an email. He sent reply almost immediately. Seems like a nice guy. Sounds like he's working on something like this.