By Mark Fong
January 26, 2012
Ever since its introduction, the Gary Yamamoto Flappin' Hog has been putting bass in the boat for anglers around the globe. Available in two sizes, 3.75” and 4.5”, the Flappin' Hog is a great crawfish imitation. It is an incredibly versatile bait that can be rigged in many different ways and fished under a wide range of conditions.
The Flappin' Hog makes an excellent jig trailer on the back of a stout flippin' jig or as a complement to a lite wire structure jig. It fishes equally well on the business end of a Carolina Rig or as a punch bait. It is because of this versatility and the fact that I can rely on the Flappin' Hog to get bit, that it has earned a place in my arsenal.
Over the past year I have developed an affinity for a new jig head style - the articulated or pivot head jig. While the pivot head jig is available in a number of different jig head styles, my favorite by far is the football head.
The football pivot jig features two wire loops. The first loop is the line tie while the other loop is the attachment point for a free floating EWG style worm hook. While the football pivot jig can be fished in the same fashion as a traditional football head, the pivot allows the bait to move side to side and to deflect in a random manner as it contacts structure in much the same fashion as a crank bait. While crank baits are limited by their diving depth, pivot head jigs face no such constraint making them highly effective for fish living deep in the water column. I have found success with heads as light as 1/4oz all the way up to a full 1oz.
Of course the jig head is only the half of the equation. After much trial and error I have found the ever versatile Flappin' Hog to be my answer to the second half of the equation.
The Flappin' Hog features eight appendages including two large craw-like flappers. The appendages create the illusion of a live creature. A closer look at the Flappin' Hog reveals a series of ridges that disturb water flow and create additional turbulence as the bait moves thru the water. When targeting smallmouth or spotted bass I like to use the 3.75” Flappin' Hog. For largemouths or when I just want a larger profile, the 4.5” fits the bill. A little trick I use to add additional bulk and action is to add a number 11-series Hula Skirt. When rigged on the football pivot jig, the Flappin' Hog has a random triggering action that bass find difficult to ignore.
When it comes to how to fish the pivot jig, there are two different schools of thought. On one side of the fence are those who firmly believe that the jig always needs to be in constant motion and furthermore that motion needs to be generated by means of cranking the reel. On the opposite side are those who fish the pivot head using the movement of the rod to create the drag and pause retrieve that is common to traditional football head jigs. This debate is a classic example of how two different things can be equally true. Both methods catch fish.
After experimenting with both retrieves styles, I believe that the true advantage to the pivot head is the unpredictable motion it generates when fished in constant motion. Cranking or grinding the Flappin' Hog is not a difficult technique to master. Make a long cast and once the bait reaches the bottom, begin your retrieve. The retrieve is similar to slow rolling a spinnerbait. As the Flappin' Hog moves along the structure, try to envision the bait as it plows along, randomly moving about as it leaves a trail of debris in its wake.
When the fish are in a neutral or negative state, downsizing to a ¼ or 3/8 oz head and slowing the bait to a crawl can be the ticket for success. If this presentation fails to get bit, try upsizing to a 1 oz head. The heavy head will root and pound its way thru the structure. This is a great way to trigger a pure reaction strike. On any given day, the key is to experiment with the weight of the head, profile of the bait and the retrieve. Ultimately the bass will let you know how they want the bait.
Grinding the Flappin' Hog is an excellent way to cover water. This presentation excels on horizontal structure such as flats, long sloping points, or submerged road beds. It is important to pay close attention to your electronics. I am always on the lookout for any change in bottom composition, groups of fish, bait, break lines, or structure. On any piece of structure there will often be a key area, where there is an additional structural element that makes it the elusive spot on the spot.
As for color selection, I am partial to shades of green and green/brown. In clear water, plain watermelon (042) is hard to beat. However, there are times when the fish want a bit of flash. When this is the case I like to augment my base color with a bit of flake. I will rely on watermelon with black and red flake (208) or watermelon with black and gold flake (323) to provide that extra hint of color. I have found baby bass (305) to be a real sleeper in clear water. If the water has a bit of color to it, green pumpkin (297) is a good starting point. As visibility decreases further, I will move to junebug (213) and ultimately to black with blue flake (021).
As with any specialized technique, tackle selection is extremely important and has a direct bearing on success. I have found a fast action 7' MH St. Croix Legend Extreme Casting Rod well suited for the job. It has the right amount of tip for casting and working the bait effectively, the proper length to move line on the hookset and ample power to handle oversize bass. A low profile high speed casting reel spooled with 15lb Sunline Shooter Fluorocarbon completes the set up.
Whether you’re are a long-time fan of the Flappin' Hog or have never fished one before, give one a try on the back of a football pivot jig. You won't be disappointed.
