STROLLING JIGS Tested Underwater: You WON'T Believe the Results

Discover the ultimate bass fishing experience with our underwater test of the BEST jigs for the Hover Rig, the Damiki Rig, moping, mid strolling, bottom strolling, or hover strolling. Strolling is a popular new technique using fluke style soft plastic lures and jigs to catch bass. Hugely popular in tournament fishing among anglers fishing MLF and Bassmaster tours, the results of our underwater test were a huge surprise!
Want to try fishing a strolling rig?
Owner Ranger Roller Jig bit.ly/3vAM5ch
True South Ned Jig bit.ly/42LKMUn
Scottsboro Ball Head Jig bit.ly/2QdLar8
Duo Realis Bayruf BR Head bit.ly/3T1sSty
FF Series Min-o bit.ly/44bUIFA
HogFarmer Baits Spunk Shad Swimbait bit.ly/3e7ytaJ
My Finesses Spinning Setup 7' ML bit.ly/48rCwLb
Duo Realis BR Fish bit.ly/49jW8l0
Grab an MB hat bit.ly/3yExFpE

[@craigpeters3165]

Where's the Core Tackle Hover Rig?

[@BuxketMouthBilly]

They biased lol

[@robertwagner4375]

My thoughts as well.

[@davidhidalgo5662]

Love the under water stuff. Other guys are talking about it but you are showing us. Thanks again

[@mikeybalzz]

👊 I heard that man it's kind of new ground too it's a cool technique to sort of break down and explore definitely will be seeing some more stuff on it from me

[@Markisuncfan]

The owner, one man show of True South Lures is a good friend. He makes awesome lures and has a doggone good reputation for high quality lures.

[@AlaconTV]

As someone who used this technique before forward facing... I'm loving all the new jigheads that are coming out.

[@mikeybalzz]

I agree with you there it's basically fancy keitech fishing and all this new hardware has really given a lot of options

[@chrisboyd1408]

Did you try the Core Tackle version yet? Thanks for getting in the water, great footage.

[@striperswiper1]

I have not used this system, however I really like the way shad dart heads work soft plastic. I figured it out fishing for crappie. Bass love it.

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

👏👏 Awesome job Mikey,tons of valuable information,thank you ❤👊

[@mikeybalzz]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AlexandertheGregfishing]

Good vid. I didn't find that any of those baits and heads looked good except the duo realis. Maybe that bait on a much lighter head?

[@JasonSullivanBigBass]

Dude thanks for teaching us. I really learned from this video. I'm go change my jig heads I know that you the man and thanks for taking one for the team lol cold water 💦

[@ko-yoshi]

Thanks for this! I was thinking the exact same thing with some Ned heads 😊

[@garrettm5408]

Try the Megabass Okashira jighead, it has a wobble action to it.

[@philturinsky27]

Keep these videos coming!!!! Great info. Makes decisions and buying things allot easier. I'm my opinion

[@haroldrogers6566]

Thanks for getting wet for us and the birdseye demonstration Mikey!! I know swimsuit girl picked them cute bright pink swimming drawers out for you. 😁👍💯

[@mikeybalzz]

They're her favorite don't ask me why

[@floridanature5692]

Yay Florida videos! Hope you make it out to Okeechobee for some frog fishing this year.

[@Steve13lb12oz]

The Core Hover or Gambler hover seem to be my best producers. Florida pools are only good for testing lures until mid April. Getting in that cold water causes MikeyShrinkinbalzzz. !

[@AlabamaBassin]

The 6th sense finesse jig head has the best head wobble with numerous baits hands down 💯💪

[@Fishboy68]

Thank you Mikey,the duo realis looked great for warmer water.A head shaped like a swim jig head would probally create a little roll to the bait also i would guess.Would like to see what that looks like.

[@bobbrown9277]

Brother thank you for all this to help us all.we all can become better fisherman. Thank bro.

[@booster4470]

Way to take one for the team! :0 Shinkage!

[@mikeybalzz]

So much shrinkage. I didn't have much to give in the first place 🤣

[@ronfeltonfishing]

Thx for putting this together

[@ADVENTURESOFBZ]

Wonderful video brother!!! Got me thinking and attacking it a bit differently

[@TimEdwards-sx2pq]

Excellent presentation by the way thanks for the blue balls

[@youtubzkoz]

Love the videos. Watch the hookup tackle strolling videos. Try the top rigging instead of the swimbait way. Like how the jighead goes through the top of the plastic instead of the front, like hover rigged hooks do. Makes the roll easier and more frequent. The side roll and flash is incredible. Wonder if they will make a strolling hardbait ???

[@davidharris4030]

That shakey head is interesting! I will give that a go!

[@TurdFerguson1000]

Everyone is killing it on this technique…..except me! I haven’t figured it out yet. Maybe I need clearer water ?

[@bassman4201000]

Me too i just get follows

[@ryanhill7770]

I sucked at it too man. To the point were I was getting discouraged. I'm still no pro by any means but what helped me the most was using it with an a-rig. Its so easy to see a rig on screen and you'll get really good at knowing your distances and your fall rates and being able to put a bait in front of fish. Now I can see little ballhead minnow baits no problem because of how easy it was to do with the rig

[@TurdFerguson1000]

@@ryanhill7770 I see everything fine. Just not getting bites

[@bigmike19]

​@@TurdFerguson1000same here

[@mattthomen1608]

I'll get strolling soon, new style of what I've been doin for a long time, it has finally got the hooks to hold em. Before u would bend out your fine wire shit hook.and just say bye bye....

[@johnm2617]

D/C owns this mid strolling technique! 😮

[@notsogood6249]

Enjoyed the video...Swimsuit Guy!

[@mikeybalzz]

😂

[@oldschoolfishing4194]

Good stuff! Thanks!

[@rogerclark-gi1hj]

You're in Florida, it's time for another 40# bag!

[@mikeybalzz]

Stay tuned I might have something coming 😉

[@darrellgrant7615]

When I first saw the thumbnail I was like “oh cool its EVH I love Van Halen what’s this video about ?” Then I noticed what channel it was and I was like “HOLY F@#K MIKEY BALLZ IS AN EVH DOPPELGÄNGER “ I don’t think I’ve ever seen you without a hat 😂

[@kevinbeaudean704]

That's hilarious. MIKEY

[@wadebateyfishing777]

Great content and entertaining as always!

[@jeffpruitt3998]

Cool stuff, Have been using a Tro-Kar tungsten pro v head for a while, luv it. Just picked up a handful of core tackle tush hover rigs, can’t wait to check them out. I like that duo relias head, I agree should make a great summertime rig. May pick up a few of those as well. Next time put swim suit girl in the cold pool😎

[@rodcashman4793]

Mikey very interesting 🤔 thanks for sharing 👍

[@jameskeim8912]

Had to comment twice.Took j.b. weld steal stick modified a no 26 ball head gama.1/8 oz with no 3 hook to look just like that rollerhead lot easier than I thought it would be.Cant get good sizes sold out .Anyway let set up tied LOOP KNOT took to tank almost cried worked so good been struggling with this because no one gives up important details that make all the difference. Like loop knot ,your the only one give that up saw the difference with my own eyes.huge.im finally on the right track thanks to you ,your pool and some j.b. weld .can't wait for more thanks

[@stonehorn4641]

I killed it with the Crush City Freeloader last weekend during our weekly fun league. Pumpkin green, just like candy to them. I have 4 packs and I ordered more right away. Our first 2 day tournament is in two weeks.

[@mikemike87650]

For the BR, If you turn the jigbody upside down you get a brother bottom wich pushes more water so the way it retrive changes alot

[@donaldgregg7818]

I make my own heads from a modified Do-It mold and add a fine weed guard. Shape, grind, drill until I have big eyes, very little lead and a hook that doesn’t flex but gets penetration on everything. I’ve everything from bass to bull reds and speckled on them. Started making these back in 2019 bc nobody really made a good finesse seedless jig head with a hook capable of doing almost everything. If you use a micro torch you can modify any hook you want. Dremel the mold to accept the degree line tie you want. Drill a 1/16” hole and put maybe 5 strands of weedguard. Add double hook keepers as well. I’ve caught well over a thousand fish on my heads and I know the manufacturer won’t go out of business….

[@totalnoobfishing1753]

Nice work!!! I mod the larger hot lips bucktails for up North Striped Bass and Bluefish jigs. Best thing I ever did was buy the Do It molds... not really about the saving money, its the endless creativity that I love if you tinker with the molds and paint and eyes etc.

[@corey8112]

How you tied it? Can you show how to tie it? Love your channel very informative thanks

[@valleygrown_dieseltech3444]

Loop knot he said

[@kylefaiss9625]

What's the difference in action between a ball head and a smeltinator type jig head with a minnow shaped head and more lead down the shank of the hook?

[@joshh3891]

Interesting.. I haven’t thought much about jighead designs.. underwater footage definitely helps.. I’m wondering what happens with a similar triangular head but a concave or rolling wave-like “bottom” or base design..

[@mikeybalzz]

Stay tuned I'm actually going to play around with this quite a bit with some underwater test and I'm actually thinking of building a jig head specifically for it

[@reno-on6vw]

Like that owner roller head.

[@wilsonpe]

Been thinking about a weedless darter head jig with a super fluke on it for FL?? What you think?

[@mikeybalzz]

That or try the Nichols JT Kenny mag ned

[@mattthomen1608]

Cool MikeyBalzz 👌, these are cool. I got a few scroungers this year, and i been using similar setups for my panfish, i dont throw em for bass, but if i do, i get bites. Just got the A mart soujin, and those jenkco trailers that wiggle good.3.5. Or jackall i shad, spunk shad too. And the clip, changing the clip size adds more wobble and rock , a tip from Brian Salzman✌️

[@basssolutionsoutdoors3856]

Great video bro thanks for freezing for us!

[@seatee4770]

The tip action of the rod is also another part of the equation

[@jeffreyrodgers5835]

That fast weird darty like retrieve is what has been working for me in central Florida and i always tie directly to the bait. I get best action on 1/4 oz original damiki plain lead head. Been my best bait since December other than an Alabama rig

[@justinmalone8640]

Sorry if this is a stupid question… what do you mean by tie directly to the bait? I’m in the same area. 🐊

[@jeffreyrodgers5835]

@@justinmalone8640 I mean no loop not. It makes for a lapse of contact on the strike therefore leading to many deeply hooked fish. This technique is so deadly here. They just eat it

[@justinmalone8640]

@@jeffreyrodgers5835 thanks brother! I’ll have to try one on a fluke and see how it goes.

[@TheTinHorseMonty]

Even The Tin Horse Monty has been talking about it!!!!!

[@JThompsonFishing]

You da man Mikey

[@pmm422]

Core tackle hover strolling heads

[@inaslump]

Get the deps midst Jighead if you want "Roll"...The line tie is turned sideways.....Those br heads are sold out everywhere till spring...

[@chrisjackson6115]

You try it on the tactical bassin guppie heads or finesse heads

[@RedneckViking]

Fish arrow flash j with a decoy spine hook. You add a tungsten nail weight in the head.

[@jason_ryan_fishing]

That Duo Realis looks money.

[@mikeybalzz]

Yeah man I think I'm going to do some serious damage ledge fishing season on it

[@youtubzkoz]

It is a combo bait. It's a jerk style stroll or a finesse stroll depending on how the flat part of the plastic is rigged. Flat side down is jerk. Flat side up is strolling. The tail shimmies ever so slightly.

[@mongo.outdoors5479]

Great video

[@mikeybalzz]

Thanks bro!

[@tylarcole3828]

Can’t believe you didn’t use the hover rig by Core! It’s one of the best.

[@jamesrose7657]

Good stuff Mikey, should have gave the Core Tackle Hover Rig a go.

[@mikeybalzz]

I actually got there 45° insertable weight hook not sure what the actual proper name is but that thing is badass on those downsized hollow body baits like a BassTrix

[@tylarcole3828]

@@mikeybalzz Core Tackle TUSH (The Ultimate Swimbait Hook) That is probably my only hook for swimbaits I use. They also have the hover rig for strolling and it has amazing glide and roll.

[@jamesrose7657]

Tyler is all over it. They are both really solid and the glide is amazing!!!

[@ryanhill7770]

Dude I've been seeing some of these Texas guys, or guys like Josh Jones catching em on scope with a plain swim jig no trailer and sometimes in Jones' case no weedguard. You ever tried that out here on Guntersville?

[@BigpapamoneymanMVPtypebeat]

Fishing logic: “ a swivel clip will be to visible/ make the profile to big , but a giant weed guard seems natural”

[@jeremycarpenter5550]

I use the palomar knot for all my riigging it just gets tighter and tighter .

[@lljustice2012]

How about the Rollin Strollin jighead by Queens Tackle

[@kevinbeaudean704]

Thanx Mike. Quite the sacrifice for dem green fish ah. You can sit down and pee today. Goog stuff though and thanks again.

[@alumcreekbassfishing2385]

Come on let's see those lake placid lunkers!

[@jordangourley3955]

I don’t really understand “hover strolling” I’ve been using small VMC swimbait jig heads with strike king 2.75 rage swimmers for years for northern smallmouth. That combo has always had a body rollback and forth that I have assumed was necessary to catch fish long before “hover strolling”. It’s been common knowledge around the Great Lakes that your swim baits have to have good roll.

[@5.7.0bassin2]

Thanks for the hard work.. it’s not easy getting into cold water and your man hood hit your stomach haha😅

[@mikeybalzz]

Hiding way up in my stomach bro LOL

[@5.7.0bassin2]

Haha I know it to well I live in pa so every spring/summer where ya think it’s swimming weather but the water says it’s not and you find out quick lol

[@bryandavismoviefan]

Wish you would have tried the jackall drift fry with that rubber lip to see what kind of roll it has.

[@mikeybalzz]

That's the thing though I know that one has roll I want to see if we can achieve that with a jig head using just about any plastic

[@bryandavismoviefan]

@@mikeybalzz ahhhh gotcha. So why wouldn't you just use the drift fry for the rolling action? It's built in instead of buying special jighead and plastic.

[@bryandavismoviefan]

@@mikeybalzz do you like the drift fry and it's rolling action?

[@mikeybalzz]

@@bryandavismoviefan you're gonna laugh but price point - the drifty fries are expensive - and i like the options of alot of the minnow baits available so if i can figure out some terminal that does the job i can run just about any plastic.

[@bryandavismoviefan]

@@mikeybalzz very good sir! Only difference is the owner cultiva doesn't have that many great hook size/weight combo offerings.

[@JStarFishing]

You look like Jack Palance in the thumbnail. 😂

[@pequenioedgarito3067]

What is this I see, Mike Balz? JDM tackle ? Come join the dark side! You cant go wrong with Bay-Ruf Japanese darting rig. Thats a game changer.

[@madmattfishing]

🔥🔥🔥

[@GarryMurray-i1y]

Best of both worlds would be a hollow bait and a tube style head with the eye situated on top. Up here we have been fishing light tube heads with just a tube through the water column instead of just the bottom for years. Try it or test it. Surprise surprise!! A secret? Maybe.

[@johnhill2298]

I'm curious what pound test?

[@mikeybalzz]

8lbs

[@johnhill2298]

@@mikeybalzz Thank you. I wasn't sure the pound test that will help! 🤙

[@benignohinojosa884]

My go to is the kietech tungsten ball head with the 90 degree line tie ! Gives the best roll from all the heads I have tried so far.

[@e4t662]

Dude, you look like Eddie Van Halen in the thumbnail, really.

[@mikeybalzz]

🤘

[@ronanoutdoors]

Bro!!! 🤦‍♂️ You have back dimples. 🤣🤣🤣

[@gary30229]

Back in LP Mikey?

[@tonyrobinson1623]

If you want the scrounger type roll, why not just make a 1/8 jig with a smaller scrounger collar.

[@beamer_extremer29]

Try it with a cocoho minnow

[@cameronschronk2360]

It would have been cool to actually see the action underwater Instead of talking the whole time

[@vasleygreen1346]

totaly agree, to mach useless talking

[@manuel13864]

What funny I been fishing this way since I was a kid and throwing small crank baits too I am 42 now think this funny now that people think this new 😂

[@Lanny-io9bi]

People are VERY easily manipulated into "new" techniques in fishing lol

[@manuel13864]

I been fishing a crappie jig that way forever throw it on the bank out in the open water to catch bass and catching 50 bass in a day

[@travisbruno1988]

Thanks for torturing your weener in cold water for some great bait shots

[@mikeybalzz]

Any time!

[@ADVENTURESOFBZ]

If my dog getting into freezing water don't put him over 100k subs I don't know what will😂😂

[@locodragon28]

Doesn't slow rolling and scronder head to the same thing

[@areddfishing7473]

No owner moon eye?

[@Chris_palmer1980]

This technique has been around for 20t years

[@youtubzkoz]

True but even deadlier with FFS. JDM guys said gambler shakey shad was one of the first baits used in this technique in japan. When it was called STUD instead of Shakey shad. A lot of dropshot baits are good for the stroll technique.

[@andyd834]

Thought the pink shorts meant you were in Florida lol.

[@KyleStjohn-lu6ew]

He is he pulled up next to me and caught a giant the other day

[@mikeybalzz]

That pool didn't feel like Florida LOL

[@mikeybalzz]

Was that you guys in the grass the other day?

[@mikegaston3170]

Bro !! you could have at least kept the shirt on ... Come on Man 🎣😄

[@butchstatham1521]

😂

[@robertwagner4375]

Jaw dropper....

[@secretbassrigs]

never walk into a cold pool. you have to jump in. it's the only way.

[@mikeybalzz]

Yep if you're going to send it you might as well go full send right

[@secretbassrigs]

@@mikeybalzz yep. Fear no band-aid. Just rip it off and save some time.

[@kevinbeaudean704]

Them Ballz drop back down?

[@butchstatham1521]

Please never make another video without all your clothes on. Thank you

[@mikeybalzz]

Well we may be working on another underwater video LOL

[@kevinbeaudean704]

All we ask is a heads up!

[@icefishing804]

Ned's have terrible hook up ratio

[@Malysandacz]

If would be interested to know how much US anglers are watching European fishing scene. Jig head + some pin tail or fork tail trailer is being used to fish for European perch here in Europe for years. Same for what you are calling swing head. We rather use Cheburashka which allows you to change hooks easily and this in turn is around for at least 20 years.

[@jtotherog]

Crappie fisherman and striped fisherman have been using this technique since reels were invented lol you know bass fisherman love to think they’re pioneers 😂

[@FiciousCritik]

Not talking like a stoned-out surfer dude. Herein, you sound like an intelligent ...MAN. GOOD!

[@Trump2024musthappen]

Great video , now send it to Randy

[@mikeybalzz]

Shots fired

[@eliothiam6446]

🔥🔥🔥