Scrounger Heads Catch Big Bass!

The scrounger head is an underused fishing lure that catches big bass! Give it a try!
LINKS TO BAITS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO:
1) Luck E Strike Scrounger - www.tacklewarehouse.com/Luck-...
2) Pulse Fish Lures Pulse Jig - www.tacklewarehouse.com/Pulse...
3) Jenko Tennessee River Tremor Head - www.tacklewarehouse.com/Jenko...
4) Castaic Jerky J - www.tacklewarehouse.com/Casta...
5) Zman Razr Shad - www.tacklewarehouse.com/Z-Man...
6) Yamamoto Zako - www.tacklewarehouse.com/Yamam...
7) Zoom Super Fluke -www.tacklewarehouse.com/Zoom_...
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I was born and raised in Chicago, but after working 12 years in the financial Industry regulating the futures and options markets at the CME/CBOT I decided to pursue my passion fishing professional tournaments and left my full time corporate job. At that point, I moved to Junction City, WI with my wife Sara and two boys Hank and Duke. I've been fishing professionally since 2011 and full-time since 2015. I've qualified for seven MLF Championships and won over a half million in tournament winnings at the professional level.

[@13thworker45]

The late Mr. Aron Martins believed in this bait. Thank you for bringing to the attention of anglers.

[@MattStefanFishing]

you bet!

[@shadybanks8625]

Great Tips Matt. I don't know how I missed this video. The Scrounger is a favorite bait of mine. It is a fickle bait bait that you have to rig straight as possible. One tip is to not have much plastic below the "lip". Rig and test swim before adding super glue and running a toothpick in front of the hook bend. If you do that I have caught hundreds on the same bait...usually a Jerky J or Spunk Shad....I keep both rigged. It seems like one school will want one or the other. They work in the Winter and prespawn too.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks

[@ryans8614]

Invented in socal in the 60’s. It was very popular in the 1970’s and 1980’s. I just purchased 6 of the original at a garage sale today. Here in Hawaii the old timers said to use curly tails. I’m not sure if the action is different from the original to the new ones being produced today.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@rvfishingyet]

Had to re-watch this one. Really want to learn more about this bait, how it can be used from the bank etc. Thanks Matt!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Bankfishindude]

Just got my first one, I’m pretty excited about throwing it in the fall! Thanks as always man!

[@MattStefanFishing]

good luck!

[@jersey4755]

Thanks Matt. Good luck in the tournament.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Thanks for those great tips!!👊🏻 Never tried them before because I really didn't know how to use them. Now I know and will give it a try!! Stay Safe & God Bless!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

go for it!

[@jjfig86]

Great stuff! Thank you for the information sir!

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet!

[@jasonprothero5697]

Thanks, Matt, Great lakes fisherman, I have just started this year with the scrounger always smallie fishing. THis helps.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Great to hear!

[@mookie84]

Great info as always. I love fishing flukes so this could be a great way to keep them on when the jerking bite isn’t on

[@MattStefanFishing]

NIce!

[@mattquinlan4629]

Hog Farmer makes some nice ones! Love a good scrounger/ tremor bite on the Castaic JJs

[@MattStefanFishing]

ill check them out

[@johnrayner5599]

Great info on a very not talked much about bait. I hope practice is going well and good luck in the tournament!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@iancameron198]

@@MattStefanFishing Matt can you send me a signed pic of you.thanks we bare footin Ian Cameron 24410 calvin Dearborn Mi 48124

[@robertcook8187]

Another good video thanks and good fishing

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks 👍

[@oldeschoolbob1022]

Thank you, Matt!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Sure thing!

[@andreoliverlaoutdoors290]

Thank you for the clarification I have always tried to use a boot tail swim date and didn’t think the scrounger head work as well as he said not realizing my motion was fighting itself , great demonstration

[@MattStefanFishing]

Happy to help!

[@tommybounds3220]

Thank you for the video.

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet!

[@terrytresemer2864]

Yeah I know it gets hot in VA. I lived there for a while, too hot for me. Like I mentioned a few days ago back then it was about the purple worm. Just hopeful your boat is back to stay! Wishing you the best of luck and a win to pay off the mechanic.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@sikamoreify]

Never seen a straight tail get that action on a soft bait. Almost generates a jointed hard swimbait action. That's awesome! I was looking for ways to fish the Berkeley Pro Series Twitchtail I had gotten and came across this after seeing a scrounger head recommendation. Great vids as always!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Roboworm99]

Originally designed as a saltwater bait here on the west coast in the 60-70’s. Had some in my box late 70’s and played around with different trailers Then Aaron Martens showed the world what he had been doing and it caught fire for a bit.

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@jasondaniels209]

Once again, awesome info Matt. Keep it coming. I love this channel. No joke it’s the only channel in look forward to watching all the time. Off topic Matt, I could use some help. Lake Champlain. I have a tourney this weekend and every weekend from there on. I can’t find em dude. I simply can’t find em. I’m on the northern end of the lake from grand isle ferry’s and up. Could you help me figure out the puzzle. I know it’ll be tuff from behind a phone and not actually being on the lake. I am buying the lake breakdown. Yeeyee

[@MattStefanFishing]

you can do it! the lake breakdown should help! some fish are still on beds right now. look for the rock/sand transitions on the north end and mid section of the lake. you can do it!

[@dariusking2927]

I use them all the time here on Kentucky lake and the Tennessee river l keep it bumping along the rocky bottom 👍👍👍👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

they work great

[@tngreenevfl2022]

Cutting the big part of a boot tail on a swim bait vertical works well to. Thx for this video I’ve been wanting u to do a video on this bait so thx again!

[@MattStefanFishing]

No problem 👍

[@LowBrowFishing]

I have a few scrounger heads that I rarely get to use because, unfortunately, they don't come through grass or slop very well. When I can, I do like to use it offshore in deeper water around submerged structure. And I have been known to put a skirt on mine and use a small fluke as a trailer.

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds good!

[@shannonkirby9295]

Never used one before. Might have to try one

[@MattStefanFishing]

go for it

[@mikeeller557]

Now I know what I was doing wrong, Thanks Matt

[@MattStefanFishing]

you bet!

[@SpookyRedz]

Love em too

[@MattStefanFishing]

Nice!

[@WFSmith]

keep them in your refrigerator if you store them for a long time. The cold temperature will keep the bill from turning yellow.I use the Lucky Strike ones and they turn yellow after awhile in the boat compartment

[@MattStefanFishing]

great tip

[@stevencochran4274]

I like the hog farmer spunk shad plus they look awesome on my chatterbaits

[@MattStefanFishing]

those are good

[@ct9737]

I’ve used it for ever in the spring and fall,Also after a cold front

[@MattStefanFishing]

Sounds good

[@jimtandlmayer9146]

I fish a shallow river using the smaller ones with a smallie beaver sideways , works great .

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@Southwest.Angling]

I've been curious about these, I'll be fishing lake st Clair a lot this season and you know as well as I do it's a lot of sandy rocky bottom. I thought for sure you were going to say throw it on spinning.

[@MattStefanFishing]

you can if you want. it works great on st clair

[@mgdwj]

I bought some today to try this weekend at a tournament.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good luck!

[@bigredbass7898]

Thanks Matt. I have some picasso and hog farmer scroungers to try. Ill have to break those out.

[@MattStefanFishing]

go for it

[@ScruffyCityFishing]

And just like that. I need 10 of these things haha. Was actually fishing with a guy last weekend who talked about vicious the strike is with these.

[@MattStefanFishing]

they are good!

[@jameswolfe8853]

I have been using these for over 30 years (primarily in salt water inshore fishing). 1/4 oz paired with a curly tailed grub is deadly.

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@ct9737]

Ala Aaron Martin 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@denniskeys8559]

Good information thanks I used a paddle tail the other day and your right on it dose not work I like a zoom motor oil 6 inch lizard it really makes the lizard look alive I hung a good bass and went to lip it and the hook came out on a lizard

[@MattStefanFishing]

bummer

[@jeffhalbert2818]

Good stuff Matt! In smallmouth country, what is your favorite trailer? What size head are you using based on depth? 3/4 oz vs. 1/2oz based on depth

[@MattStefanFishing]

both

[@CumminsMichael]

SSSHHHH! Dammit! SSSHHHH Matt!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Sorry

[@CumminsMichael]

Just clowning. Always good content Matt. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@jeremypatrick5213]

Wow I picked 1 up awhile back and haven't fished it yet but that will change in the morning my dad just retired and wants to get back into bass fishing so we're headed for 3 days of it.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good luck!

[@alanwolnik5658]

First like! Good luck this weekend

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@lloyds_fishingjournal]

Do you recommend a 7:3 gear ratio over an 8? I typically fish the CA delta where majority of our fishing is about 3ft - 10ft depending on the tide however we also are faced with vegetation through the whole entire river system.

[@MattStefanFishing]

with this technique a 7.3

[@fredrickg5697]

Nice video Matt. Was wondering if you prefer the scrounger head over a skirtless chatterbait head?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I like both

[@artvandelay418]

I love the action. It will definitely benefit angler in high pressure water. I'm a bank fisherman who fishes in ponds and dammed lakes. Weeds are a problem. Will this work for me?

[@MattStefanFishing]

if they weeds are not on the surface I think it could be worth a try!

[@artvandelay418]

@@MattStefanFishing Thanks for your reply. I’ll give it a shot

[@seizedcarcass8440]

I’m debating about getting into the scrounger. Specifically with stuff like minnow style baits or flukes.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Works well

[@johnnyweaver1300]

I hope your day has gone better than yesterday, I bought a couple In 1 pack, but the line would just twist, I used a jerky j as a trailer, you think a swivel would help?

[@MattStefanFishing]

it has

[@douglasspickler4925]

I believe it would be a good follow up bait for a topwater missed strike.

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep!

[@drock5404]

Can't remember what youtuber mentioned it, but they were talking about the snag resistance of scrounger heads and working them on bottom like a dying baitfish. Any experience with that?

[@MattStefanFishing]

they are relatively weedless

[@dhjhawk]

Have some but haven't really tried them out. Does the bill make it somewhat weedless? Seems like it would interfere with hook set. ???

[@MattStefanFishing]

sometimes but its not super weedless

[@motorcycledad2246]

Can you use them in grassy spots? Looks like the lip could make it kinda weedless like a chatter bait.

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep

[@studley4sure471]

Whats your thoughts on tying some maribou behind the head and lip for smallmouth ?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Give it a try!

[@jamesclifton474]

Do you remove the plastic lip from the jighead when not in use?? I have noticed it gets brittle over time.

[@MattStefanFishing]

i do not but they will mishape if stored improperly

[@Kctfishn]

Do you have probs with storing them so the bills don’t warp and make the bait spin or blowout on the retrieval?

[@MattStefanFishing]

yes, thats the only problem with them. the bills bend

[@kennethfilas7979]

Would a lighter one with a short bill be effective in shallow rocky conditions, say less than 6feet? Does the current hinder this bait in any way?

[@MattStefanFishing]

yes it would. current doesnt affect the bait unless its super strong

[@secretbassrigs]

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Users of the *GILLY SHAD* and/or *BELLOWS GILL* -- *Scrounger Heads* are what you've always imagined for your shad profile soft plastic swimbait presentations. You just didn't recognize it until now. YOU'RE WELCOME!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks

[@bassmedic]

I bought a few of these last month in sizes from 1/2 oz up to 1 oz. see Mikey balls use them on Guntersville.

[@MattStefanFishing]

theyre a great ledge bait

[@bassmedic]

@@MattStefanFishing I have a lot of steep bank lakes around me. That's partially why I bought some of these. get them down deep in the lakes and rivers.

[@swsexton1829]

Matt, I bought some Lucky Strike heads. After missing fish I pushed the bill back and it covered the hook. I was using the 3/4 oz with a Jerky J. After trimming the bill I started hooking up. Any suggestions on purchasing shorter bills?

[@mattquinlan4629]

Usually you can trim em.

[@swsexton1829]

Yes that’s what I did, I tried putting a 1/2 oz bill on a 3/4 oz head but would not fit. That was the problem with the first Chatterbaits, the blade would cover the hook point. Then they started using a longer shank hook

[@MattStefanFishing]

i personally like the shorter bills better. but you can trim them just make sure to make them even

[@swsexton1829]

That’s the hard part. My daughter is a beautician and I got a pair of her old scissors and I find they do the best job. BTW I enjoy your videos

[@tunit8946]

Is there ever a time one should choose a basic jig head over a scrounger? Good luck this weekend.

[@MattStefanFishing]

scrounger is a little more finessy

[@harahara10]

Under what condition, does a scrounged head outperforms a swimbait?

[@MattStefanFishing]

its more of a finesse presentation

[@jenlvjim]

Have you ever put this on the middle of the a rig?

[@MattStefanFishing]

nope sounds good!

[@damnitman1969]

Gotta stop makin me spend money

[@MattStefanFishing]

sorry!

[@beavisbrowne3497]

I have never used one!

[@MattStefanFishing]

give it a try

[@bossxsniperx9779]

How about pre-spawn shallow water 8 feet and under?

[@MattStefanFishing]

They will work

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺 I have a ton but their all skirted. With the “scrounger jig” I experienced some missed big bites. I convinced myself that the large scrounger head flap acted like a hook guard.🤷‍♂️ Since I did not notice an increase of bites from a regular jig I quit using them. Perhaps I’ll give them another try.

[@MattStefanFishing]

i prefer the short lip versions

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

@@MattStefanFishing 🍺noted👍

[@jamesbarron1202]

Have you found a brand of scrounger that the bills don’t rot and fall off?

[@MattStefanFishing]

unfortunately i haven't found one that wont misshape over time

[@jamesbarron1202]

@@MattStefanFishing the Lucky Strike Scoungers break and fall off. Maybe it’s this Texas heat.

[@drock5404]

Do you find the AMart designed heads worth the $ for the average angler?

[@MattStefanFishing]

its my understanding that A-mart designed the original scrounger. so i think they are just as good as the ones with his name on them

[@jessecooper9795]

​@MattStefanFishing A-Mart worked with Davis Baits for a freshwater oriented one. The design had already been in production for saltwater 20 years before Davis made theirs. Will Davis Jr used it to help him win at Lay Lake last year

[@ryanvernatter3537]

I have trouble with it spinning. Any suggestions?

[@MattStefanFishing]

your lip is probably bent out of shape

[@outdoorswithjt6652]

Does anyone make a scrounger hair jig?

[@MattStefanFishing]

good question!

[@ricksonora6656]

I’m a little confused. Yesterday, I watched a video in which the speaker warned against hooking plastics in a way that causes rolling. Does the best axis of wiggle depend on conditions or lure, or is it just a matter of the angler’s preference?

[@MattStefanFishing]

you dont want to hook it in a manner that makes it spin

[@caroferg8857]

I’ve got some jigs with that on them? I think?? lol now I know what to do with them… I think lol

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha

[@rippinlipsinc.2200]

Edwin Evers does some videos of lake map breakdowns. He picks a lake and breaks it down for Subscribers! Lake Chesdin in Va is my home Lake! Would be awesome if you could break this water down for me! Thanks!#Rippinlipsinc #LakeChesdin

[@MattStefanFishing]

Sounds good!

[@CumminsMichael]

If I thumb down this video, will it show up less as a suggested video in other folks feeds? 😂

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha

[@JLaird-ji1qr]

The timing of this video is ironic ……. Heading to chickamauga for a week very soon…… ordered some scroungers for the trip …… have never thrown them

[@MattStefanFishing]

slow roll on the ledges!

[@JLaird-ji1qr]

Thanks ……definitely appreciate your channel.

[@clayfarmer2160]

✨✝️😇🇺🇸✨

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@wolverinex4243]

There's a lot of things wrong with the scournger. 1. The blade deforms. 2. The blades are never even. 3. Not a lot of trailers fit and or swim well with it. 4. The drag or swing is unnecessarily needed much like a chatter. 5. They require a specific rod to properly work and handle them. The main thing to know is they were initially made for combing the bottom, which leads back to using bottom baits. It is unnecessary. A lot of the times they are best in the thick or woods, which equates to getting hung up with that open hook. On the bottom? They get hung up as well. Once you weigh these things and understand action, you need only the right swimbaits or a bottom/swimming bait. Therefore, I have yet to find a use or advantage in using one of these. People say otherwise, but I do better with other lures. I can only speak from my experience and expertise.

[@MattStefanFishing]

theres a lot of things great with it too