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in the submerged grass and you’ll spend more time removing weeds than catching fish. The split shot technique with a Mojo weight is specifically designed for this situation. Using a straight tail finesse worm, the rig just slides right through the thickest of grass patches.
To rig the Mojo weight you will need pegging material and a threading tool. Thread your leader line through the weight, then with the threading tool gently pull the pegging material through the weight until there is a little sticking out both ends. Cut off the tag ends of the pegging material, careful not to cut your line. Depending on how much pegging material you used, you might be able to slide your weight into a desired position after it has been pegged. Tie your hook on, and attach your choice plastic.
Cast out and let it sink to the bottom. Lift lightly and slowly drag over the top of the grass, let sink and repeat. When you feel a bite or tension, reel down and side sweep. The hook set is important because you are fishing light line and the light wire hook. Pretty simple technique that catches big fish hidden in vegetation that otherwise would evade you.
DEEPER STRUCTURE
Bass are also known to go deep to cooler water, and hold tight to rock or other deep structure. This is when the Carolina rig with a Mojo weight shines.
Rig the Mojo weight and hook the same as the split shot, but the way in which you fish it is different. This is also when other soft plastics such as lizards, brush hogs, creature, curly tail worms, etc. are used. Think of this as a finesse Carolina rig, because you are still using light tackle. Generally the weight should be
12
6 to 10 inches
above the
hook.
Unlike
the split shot,
you are going
to want the
weight to keep
contact with
the bottom at all
times. To do this
simply drag the
weight by slowly
sweeping the
rod horizontally, reeling in and continuing to
sweep until
you’ve reached
the end of your cast.
VERTICAL STRUCTURE
When bass suspend near vertical structure such as docks, utilizing the drop shot can capture key bites.
For this technique you are going to peg the Mojo weight below the hook, opposite the split shot and Carolina rig. Using a Palomar knot to tie the hook on, threading the tag end back through the eye of the hook allowing it to hang free. Then you peg your Mojo weight at the bottom of the tag end. Finesse worms are most popular for dropshotting.
Cast right up to the vertical structure, or just past it if possible. Let the weight sink to the bottom, watching your line, as some bites come on the fall. Once on the bottom, shake the rod without moving the weight and let sit. Shake, let sit and repeat, reel up and cast to a different location.
By using the Mojo rig, you don’t need the multitude of weight styles for every technique. Just stock up on different sizes of the Mojo weight and you’re good to go. The shape of the Mojo weight aids in its ability to slide through cover and vegetation without as many hang-ups. It is also unlikely you will lose the weight compared to other styles. Think about adding a Mojo weight to your arsenal, summer time finessing your go to techniques can get you those few extra key bites.