This Unknown Technique Is Starting To Catch FIRE With Bass Anglers!

[@davelerner8461]

Hey Matt, I actually caught a 7 lb. largemouth last year on a z-man micro jig paired with a TRD, an even smaller profile than the Keitech jig. And it was on 6 lb. test Invizx on a medium-light spinning rod, I felt lucky to keep that fish hooked and get her in but thrill of a lifetime for me, I'm just a weekend warrior so it was special indeed!

[@WIDEawake419]

Incredible way to catch em! I've been having success too on the micro dirty jig/TRD. This combo is on my boat year round and I found out about it through Matt's video last year.

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@406fishing9]

One of the weird combos I’ve started running up north is a 7” ribbon tail worm on a chatter bait. Awesome action in the water

[@DoctorSess]

Interesting… very interesting

[@neilgwinn7378]

Going to have to try that.

[@te2934]

Been doing this 💯 recommend

[@MattStefanFishing]

I like it!

[@phillamoore157]

I second that. I actually cut a majority of the worm off, and left just enough to thread onto a finesse jig. Those ribbons are generally so light, it takes VERY little movement to get a good action out of them. One of those trailers that once you see it in action, you can't figure out why more people aren't using them. Another happy accident I learned from is the Gene Larew Biffle Bug They have a very unique tail on them, that has a nice action that requires very little movement to get them to look good, once you modify the bait to have a slimmer profile, or remove the tail altogether. They look absolutely spectacular on a jig with the shape/movement of that tail.

[@adstross]

I just got a top ten in a BFL as a co using this setup. Ended up giving my boater a couple mid way through the day because he hadn’t fished one. Can confirm it catches smallies, largemouth , and spots.

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺Thanks Matt. I enjoyed your appearance on BTL. You were kind and professional when talking about Ben👍. He’s one of if not the best with his electronics, puts his time in, well spoken ( just like you) and is just as capable with numerous other techniques as he is with his big baits. Milliken was my Bass Open pick this season and you were my MLF invitational pick. 🤞

[@MattStefanFishing]

i love doing BTL and wish Ben the best of luck!

[@mikegardiner3934]

Great tip Matt! The first time I heard about this was Mikey Ballz talking about it on his channel a while back. I know he’s using in Florida. I have yet to use it on Lanier but plan to because it’s some thing those big fish don’t see often. Thanks!

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@DavidSlocum-z9h]

Thank you Matt. I look forward to giving it a try!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@kalel1020]

I see great minds think alike. I thought i was the only one. I came up with this exact rig using zman trd, skirt and an offset ewg so i could skin hook weedless. Definitely works great

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good stuff!

[@bassnbuckbillyb824]

Larry Nixon used to do this back in his hay days.Shhhh🤫Matt!I use this with a big magnum worm,with live rubber jigs.Matt ya should see the ones we catch on the Tn river with this!I personally like a big auger tail/ribbon 10-12” worm on 5/8-3/4 ounce jig while fishing the ledges.👍🏼👍🏼

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds good!

[@ReelTaino]

It does work! Used it roughly two years with half of a senko and caught some nice smallies here in WA.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good to hear!

[@patrickmahoney3479]

Great tip! I tried this on a finesse jig and immediately caught fish on a highly pressured lake.

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@jasonrutherfordbassfishing]

Bro your season is on fire!! I hope it continues to be highly successful and man get the “W” already!! Great vid, juice as always!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Let's Go!

[@neilgwinn7378]

Thanks Matt. I remember you did a short video on this before but I kinda forgot about it. Thanks for reminding

[@MattStefanFishing]

give it a try!

[@comfortablynumb9342]

Here's my question. Does that Z Man soft plastic react with the jig skirt material? I've heard that their plastic melts together with other soft plastics. But the skirts are another material so I just wondered if they react together. I suppose if they react you can take the trailer off when you're done fishin' so they don't touch and melt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

i believe some will react. plastics as well

[@LtPickles]

The skirts are silicon and I have never had one react with zman

[@Finners_Fishin]

I got on a awesome bite in a creek flipping a punch skirted stick bait on the outside edges of grass and pads! its a go to for me now!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome

[@mrstackracks1189]

Been fishing that in Texas sometime use the smaller profile to target smaller bass from the bank

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@dong8307]

Great tip. Also, enjoyed hearing you on BTL. Great job at Eufaula.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@willtraveltofish]

Got my pb LMB on the 3/8 keitech finesse football (green pump/black)with Ned trailer (green pump). Identical to your cover photo. 👊🏼🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good stuff

[@DannyBrozowski]

Great video and Yes, it does work!!!! Hate to be that old fisherman who says he’s been doing this from way back when, but here I am!!!😂😂😂 Years ago I started using my broken or cracked Senko style plastics as trailers on various jigs for bass and walleye. That “no action” tail is killer!!! I’ve used the same trailer on buck tail jigs for smallies and walleye with great success!!! Dragging them with a football head is crazy effective on hard bottoms!!! If you haven’t tried it, like Matt says, you need to add it to your arsenal!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome

[@foxden469]

I remember an in-fisherman episode from about 35 years ago where AL was progressively up sizing his lures on a school of fish. He ended with a big jig with a 8 in Berkley sand worm on the back to catch the biggest fish in the school.

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@jholl7339]

Started doing this about two years ago. Success has been spotty.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@chadmay9533]

I started throwing a 1/2 black jig with a 5in inch paddle tail worm with big success.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome

[@edwardwicht5271]

I tried it in winter, along with a swim bait, just to get a little action while dragging it. Didn’t have any success, but everyone else’s success is inspiring me to keep at it.

[@MattStefanFishing]

give it another try!

[@reginaldzwart2643]

Been using that technique for quite some time now and it's really good for largemouth. But I seen to get more bites on a big TRD instead of a regular stick bait.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome!

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Great video!!! Thanks for sharing those tips!! Will give it a try!!Stay Safe & God Bless!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@shawnriebe4547]

Hey Matt. Congrats on another great finish. AOY!! Good job on BTL too!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@rodcashman4793]

Matt that really looks different. I'll have to give this a try. I know back in the early 80's if you threw anything different I really worked. Thanks for sharing 🎣 👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

go for it

[@jameskim2007]

Learned this from Greg Blanchard. We use the small keitech with zman Ned worm to catch big largemouth in NorCal.

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@DEADKING624]

Great tip ❤🎉❤thanx !!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

You're so welcome!

[@The_Bass_Stunters]

Stick bait on a flipping jig on the bottom has been a hush hush banger for a while! A guy that fished tournaments fished back in the 90’s showed me this and damn is works!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@wolverinex4243]

Yeah, that's what I found out on my own the other day when I found a jig and a french fry separately. It just makes sense to pair them. Looks cool. It was a purple french fry so it looks extra nice.

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds good

[@johnrayner5599]

This sounds like an awesome technic and I will be giving this a shot this year, us jig guys are just not used to seeing that profile for a jig but I bet it will slam them!!!

[@jddarby007]

It does! I did it a few years ago just to try something different.

[@johnrayner5599]

@@jddarby007 Thanks for the info.

[@MattStefanFishing]

go for it!

[@bcurnutte8528]

Can't wait to try this jig

[@djjackson4592]

I have been using a rig like that successfully. I ordered Boss Stand-up FB head jigs in green pumpkin that I put my custom made skirts on. Since the reservoirs in which I fish are loaded with blue gills, I create skirt patterns that mimic them. My trailer of choice has been a 5” YUM dinger in a color called bream, which compliments the skirts. I usually take about an inch off the dinger before threading in on the jig-It gets bites!

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds good!

[@southernspeedsolutions2845]

If you're in Ross Barnett, I did this last year for my pitching stick and it spikes reaction in the pads

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome

[@rv1020]

Thanks Matt. Need all the help I can get.👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

you bet!

[@willperryman4559]

Hey Matt, I love those keitech tungsten jigs and the TRD in North Carolina, and I am glad to see you and Matt Pangrac on BTL keep up the good work 👍😎✊🍀🎣🍀

[@MattStefanFishing]

Right on!

[@johnbutler307]

Matt thanks for the tips

[@MattStefanFishing]

you bet!

[@stevesteve4350]

Great BTL today!!! Thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@tomperry7345]

Great tip Matt, thanks !!

[@MattStefanFishing]

you bet!

[@kentbrown5369]

Matt I started fishing a 1/8 oz jig with a wacky rig TRD on it last year for large mouth on highly pressured lake. I absolutely crushed them with it, and I started catching better than average fish with the biggest being a little over 8 pounds. It’s something about the way the TRD moves as it is falling that drives them crazy

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome!

[@trumpking4874]

A skirted jig?

[@MailmanDownEDC]

I’ve always used Crawfish trailers on my Jigs. I’m DEFINITELY going to try a stick worm on my Jigs. Thanks for the tip.🔥👍🔥

[@MattStefanFishing]

go for it!

[@stevekeen7035]

Good video. Ive been using a general and a yum dinger as a jig trailer for years. Works well. Ive tried and caught fish on everything as a trailer from pork frogs to magnum speed worms to ol monster worms. All will work at certain times.

[@MattStefanFishing]

solunds good

[@8608films]

I've been doing this for years but on full size jigs with a cut in half senko for largemouths I'm on the west coast CA delta is my home fisherie but never thought to downsize to a smaller package

[@MattStefanFishing]

Sounds good!

[@karolbeachy5277]

Hey Matt,kustomkicker jigs make a power ned head that is skirted like a jig.look it up!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@josephcolunga894]

Going to give it a try in Texas and will let you know how it went. Just found a new spot !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

good luck

[@retflo2583]

I will try it on the CA Delta in coming weeks, thanks !

[@MattStefanFishing]

go for it!

[@peterspratte4859]

First outing of the year last weekend up here in MN, Green Pumpkin Purple was the deal with a Pb&J TRD.

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@joshwhite8055]

These East Tennessee guys have been throwing a used and ripped Senko on the back of a Ball head Eakins Jig for years . Especially on Norris Lake . Those Smallmouth up there gorge on Tennessee Sculpin . I think this bait presents a next to perfect profile

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@savedbygraceoutdoors]

I’ve been using stick baits as trailers for bladed jigs.

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@ToddReuterOutdoors]

That hoodie is sick, Matt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks

[@jrsfishingchannel8082]

Been doing this with a beast coast sniper jig… also been putting the tail of a berkley maxscent hit work on the back of a tightrope jig.. both work well on the smallmouth …

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds good

[@gospideygo8781]

Nice - I love the Z-Man TRDs (big and small). I’ve been using them on jigs for a few years and they work great. Some guys on the West Coast call those cheater jigs because they work so well.

[@MattStefanFishing]

interesting

[@philipwilliams6648]

Split the tail down to about 1 inch making 4 tails. KILLER

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@Bankfishindude]

I’ve heard wacky rigging it is something they haven’t seen also! Thanks Matt 🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep

[@bobbybass1944]

That does work, and I will also wacky worm with the same jig and worm with awesome results .

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds good

[@desert-timber-outdoors6577]

Been doin it for a while. Figured it out quick when the ned rigs got popular haha

[@MattStefanFishing]

Nice!

[@chriskalna7589]

What rig for 3/8 and 1/2 oz jigs. What line?

[@MattStefanFishing]

7'3 MH fast action 10-15lb fluorcarbon

[@simplyscholar21]

Xzone makes a MB Fat Finesse Worm. I like to use them as free-rig baits for smallies because they have a flat underside and the tail floats, but it's also killer if you take off up to the egg sack and throw it on a football jig. Never tried a TRD, probably would hold up a lot longer. I'll have to give it a shot.

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds good!

[@cerebraltackle]

Dammit Matt...you're doing it again! I just tied one of these customs up on my channel a couple of weeks back!

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha!

[@cerebraltackle]

@@MattStefanFishing literally! It's like you're in my brain! 🤣🤣🤣

[@ernieowens742]

Cool video Matt

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@ericc8790]

Zoom trick worm makes a great jig trailer… and also on a chatter bait. You can chop it down and make it shorter when you want it that way.

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@georgeshreadiii8537]

Congrats on another made cut!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@mikeeller557]

Thanks Matt,

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet!

[@jwm2588]

I haven't tried this, but I have wacky rigged a senko on a jig and had success with it. I'll give this a shot this year. One weird thing I tried last year was combining a ribbon tail worm and a tube. I threaded the worm onto the tube jig head, so the tail would stick out of the tube. It actually ended up being pretty successful.

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@genelavigne3711]

I can't wait to give this a try

[@MattStefanFishing]

go for it!

[@acecolby5545]

Some of my biggest fish have been on a large jig with a large trickworm. Use somethin that floats. The tail will stick up off the bottom.

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@robertcook8187]

Great information and tips thanks and good fishing 🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

you bet!

[@robertball2460]

I take a 5 inch hula grub and cut off the tails along the body line and fish on a ned head. It creates a similar presentation but the hula skirt movement is a bit different versus a jig. Different is sometimes good.

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds good

[@toptoad7149]

Was that a Hayward area lake that is circular?

[@MattStefanFishing]

maybe

[@opinionatedviewer7730]

I've thought about this a few times off the water but never ON it. I'm gonna really give this a shot this year instead of my traditional trailers.

[@MattStefanFishing]

give it a try!

[@bronzebackbilly9034]

I really like your channel and sometimes I don’t! This is one of those times I don’t!! Lol

[@MattStefanFishing]

haha!

[@richardblake4777]

Another item to pick up good one Matt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep!

[@blackhillsbassing6167]

Great tip and idea

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@tonygreen4356]

Something I'm going to try here at the Lake of Oazrks

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@theamateurangler6273]

Nice finish at Eufaula bud! I had you on my fantasy team

[@MattStefanFishing]

Nice!

[@toddsegravesfishing]

If you haven’t, you should definitely try the Beast Coast baby dozer jig. It’s quickly replacing my Keitech tungsten jigs.

[@neilgwinn7378]

I was just looking at those yesterday. I think I’m going to get a couple

[@MattStefanFishing]

ill check it out

[@michaelsheppard4227]

I have used the heads from keitech for years but where are you getting that skirt? My only problem is finding smaller skirts.

[@MattStefanFishing]

its a jig they make

[@michaelsheppard4227]

@@MattStefanFishing I just order the tungsten football heads and add my own skirt but it's hard to find one that looks that good on it.

[@icheckraise]

Need one of them hoodies! Does it really need to be a football? I really only use ball head and 6th sense hybrid.

[@MattStefanFishing]

no

[@SirVivalDotKom]

The Power Ned lol… Threw it for the first time last week for largemouth. They definitely like it.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep

[@meldahl28]

Shout out to Greg B ned jig has been hitting out here in Cali

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@_Lt__Dan_]

been on this in Cali for years. can’t believe this is just being talked about now.

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds good

[@LowBrowFishing]

I've been using a stick bait on the back of many types of jigs for a few years now. With a skirt, skirtless, wacky rigged (stupid rig) , etc. To me, it's almost like a more heavy duty version of a shaky head and I fish it almost like I'm using a shaky head. I can't tell you how many fish I've caught doing it. Seems like it's something I'm always going back to.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@rvfishingyet]

Another solid presentation with the Ned! Thanks Matt. How buoyant is the general compared to zman?

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome! general sinks

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

The heavier tungsten football gig that way. But I have thrown the TRD on a micro finesse jig. Which I guess would be just a slightly smaller version of this. But always looking for something that the Smallmouth really like

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@chrisboyd1408]

Looks awesome 😊

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@RobertPoortinga]

Working well!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good to hear!

[@normanwiggins1320]

That's a great tip that I'm for sure going to try. We always have money for big smallie along with the 5 you weigh-in in our club. Could give me the edge for big smallie also

[@MattStefanFishing]

give it a try!

[@CoosaRiver]

nice hoodie

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@jonn6427]

I wonder how it is for walleyes.

[@MattStefanFishing]

give it a try!

[@pequenioedgarito3067]

I used this bait set up last month, March when water was like 45 degrees. Only thing caught was seaweed salad. No bass. I will give this set up another try in April once the weather gets better. Its been wierd in Northern Illinois. Last week was 80 degrees. This week we are back to the ice age.

[@MattStefanFishing]

crazy

[@maxcook00]

Maryland has been that way too! Warmed up to 80, caught 1 largemouth on a chatterbait with a rage swimmer. Now it is 33 and snowing! I guess I won’t be fishing for another week or two.

[@dualthreatoutdoors]

For the 1/2 oz Keitech jig and TRD, do you throw that on a spinning or baitcast setup?

[@MattStefanFishing]

baitcast

[@dualthreatoutdoors]

@@MattStefanFishing sounds good; I will try that!

[@bobbyhogan9207]

Great tips as is your custom Sir 👊😎

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks 👍

[@raybrenneman7240]

3 small tweaks I do cause I’m fishing water 10’ or lake or river is 1/8-1/4oz tungsten head and zman fattyz with bait fuel. Zman floats tail up and sometimes we catch a dozen bass on one bait. I use the full 5” fattyz for smallies or largemouth plus in the Wisconsin River also caught walleye catfish even musky when they kept their teeth off my line.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing!

[@PhotosinMotion2U]

What lb test line and type of line do you recommend? If I had to guess, maybe 12lb fluorocarbon? Up here in Michigan the biggest large mouth maybe 5-6lbs.

[@MattStefanFishing]

15 lb fluoro

[@bassinRN]

Definitely will give this a go🤘

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@dadgonefishing7448]

I was thinking recently of trying to put TicklerZ on a football jig. Now I have an incentive to try.

[@MattStefanFishing]

go for it!

[@TimEdwards-sx2pq]

Dear Matt I didn't know that was a secret in 2003 a buddy of mine and myself experimented with every kind of plastic you can think of on a jig like you're saying and found so successful to the point of getting the largest fish caught in his tournament I was helping him pree fish

[@MattStefanFishing]

That’s awesome

[@bbar369]

Been using this little secret with keitechs for about 5 years for big smallies and largemouth. I got two buddies that do it. Other than that no one else knew about it

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@afronprime51]

been doing it on an arky head and half a stick bait. for about four or more here in Florida. Even in open water, just go lighter.

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@ArisaemaDracontium]

I live down the road in Madison and the lakes here are chock full of weeds. I mostly use swim jigs and flipping-type jigs since you can pull those through the weeds easier. Will this work with those style heads or will they not stand-up right? Also, will the ElaZtech melt a jig skirt if stored together?

[@MattStefanFishing]

you can go to a streamline jig profile