These are Changing TEXAS Rig WORM Fishing FOREVER

In this video, we put the Texas rig worm to the ultimate test with some exciting and unique alternatives. Join us on Lake Guntersville as we try out a super popular tournament bait discussed by Alton Jones Jr. to see if it truly catches more fish. We'll also be testing the innovative Geecrack Bellows Gill and Raid Hira Tailor-two extremely unique Japanese soft plastic lures. Will these new baits outperform the traditional Texas rig worm in catching bass? Watch to find out!
Gear used
Raid Hira Tailor bit.ly/3RSwqNL
Geecrack Bellows Gill bit.ly/3LvQvpH
Texas Rig Worm Setup Halo XD III 7 MH bit.ly/2ZJMLtP
Shimano SLX bit.ly/3logztn
Tungsten Worm Weights Hawg Tech bit.ly/3srNsD4
Owner Worm Hook bit.ly/2UAdxDE
Epic Power Pole Accesories bit.ly/3MJJnYn
How I Store my Worms and Chatterbaits bit.ly/3jGRiJv
Grab some MB gear and hats bit.ly/4cn381M
Use code MikeyLikesIt and save 25%
#TexasRigWorm #BassFishing #GeecrackBellowsGill #RaidHiraTailor #AltonJonesJr #LakeGuntersville #FishingGear #FishingTips #FishingReview #UniqueFishingLures

[@benwilkey2060]

The Bellows Gill looks great on a belly weighted swimbait hook (also with a screw lock). The pop and fall looks SO good. That being said, I’ve never gotten bit on it. 😂

[@raybrenneman7240]

I’ve been using them on a swim jig and a skipping jig. Try trimming down the skirts to almost half the material and density leaving just enough strands to simulate the flaring of gills and side fins. Action is great dragging and hopping or swimming it. The jig eliminates the spinning and the hook is well exposed and trim the weed guard to your individual need . Bass really hang on to the bait giving you plenty of time to hook set

[@teamskeet129310]

Swim jig was exactly what I was thinking with these baits. I’ll probably pick up a couple of both styles to see how they do. Sweet video tho like the honest reviews 🤘🎣

[@kasonf2176]

I’m a jig man, and i got some in the mail yesterday. This is exactly what ive been looking to figure out. Thank you very much

[@erikecklund8481]

I have been catching them since 2021 on the BellowsGill. I use the 3.8 on a Fusion 5-0 swimbait hook with the screw-lock. Usually I fish it weighless and twitch/snap retrieve it in grass.

[@jeffreyrodgers5835]

Just what i need another rabbit hole.

[@fjc8900]

😂 right

[@DownLow64]

Exactly lol hell yea!

[@bcm1892]

Love that 3.8 bellows gills for pitching into laydowns and any other kind of hole I can find. I use 3/0 ewg jungle hook and never had an issue with hook ups. I picked up some of the newer bellow shad but haven’t got a chance to use them yet.

[@maxcole3930]

My 2 favorite of bellows gills is 5.8" & 2". Yeap on the screw locks. I use weighted & non weighted swimbait hooks with screw locks. The baits last pretty long that way. I use 2" on drop shots & small ball head jigs.

[@ronfeltonfishing]

A good trick to stop the bait from slippery down the hook, is to put a bobber stop on the hook after you hook the nose then hook the body. Works well.

[@vincentlivoti4184]

Mikey, you got to try those on an owner screw lock hook. If they rip the bait, there used to be a tool that I believed Zorro bait made called the zap it. It was basically a battery-powered soldering tip that you could weld the plastic back together or you could also create crazy Frankenstein type baits by basically fusing different parts of different soft plastics together to make custom stuff.

[@geezersbassin2567]

I just picked up my first pack of the Bellows Gill but haven't used it yet. Thanks for the video to save me some time with rigging and using the baits!

[@tjm12995]

the hira tailor gets absolutely chewed by the bigger ones, havent tried the bellows gill but definitely looking to pick them up, thanks for the killer content as always mr balzz 🤙

[@antongoatlord6860]

Been using the Belows since Muninore brought them into Iapan import tackle. Nose hook them on a bullet jig with massive natural appeal around rocks & wood. Free weight on a wide gap hook & I super glue them to the shank near the eye. C-Rigs & swinghead ran at a fast pace has increased my bites as well. Fish luv a new treat. Thanx brahman 🤘🤘

[@tomkaravites4049]

Those work really well on a Free Rig

[@mattfast7006]

Free rig all day

[@scottharvey2392]

The Bellows are great on the Ozark Rig from Core. I love the Shad size on a screw lock size 3, as well. Great bait, just hate getting the tails bit off!

[@bretfuller9208]

In Pa, I’ve been throwing the Bellows Swimmer on a Beast hook. Just bumping it across the rocks on bottom. But they do tear up easy. The first bass that bit it, threw it off at the boat, and with all the salt, it sank before I could grab it. Durability is in question, but they also get bit.

[@DividedWeAllFall]

I think I saw a vid about them making them in elastec or whatever now. But I noticed the same thing.

[@thequixoticangler3364]

Yep. Bellows Gill. Nasty sh*t. Extremely effective.

[@garyplowman5838]

I have never used that type of bait and I definitely want to pick up a few of those baits to try them up in the state of Maine for Sally's and Larry's when I go to the cabin on my vacation. Thank you for showing how they work 👍🏻

[@alanrasmussen4097]

Try the Gimmy from Bottom Up. It is similar to the Raid bait but the body of the Gimmy is segmented and gives it a semi springy action. The Gimmy is amazing on a swim jig, I imagine those baits would work well on swim jig as well.

[@tims_always_fishing7117]

I've been using the tanuki and it's putting in work! Gonna try some geecrack one of these day. Thanks Mikey

[@kurtbjork231]

Hey Mikey sweet video, I just gave your dad a flat top hair cut at my shop in minocqua, I just bought a 16 foot mirrocraft aluminum boat your videos got me pumped up to go catch some fish, tell your dad I'm watching your videos, thanks Kurt

[@mikeybalzz]

hahahha that's awesome!

[@IRONMIKE_D]

I just ordered some. Thanks for the recommendation

[@ziggylarkdust]

The raid makes a great chatterbait trailer as well

[@TheTDH64]

If you’re gonna use them for t rigging you gotta get the elastic versions of these! I have them in every color of the bellows shad they offer and they absolutely destroy them here plus I can use one for weeks on end without tearing up. They also released bellows gills and bellows sticks in the elastic form this year too

[@BadKarma.-]

I didn't know one existed haha

[@johngosline7990]

I use them on a 1/4oz cps hook, 3/0-4/0 with a dab of super glue hooping it off the bottom or skipping it under socks and trees. Weightless on a 3/0-4/0 cps hook working it like a fluke worked for me to, killed it in central FL and now up here in MI, fish not having ever seen them is def a big part, I’ve never seen anyone else using them, they are a bit pricey but reults don’t lie

[@bamadondon0495]

The bellows gill Neko rig oeg system is the deal as well .. Neko rig that sucker...

[@jackstein5486]

They definitely balled up on the hook set. You might try an owner center pin light swimbait hook in 4/0. Did u try hooking it sideways? Interesting product!❤

[@Showmethefish]

I punched with the G,..in 15' deep hydrilla to the top mat here on a small lake in East Texas....killedum man ! I like them

[@Lsmoe]

Been using That Ozark hook . Works even better! Geecrack Worms are crazy too. Bass love them some Crack !! Lmao Companies now make them made out of Elaztech. They last longer. Is it me ? Or do they smell like peanut butter !!

[@brucemckinnley5272]

There's a screwlock hook by Owner, that's normally used for frogs, works well on these baits....otherwise pin the baits through the eye of hook with 25lb momo. Enjoy your Videos, keep up the good work 🎉

[@ericglab1630]

Use an Owner weighted Beast hook. Swims like a flounder.

[@jackhowell7088]

Brother is the grass bad enough that you have to take the push mower with you, I see it in your truck. lol Great review bud

[@jeffpruitt9711]

Been wanting to pick some of these up. Looks like an awesome pitching bait on the TVA in buck bushes and around shallow cover, normally use a magnum Rage bug. Also want to try if on a ball and chain.😎

[@joelberelsman6374]

Awesome chatterbait trailer

[@LucidoMafia]

I haven't caught on the bellows gill but I have caught them on a bellows stick drop shot. A lot of people don't fish them a lot here in Japan

[@randallford8199]

Thanks!! I've got blk/blue I'm gonna try. Wish me mondos😊😊

[@retflo2583]

I saw where in Japan they use the Raid bait as a Jig trailer, I have yet to try it...

[@markschettler4993]

I've had some luck with the Deps Bull Flat on Santee Coper, the hook sliding down the bait is an issue. I'm gonna try the screw lock to eliminate.

[@erikcortez23]

I learned the hard way, i lost a few the first time, once i used the screw lock i was golden, highly recommend the screw lock… hopefully that helps because these aint cheap

[@rogerdudra178]

Greetings from the BIG SKY of Montana. Nice lookin bait.

[@user-nq5mz1tf5o]

Mikey...use a 4/0 EWG with an o-ring to keep the nose of the bait from sliding down the hook on the GEECRACK...I do this on rage bugs too and it saves a ton of money on plastics ✌️

[@tims_always_fishing7117]

Owner screw lock hooks work better

[@patricklambert5622]

Use Owner Haymaker hook!

[@501Bassin_SWarb]

Tell em! 👍🏽👍🏽

[@charlesthomas5926]

I could tell you mike about some wicked stuff rigging up the raid hira tailor that's my go to right there nobody's using it and it catches giants

[@dgroves85]

The new TPE material version ought to be really good.

[@Joshua-p7w]

These are great baits to use on a Free Rig as well.

[@vincentlivoti4184]

Mikey try Tokyo rigging , jika rigging it or even a drop shot. Being even just a water current moves, the body might be killer on one of those rigs.

[@nancyzipperer8819]

I been fishing that geecrack gilley for the last 2 years my second cast on Okeechobee I got a bass

[@donprater2754]

Man those are definitely different.” Thanks Mikey

[@maxcole3930]

Yeap the bellows gills ar awesome. I've been fishing them a while now

[@GRILLBUOY101]

how many per bag& price.maybe better in early spring before all the grass

[@archtx9]

Updated version of the old Zipper Worm

[@Michaeldpress14]

I weightless texas rig the big 5.8 bellows gill and it gets hammered in east Texas

[@F.Ronnie]

Thanks Mikey.

[@XxNiteStockerxX]

Now try the Thunderhawk lures Grenade. It’s like Zman plastic

[@joebee1459]

Zappu makes a EWG hook for the bellows gill

[@ChandlerJennings-y4c]

Gotta throw the EWG and you won’t lose em🤝🏼

[@jimwarden9617]

4:33… Balled the hook. Hey Bog!

[@mikeybalzz]

Yeah I definitely need to run a bigger hook

[@MrCalamiteh]

@@mikeybalzz I just use a 3/0 EWG (Usually superline because it helps the plastic stay together) and have no issues with that. 4/0 also works great. But I prefer EWGs for sure. Just got my first fishing kayak with some 2d sonar and am fishing worse than ever due to the learning curve. But having a blast. I definitely respect your ability to find them! Good luck with those Geecracks (and try the shad sometime if you want a smaller profile, they also work great on a scrounger which is pretty hilarious. ) You're 100% right that they shimmy when reeling them in. I've caught a 7lber on an underspin with one of these, tight lining it on the way down a ledge. Super fun lure. You can also walk them like a frog. Sometimes I do a double twitch to get that during the fall weightless, and it'll go from a flat fall to a left and right twitch, back to a fluttering fall. A 1/32 Nailweight in the top 75% (directly below where the top of the hook will rest in a texpose) makes it fall nose first at a 45 degree angle, and it will spiral on the fall that way, around the nose. A lot like a dead fish. Lots of variety you can do with these.

[@mikeybalzz]

@@MrCalamiteh dude those are super great tips thanks for throwing me some juice good luck with the kayak and the sonar it takes some time but it pays dividends in the end

[@db9818]

@@MrCalamitehdid you go from boat to kayak? Definitely a different game but really fun, I use my kayak way more than my boat now.

[@MrCalamiteh]

@@mikeybalzz For sure man! I just had a great day yesterday morning with that same idea. 3/0 EWG superline with that 1/32nd nailweight. Also got my first fish on a squarebill, tons of fun there. I actually used your idea of burning the Bellows Gill for that tail twitch and pausing it, and got a nice 4.5lber with that strategy. Burn pause, burn, and right as I paused he hammered it. I've always shore fished and this is a really fun way to get at the spots I enjoy fishing. Hopefully going to keep getting info on offshore/grass stuff you do! I would say those are my weak points. Thanks for the reply man, good luck out there!

[@richardholovaty9028]

Have you maybe tried that on like a larger drop shot maybe?

[@royharness211]

Use the neko hack med for 3.8 to 4 and large on 5 inch

[@ronfeltonfishing]

I tried them with an EWG hook. They seem to rip easily.

[@firemanstephen]

Mike, try free rigging it, big difference on fall.

[@martinpena5614]

If you don’t already have it, get you some mend-it I fix all my plastics 3-4 different times

[@501Bassin_SWarb]

Zappu makes a hook specifically designed for the bellows gill. I personally haven’t purchased any yet bc my haymakers work fine but the bait does slip on those too from time to time and something I’d like to fix. I really wish Shaw didn’t make the eagle claw HP’s so hard to find. Been wanting to try those on a Bellows.

[@tims_always_fishing7117]

You try the gama skip gap hook?

[@501Bassin_SWarb]

@@tims_always_fishing7117 no, but I like your thinking. I think I’ve got some. Gonna try.👍🏽

[@tims_always_fishing7117]

@@501Bassin_SWarb try the mustad assault with large owner spring locks ,I got 5 on 1 yamatanuki today. Tight lines

[@Fishboy68]

Wedge tail

[@FRANKO-iu3dx]

try the swivel trick.

[@vansaukam799]

Excellent on the free rig as well...

[@GRILLBUOY101]

guess callin your fish a crackhead is ok yeah 😂?

[@ZomPaul2113]

I still have a helicopter lure LOLOL

[@krustysurfer]

Water/lake dependant im guessing

[@simonphoenix3789]

i dont get how that hook is able to set in the fish's mouth when it is buried inside the bait like that. I always thought the hook point had to be exposed for it to consistently hook a fish..

[@jetfuelg4083]

Try the 5.8 bellows stick in place of your senkos

[@mikeybalzz]

Will do

[@jordonpratt2604]

I have taken the skirt off my old chatterbaits and put the geecrack on it and absolutely slayed them

[@WaterWondersMedia]

🧠 knowledge is 🔑

[@josephwilliams8464]

Try on a beast hook, unweighted and weighted versions

[@garrettv.3239]

I know it’s expensive, but flip a 3.8 bellows on your 3/4 rig in Florida lakes. EWG not needed.

[@mikeschulz5070]

I have a few bags and still never used them.

[@bryanknatz6067]

Did you try and skip them yet? Would be interested in seeing how they do

[@royharness211]

Eli right them save your baits

[@NickyRoads]

Just get em off temu. Ordering them for 10 dollars a pack of these websites is crazy. Especially when the site is probably getting them at 20 percent of what they're charging

[@rickymaynard4880]

Got some off Temu...fixing to try them!

[@darkhorsefive0]

Figure out a way to wacky rig that GeeCrack and abduct some pond bass! Hmmm.

[@davidnelson2790]

Weighted swimbait hook heavier weight works better.

[@markwarren3535]

These are the BEST if you use attractants. Holds it much longer. Especially the thick stuff like Bait Fuel.

[@tonysmith6320]

I like them, but the bluegills bite the tails off.

[@pietervanniekerk3776]

Fish the Bellow stick baits make a vids on that

[@Bassrespecter]

Belly weighted wide gap like an owner flashy swimmer will prevent that twisting and let you drag and swim it over the grass

[@GRILLBUOY101]

yes its flat like a sunny.lol.ecoensive though imo

[@timmontano8792]

It sounds like these particular soft plastic baits would have been better if they'd been made with Elastec rather than plastisol.

[@Daiwa_Is_King]

Gee crack just dropped the elastec style

[@abelgomezjr9157]

These have been out for several years.

[@rossespinoza768]

Wedged tail

[@binyaoutdoors]

Twist lock hook makes a big difference

[@sheamartin911]

Looks like that would kill on a free rig

[@TheAcenightcreeper]

Looks like a yoto worm from 5 years ago….

[@mrp1224]

It’s a Yoto worm

[@smelltheglove2038]

Yoto worms are my go to chatter bait trailer. They work so well.

[@user-ey2te5vs3z]

They work but for the price of them there are equally good baits with better durability that also get bit. I can’t justify paying that kind of dough to have the bait ripped on smaller fish.

[@racerxv6valvoline424]

dude!!!! Are you seriously catching fish on these things....Guess it kinda resembles a slug.......way cool video

[@iamblackrob]

I have them and they fall apart too fast.

[@rodneyrumph3470]

it probably looks alike a dead or dying bream

[@Phildo530]

You would not have lost that fish with a screw lock widegap just sayin

[@zachsowa1699]

Reminds of a leech

[@binyaoutdoors]

I hope none of the guys i fish tourney against watch this

[@jakelightford3740]

It's a ring worm