Brush Hog lures.

[keithdog]

While at Gander last night I picked up a package of the 6 inch Brush Hogs, watermellon green/red flake. They are actually the Gander Mountain version of the Brush Hog. I've never used this particular style of softbait. I have one question. I've noticed looking at this type bait that the two front "loop legs" I'll call them, are attached at both ends to the body I'm surprised they are not small swimming legs. Or are they? Am I supposed to seperate the end of the loop from the body to give that little leg some swimming action? One other thing I thought of. After the front end of these baits get torn up from use, I'd bet the back section would make a great trailer for a larger jig.

[Jim80]

I would separate them Kieth , any of that style bait that I have used the front legs have been able to move .


Jim

[BigBassin144]

I rarely use brushogs, and only owned one pack before the KY Lake event, but I've never separated them.

BB

[Raul]

You are supposed to do with the bait what you want Keith,

1.- you can fish it as it is,
2.- you can separate the arms,
3.- you can remove the arms,
4.- you can remove the tails leaving the flippers and arms
5.- you can remove the flippers and arms leaving the tails,
6.- you can remove the flippers and separate the arms leaving the tails

and so on, there is no "right" or "wrong" way, it´s a matter of creativity and what you want and think will be the best profile for a given situation. Also, there´s no "right" or "wrong" way to rig them. I fish mine and rig mine in a lot of ways and they all catch fish.

[TnTom]

Use them both ways.

Sometimes the cover your fishing is easier to penetrate with them cut but I really prefer un-cut. If I'm using a 3/4 oz. jig and I'm flipping it doesn't seem to make any difference on penetration and I use them un-cut.

Water clearity can also help you decide. Dark and low vis I cut them, and think maybe they are a little more detectable. In really stained water I've noticed more action actually cutting them at the front, same effect as reversing the skirt on your jig, more vibration.

Raul said it.

Make them work for you.

[aikenyounggun]

Originally Posted by keithdog

One other thing I thought of. After the front end of these baits get torn up from use, I'd bet the back section would make a great trailer for a larger jig.

DING DING DING, Great thinking, they are great trailers......

On the leg thingys, you can take them off or separate them, but I usually keep them the way they are. When I do change them I take of the long twirly legs. Hope you catch a big one.

[Bassmagician]

I use ZOOM Brush Hogs a lot. One thing I like to do is use a 5/0 wide gap, texas/skin hooked with no weight in shallow cover. I pitch it near cover, let it fall to the bottom give it a few seconds then twich it, repeat untill I find where they like it. It has enough weight that casting it is not a problem for me with bait casting gear. If it's not falling fast enough I add a clamp on bullet weight. I have to agree with Raul, its your lure fish it however you want to,what ever works. Thanks for the idea on cutting the front legs that gives me somthing to try, that is a great idea.

[keysd13]

Cut the "flippers" down the center to give the bait more action on the fall. Normally I remove appendages as the bite slows.

[muddy]

I use Alluring Brush Bugs, 4/0 EWG hook and usually t rig them ,weightless. In mid summer I also put them on Slider heads and smaller football jigheads

[gonefishin3]

I love brush hogs! Pumpkin watermelon purple flake and just watermelon and jitterbug are my favorites.

[Mac2]

Cutting the leg loops at the front where they join the body will create a slightly more frantic flailing than cutting them at the back joint. Some cut the tails the long way to get more action and some cut a V shape out of the flippers at an angle to emulate claws.....

[BeaverIslander]

Cut the nose-side of the loop from the body to get the most action out of these.