Downsizing your Terminal tackle for flippin’
By Tim Landrus

We all know as the popularity of Bass Fishing continues to grow, the pressure that our local lakes and rivers receive gets even greater. Although this popularity makes our sport that much more exciting, it sure can put a damper on the fishing. One tactic that I have changed in my fishing arsenal is “downsizing my terminal tackle for flippin”. Now, I know you are probably thinking “what”? But, this is one change that will defiantly assist you in picking up few extra fish throughout the day!

The most noticeable change that I make is with the weight. By changing from a lead or brass weight to a Tungsten weight you can almost reduce the size of the weight in half! I prefer to use a 3/16 oz. as long as the conditions allow. The appearance of this weight is that of a split shot, but because it is made of Tungsten Steel it is much denser. My brand of choice is by Penetrater Weights. Their small size and special coating allows them to perform better than a “large weight”. Plus these weights are smooth bored for easy pegging and will not damage your line.

Next I will try to downsize my hook. I will do this by either going to a lighter wire hook or using one size smaller than I normally would. I prefer to go down one size so there are no worries of straightening the hook. My choice is a Gamakatsu Wide Gap Red Hook. I am a firm believer in Red. As I said before if I would normally use a 4/0, I am going to change to a 3/0. If I would normally use a 3/0, I am going to change to a 2/0, and so on. Those are the two sizes that I use most of the time. By using a Wide Gap Hook, no matter what type of bait you are using, you will not have to worry about losing a fish due to an under size hook. I have yet to lose a fish because of this.

My baits of choice for the combination that I have just discussed, are either a Mizmo 6.5” lizard or a Mizmo 4” Big Boy Tube. In early spring, I prefer the lizard in either Green Pumpkin or Junebug color. Most other times I am throwing the Big Boy Tube in Green Pumpkin, Black Red Neon or Watermelon/Red color. I try to keep this part of the equation very simple and chose my color by the water clarity. The clearer the water the lighter color bait I choose.

The other area that I will try to downsize if conditions allow is my line. Under most circumstances I would flip with 20lb Sufix Elite. However, with this application I will go down to 17lb Sufix Elite. Because of Elite’s exceptional durability and superior tensile strength, I am allowed to make this change. This is one area that you would not want to downsize if you were not using a premium line, like Sufix Elite.

The one area where I make no change is the Rod and Reel. Because I have not downsized weight only size I am able to continue to use my heavy baitcasting equipment. My rod of choice is a Castaway XP3 Titanium Series Mag7, which is a 7’ Heavy Action Graphite Rod. My reel is a Quantum Tour Edition PT (TE1160PT). I feel this combination gives me superior sensitivity and control of my lure.

I am sure by trying this application you too will find that you are able to minimize the amount of splash when your bait enters the water. This will assist at getting the fish to concentrate on your bait and not your clunky terminal tackle. You will soon be putting more fish in the boat and enjoying our ever growing sport, Bass Fishing!

Good Fishing and please remember always practice safe boating, wear your Save Phace Mask!

Tim Landrus is sponsored by: Bass Cat Boats, Quantum/Zebco, Castaway Graphite Rods, Save Phace, Mizmo Bait Co., Sufix Fishing Line and Penetrater Weights – contact Tim at timlandrus@mchsi.com