My Secret Old-School Early Spring Finesse Rig

[@to3ta64]

At 6min 44sec in I had to get up and check on my kids lol. Swear I was about to shout at both of them for being up this late, and it wasn't until after I saw they were both asleep that I realized it had to have been yours(kids/grandkids) in the background. Can't wait to try this rig down here in South Florida. Caught a nice 4.5lb bass last week. Saw bunches of them on bed, and none of them wanted anything to do with my soft plastics. I was reeling bait right past them and out of an hour fishing one finally took the bait.

[@rednissan96]

Im 62 and was using a version of this in the early 80's. I actually used a split shot. I used a barrel swivel about 15 inches up and my split shot above that, hop it off the bottom like you would a jig. You could feel 2 separate ticks..when the weight come up and when the worm snapped up behind it. I won many many tourneys with it ..day and night.

[@skipdockside]

Love starting my day here with a coffee. Thanks for helping me forget that its February in Ontario.

[@sha6mm]

Randy have you tried taking the piece of tooth pick you were not using after pegging the weight and shove it up the center of the worm by the hook. Gives it a little neutral buoyancy to allow the worm to move more naturally in the water.

[@danham3344]

Yup, a guy that had been bass fishing the San Diego area for 40 years taught me to sink the rest of the toothpick in the worm. 😊👍

[@doughensley9314]

Great idea, I’ve been fishing this rig for decades, always called it the mojo rig, there’s a cylindrical weight called the mojo weight that works really well, peg it with a rubber stopper. I’ve never thought of using the toothpick in the worm, thanks for the tip, I’ll try it at St Clair this year!

[@johnkruse5403]

Just caught this for the first time. Good stuff. Thanks, Randy!

[@matthewstrakna1537]

I caught my pb, an 11lb, 2oz largemouth, on a modified version of this rig using two split shots instead of a bullet weight, and a senko instead of a finesse worm.

[@zacbasssmasher8843]

My neighbor in short pump va drives a bridgeford foods van! Small world! Great content randy.. reach out when you come to the James/chickahominy

[@delmisbrown9675]

My High School coach was Charlie Campbell. He taught me this rig in 1972.

[@AFishBicycle]

Cool rig. Gonna try it later this week. Thanks

[@billpaden9423]

That's a good spring pre spawn bait. Back in the day it was called a Mojo rig. 4 inch French fry worm works great as well. Killer bait on lake of the ozarks. 👍

[@bryanventura157]

Hi Randy, that is called a mojo rig. We used rubber skirts to hold it in place. Split shot is a split shot from the 70's in CA.

[@johnkent9019]

Thanks Randy, your comments on the wind at the end were most interesting to me. Southerly wind = good jerk bait fishing, Northerly wind shuts it down. I wonder if you could share your thumb rules on weather, wind and seasons?

[@chrisboyd1408]

Thanks for sharing

[@gregstabryla9945]

Will be trying this out, after the ice is gone. Have seen it before, but with you saying it, it's enough for me.Thanks

[@danham3344]

Thanks Randy. I remember when it got its name because we actually used a split-shot. Used to work well in those ultra clear San Diego lakes and big bass would eat em too.

[@beast759]

Now I I only drop shot these lakes like poway and Dixon for the most part

[@danham3344]

@@beast759 , Yeah, I lived in Poway for 20 years and it was difficult to catch bass out of that lake. You could see double digit hogs in there but seeing & catching were worlds apart.

[@erniesanders3724]

Great tips Randy. Thanks from Western Kentucky.

[@TheJBROWN75]

I used to do something similar growing up on the farm ponds i fished because a swivel got hung up easier when fishing a traditional Carolina rig from shore.

[@johnhanley8708]

Great tip nice and simple It was nice to meet you Friday at PB2 hope you do well at the tourny

[@paulpreston7865]

One of my go to rigs i grew up in California fishing this split shot rig im now living in Arkansas on beaver lake continually catching fish.

[@craigstevens9734]

Look forward to all your videos

[@lesterreaper9696]

Thanks Randy going to try it!

[@johntalbert8890]

Sounds sweet. I CAN'T WAIT TO TRY IT ! . We are starting to have some nice days up here in Michigan. We will be down at Table Rock Lake the first full week in April. I will definitely will rig one up and try it.

[@tomselick6983]

This is becoming a go to channel for me, Keep posting sir 👍👍👍

[@WatchMeEDC]

This was one of the best ways we fished the clear water back in the day on Southern California reservoirs. We used actual split shots and did quite well. They are really good rigs with a Zoom Trick Worm to hold it off the bottom. Great vid, brought back good memories!

[@treymorey]

I used to use the split shot rig when I was a little kid in the 90s Southtown Had hand poured reapers and I tied those up on there. These days now that I’m older I pour my own reapers and put those on it. Time flies.

[@bobbyhogan9207]

Thanks Randy for the tip...starting kayak fishing at Beaver and going to give this a try.

[@dlok9563]

Split shot rig. I do like how you added the bullet weight to work through cover! Cool tip

[@brianperry4521]

Thanks for the video Randy. This is a great way to catch fish,, for kids or adults.

[@AcumenTV]

Thanks for another great suggestion Randy. I like trying technics that are a bit different than the crowd. Will try this in the northern Cali fisheries like Shasta and Lake Oroville for spots and smallies!

[@holdmybeeroutdoors223]

Thanks, Randy! Why not just use a split shot? Line damage?

[@iraregister7589]

Did you watch dustin connell's win at redcrest? He was jerkbaiting brush with active target. Very interesting watching how the retrieve he had to use trigger the fish changed subtly throughout the day. He also had to stay way back from the brush or they wouldn't bite at all.

[@lakratlowry]

i fished with randall hudson a few times back in the central pro am days and this is one of the very first techniques i taught my boys! very simple and it will flat catch fish!

[@memikecraig]

You are an absolute gold mine when it comes to Bass fishing information. I love your videos and you have been a huge help to me preparing myself for the spring here in Northern Illinois. The video that got me started with you was the tennis elbow video. My father in law suffered from that pretty bad last year because of fishing and your video has helped him a ton. Thank you for that. Between yourself, Matt and Tim from TacticalBassin, and Brian Latimer, I have no reasons to watch any other fishing videos on KZbin. Cheers on getting close to 20k subscribers. I'm sure that's just the start for you.

[@louisianag]

Congrats on 20k today I think you'll hit at 19.8k it shows. Found the channel at 3600 or 3300 subs I believe the growth rate of your channel is about to explode you'll be at 50k this year

[@jamesbuchanan8131]

Planned to write the same comment until I saw yours. Couldn’t agree more. Love the channel. Good luck in the tournament Randy

[@jeffniebanck6387]

Thanks for reminding us of methods we shouldn’t forget about!

[@bpow1983]

Great tips, thanks.

[@gregwilliams4201]

Great tip Randy going to give it a try thanks.......

[@mikestephenson4800]

I use the same set up as you do but I use the 4 inch Zoom Dead Ringer. Dip 1/4 of the curly tail in chartreuse dipping dye. You can catch every bass there is under docks. They will come out from under the dock to eat it. Secret technique for Kerrlake Biggs Island

[@RiverBassTv]

Randy, your tips are always helpful! Appreciate what u do.

[@bobbyswain7049]

Good stuff Randy......will try this soon

[@joeyhewitt7724]

It is a popular rig in the small tidal rivers around here and back coves of these rivers. Some also call it the “wimpy” rig. Used with split shot lead instead of bullet lead.

[@tdoc6635]

Hey randy I started using this rig back in the early 80s the worms we used and I still use to this day were called green wienies ( bought them 10 lbs at a time) the only thing I changed up is I switched to a piece of rubber band pulled into the sinker instead of the toothpick, I'm still killing them with it today.

[@alananderson2961]

Awesome video 😊

[@MadMaxx89]

Loving all the tips randy thanks for sharing

[@jacklowe3788]

Thanks for video!

[@ralo4265]

Good stuff Randy! 👊🏼💯🇺🇸 Thanks for the tips my friend!

[@danield.4569]

Awesome Saturday morning video!

[@robertpaszkowski5603]

Great info

[@muskogeefisherman]

I'm here after seeing the FTM videos. Good videos so far.

[@patrickmahoney3479]

Great tip. I use thill slip float knots (yarn) on the sinker. It allows you to adjust the leader length.

[@KeithRedd]

Big fan Randy, I live on Buggs Island and very familiar with the back of Grassy. My question about this would be, why not just use a bobber stop?

[@brennanroyalty6664]

Thanks for the tip. Will try this at Lake Cumberland.

[@Moosedigger]

Thanks Randy. Hey, I am going to st clare the first weeks of June this year and staying up at the north end of the lake, about 4 miles up the river, near the ferry. Can you do a rundown on best spots (on the American side) and lures? Thanks

[@eagleeye9549]

I grew up on a river and that is a similar rig that I use on lakes today, nonetheless, i use a split shot up about 2 foot from hook. I would cast up the river and let it go with the current to the place that I want to go. So I try tomatch the speed of the current, so sometimes a smaller weight or a heavy one. I used to use the toothpick before too. Great tip!

[@edwardcowan7012]

Pre drop shot I’d fish that everywhere I fish a drop shot now. I’ve won spawn tournaments with that rig too.

[@josephhrnciar9376]

Great stuff as always Randy!! Thank you as always!!

[@michaelcanning2815]

Thank you for all these tips & mods videos Randy! Give me more ammo on my pressured lake this year.

[@souniert]

Great video!

[@davidgee3768]

Thanks Randy. Why never skin tag the hook back in the worm to help keep it weedless ?

[@dclark583]

Thanks' Randy

[@djradrs199]

I have some 28 yr old toothpicks in my box..( THEY HAVE TO BE ROUND TOOTHPICKS). ( FLAT DON'T HOLD) I got away from split shot'n only because i've got away from the basics ...& also watching to much OOOO SQURRIEL you tube video I gotta try that / I gotta buy that ... and buying TOO MANY things i never get good at throwing / presenting my bait .......back in the day out in central Calif lakes it was Split shot'n Texas Rig spinner bait crankbait & dart head'n a yamamoto grub..... now I have 8 bait caster rod combos & 2 spin cast combos & 2 crappie rods ....my response is a year after this first aired BUT ,,, never too late to get back to KISS'n It ... ( keep it simple stupid) Thanks for the Reminders !! :-)

[@donprater2754]

One of my favorite set ups!

[@251reeling9]

i always watch your vids randy i know you spent hella time on the water, i appreciate your vids.

[@aarongreenlee7867]

I can't wait for our kayak fiahing tournaments to start here after ice out. I am looking forward to refining a bunch of the techniques and putting to work the tips and advice you have shared. Congrats on 20K subs!

[@brandona9173]

Really enjoy these videos.

[@mikegardiner3934]

Great finesse rig Randy. I’ve been a subscriber for a while and just want to say, I love your channel and all the tips you provide. God bless!

[@DonnMorency425]

That is the rig for me up here in Michigan. Except some times (most) i use a 3” tube.

[@stag3t-muspsa910]

Thanks for tips...I subed...also .MO...GUY...right on..I live in ofallon mo...I fish ozarks and lake nor fork all the time

[@danielwood5510]

Awesome technique! I'll give this a shot this week, our lake is in the 48- 50 degree range and 2mrw will be 70 air temps and overcast

[@stevegerber835]

Will try, thanks.

[@elizabethphipps7939]

Thank you Randy!!

[@timothyfarrington484]

Thank you so much for these tips!

[@dant8213]

I like to use a strike king z too or a caffeine shad with this rig too it works great 👍. Thanks for the tips

[@SJBassin]

I use this setup but the only difference is I use a rubberband not a toothpick. Good video as usual.

[@jamescaspersamanthalintner4767]

Caught a big today and wrecked them! Ice is gone and the water was 45 today here in sek, small lake fishing ! Amen pre-spawn!!!

[@sbaner5]

20K! Moving up in the world. Congrats!

[@johna9991]

I used to throw that a lot ..but the muscles were Slicing my line maybe I need to pick it up again... I forgot how many fish I caught on it

[@backyardfence8398]

They used to have rubber stops that was like the toothpick. I think it was hot out west years ago

[@danham3344]

They still sell those. Work pretty well.

[@dondieselfishing4748]

Don Lovino was really known for this Technique. I personally like a much lighter weight but it's a fish catcher that's for sure.

[@br4dleyrd]

Congrats on 20K Randy! Keep up the great work 👍

[@fishing_amy]

Great tips

[@jasonmoyer743]

great tip and content!! thanks randy

[@bevo7729]

Yes split shot and mojo rig came out same time circa 1989-1990

[@bobdavis7853]

Good stuff Randy, Thanks for sharing. 🎣 I know you have had your skirt tool a long time. Where can I get one similar?

[@jackbass9673]

Love these tips.

[@pj3p488]

just how many secrets do you have? Thanks for sharing

[@emilianobanzi9432]

Great Randy! in just one day +400 subscribers! Tomorrow hope you'll get 20.000

[@llEverydayCarnivorell]

This is exactly how I fish my Chompers twin tailed skirted grubs! It works perfectly

[@bmacme9938]

That 3/16 weight is perfect for a Texas rig if you can get away with it. You can still cast effortlessly with a bait caster decently far.

[@alanreyes29]

Those fenisse worms are the deal when the bite gets tough a d the magnum

[@josephmannix5120]

Idk if you have but you should do a vid on the damici rig it's killing them in tennessee right now

[@juanchaves2971]

Would there ever be a time when you would use a bigger worm, like a 7.25" worm? I pour some bigger baits and Im thinking that would be a unique presentation to try a really big worm like that.... I guess you could experiment and see

[@clghidra]

Shit, man, it’s 652a here and i just called my wife’s phone 6m 50s into ur video because I was sure I heard my kid yelling at her upstairs 😂 pretty sure it was either your kid or your cat or parakeet or something 😂

[@backyardfence8398]

Wasn’t this called mojo rig back in the 90s?

[@richardbossman9875]

Basically the Split shot/Carolina/Mojo rig are the same thing, just the specifics like which weight is used and how it is held in place differ. I know the Mojo rig I am familiar with uses the long pencil style weight and is held by rubber threaded through with the line.

[@danham3344]

@@richardbossman9875 - yes accept the true slit shot rig is a fineness rig with NO clackers or sound creating gear.

[@steveshaclumis8716]

Randy....just like guessing weights via pics,,,,that str8 tail worm appears to be a lot longer than 4in?

[@gabrielhadad3130]

great info, thank you, ain't they call this split shot?

[@christopherwatson283]

Have You tried It with a Swivel out in front with the Weight in front of the Swivel so the Weight slides still? I like Power Baits. I assume Those are Infused Flavored Worms, too. When Power Baits came out I found out that Bass love Tetramin Fish Food. They will swallow Them quick. I had a lot of swallowed hooks with Power Bait Motor Oil and Green Pumpkin.

[@letun3481]

Mojo rig, love it!

[@bleak1514]

Thanks for the tios

[@kindywoodandiron1756]

I used to throw this rig a lot back in the mid to late 80’s. I had no idea it was a rig it’s just how I rigged it so I could get my worm out. Lol