Anyone else have absolutely no luck with these? I always hear how great they are but I'm not sure I could buy a bite if I have one of these tied on. I've tried them t-rigged, c-rigged, weightless buzzing them on the surface, jig trailers, etc. Only fish I've caught with one came on a drop shot (also happens to be my only drop shot fish ever.)
You've been casting them into the wet bit, not up the bank right?
Had good luck with them, even in the creek. Keep trying.
They work well here in Florida. Also try rigging them backwards as Dave Mercer shows in this video. I know this video is not about the pit boss, but the technique Dave shows here still works for the pit boss just the same way:
Skeet Reese designed the Pit Boss lure. Here is his video explaining it:
Hank Parker also loves the Pit Boss. I could not find the exact show he exclusively used it on to post here, but here is a Hank Parker clip discussing winter time lures. Unfortunately in this clip he did not get to the pit boss, but you can see the package is on the work bench in front of him in this next video:
Great bait for an even better price. There are so many ways to rig it like you said. Just keep throwing it, you'll get bit, don't worry.
Be patient and good luck.
Um, use something else? There's no shortage of plastic shapes, sizes, colors, brands. That is my advice..
They are my favorite "beaver" style flipping bait, for many reasons. Besides being reasonably priced, they catch fish as good if not better than any of the other baits of this style that I have used in the past.
I am a big fan of the Pit Boss and am surprised you haven't experienced any success with them!
I like the Papa Pit Boss the best, and it seems that big bass do, too! I wonder if they'll come out with an even larger one?
Tight lines,
Bob
I haven't found a way they wouldn't catch fish so far. When I'm flipping weeds the only bait decision I have to make is what color Pit Boss I'm going to use.
No Luck with the Pit Boss ?
Not a magic bait but unless you're forgetting hook, it's pretty hard not to get at least a few on it.
A-Jay
I'm in the same boat as the OP. I have never caught a fish on it. It got to the point where I gave them all away or sold them. I bought a mold set this past year that had a pit boss mold. I made myself a bunch in certain colors that always crush them on a private pond. These fish rarely see baits. I used it for 2 hours without a bite, 2nd cast with a 702 craw, fish. I actually just put the mold on ebay last night. No idea why I couldn't catch fish on it.
I only use them when when flipping or punching but they are my second most productive braver behind the Fishog beaver
I whoop them with it. All three sizes have their time and place. Very versatile bait and cheap too!
The Pit Boss is a killer bait. I like to rig the 3" on a light T-Rig with an 1/8oz jighead on my spinning rod.
So far they haven't worked for me but they will get another shot this year.
Allen
I agree, I have no idea how someone could NOT catch something on them in areas that hold fish at least. A friend uses one year round (black/blue) and he has caught fish on it from March through November.
I also havent got the bite off these yet. Granted I have only tried out the Big Texan color which usually does well at certain spots. I will be giving them a run for money this coming year though.
Green pumpkin T rigged is probably my second favorite soft bait besides the senko wacky rigged.
Make sure you're using a big enough hook? Kinda a chunky bait.
Tried them some when they first came out with no luck. Going to give them another shot come spring.
I catch a ton of bass texas rigging the pit boss. The only color I use is green pumpkin.
I tried the pit boss without any luck, but I didn't have much better luck with the sk structure bug either. I'm going to give them both a lot more use next year. I need to try both on a swinging football head and see how that works for me.
Wow these baits are deadly for me. T rigging them actually kills it. My only guess for you is that you might be using a color they're not interested in. I think you can't go wrong with green/green. Also when t rigging work the bait slowly.
On 12/19/2015 at 12:17 AM, Arobb2012 said:I tried the pit boss without any luck, but I didn't have much better luck with the sk structure bug either. I'm going to give them both a lot more use next year. I need to try both on a swinging football head and see how that works for me.
I don't fish the Pitboss, nor do I like the RI Beaver baits. They just don't do it for me....I think my lack of confidence in them is my biggest problem as I know they are great baits for a lot of people. The SK Stucture Bug, I only managed a half dozen fish on this year, but only got to fish it a few days and 2 of the 6 were 4+lbs so I can't complain there. The SK Bug should work great on a swinging football head, tried that out a couple years ago with the Biffle Bugs and was pleased with the results.
On 12/18/2015 at 10:42 PM, Indiana Bass1 said:I catch a ton of bass texas rigging the pit boss. The only color I use is green pumpkin.
Are you throwing them like a typical Texas Rigged worm or are you flipping then into cover?
Don't give up on the Boss! At the very least, put the bag up and pull it back out during the next pre-spawn if you need to build confidence in them. Texas rig it like you would any other plastic and proceed to annihilate them.
I do not like them, i feel they are too tough for even good hooks and the action is not that great, just my opinion though, Good Luck!
You have to remember that this would be a more suttle bait, like Skeet Reese mentioned in that YouTube clip. The appendages don't flap as violently as a Structure Bug would. Maybe the fish you throwing the Pit Boss to want something more aggressive, like a SK Structure Bug, or a Rage Craw/ Chunk. Personally I use both the Boss, and the Bug. Just depends what they are in the mood for. Just a thought to consider.
I used to pitch/flip them into heavy cover a lot and really loved them. I use the Zoom Z Hog more now mostly just because it lasts a little longer with a 5/0 straight shank flipping hook. But overall I think the pit boss is great, it works really well on a local highly pressured muddy water lake.
Yeah there are always different ways to use lures but I use the pit boss for what it was designed for, flipping and pitching. At the time its the only bait I use for this method. I used to use beavers but the fact that they have no action always put me off a bit. The pit boss fit the bill perfectly. I love the action they have on the fall. Since switching to the pit boss I actuall find myself doing more flipping and pitching. Its an excellent bait for that application.
4" Pit Boss in Vampire Orange here T-Rigged 4/0 punch hook with cheap Jewel Bait Hole Punch Punch Skirt in Missouri Craw color has been good to me. Weird weather we have been having I have had to hit them on the nose with it practically fish it slow slow slow lift n let drop seems to work. I do like the Green Pumpkin and I have used several white and blue colored ones called Molten Craw. Heck of a deal on them at TW right now like $1.75 a pack.
Saw the Jr size today and they look like they might be good weightless for wading for smallmouths. I kinda want to try them rigged backwards without weight like that Cover Craw video.
On 12/16/2015 at 12:00 PM, Chance Brown said:I only use them when when flipping or punching but they are my second most productive braver behind the Fishog beaver
Same. Have yet to find anything that competes with them punching. They don't hang up at all falling through the weeds or pads and have a ton of action under the canopy.
Tackle Warehouse just had them for half price which is almost free. I ordered a bunch.
On 12/28/2015 at 12:06 PM, Mosster47 said:Same. Have yet to find anything that competes with them punching. They don't hang up at all falling through the weeds or pads and have a ton of action under the canopy.
Tackle Warehouse just had them for half price which is almost free. I ordered a bunch.
I did the same I just reordered some of my more go to colors even some I wasnt low on. Ill share with friends at that price.
Love this bait, black and blue, green pumpkin with purple place
Pit Bosses don't work and you shouldn't order them on TW....... especially in the colors I want.
On 12/28/2015 at 6:00 AM, HoosierHawgs said:Saw the Jr size today and they look like they might be good weightless for wading for smallmouths. I kinda want to try them rigged backwards without weight like that Cover Craw video.
+1. I just ordered a bunch of packs of the little ones.
Tight lines,
Bob
I've caught fish on them every way I have tried so far. I have caught them on a stand-up shaky head jig, Texas rig, weighted swimbait hooks, and when used as a jig trailer, all in green pumpkin. And I suck at bass fishing. Keep at it, use them around a lot of cover.
Try the smaller ones on a Rage Rig ,Works great around rocks,Smallie killer
On 12/19/2015 at 12:48 AM, HoosierHawgs said:Are you throwing them like a typical Texas Rigged worm or are you flipping then into cover?
Sorry just came across your question. I use the pit boss for both, it is an awesome pitchin' bait or just dragging it on the bottom like a craw dad. Something I came across this last year was I started catching some fish on it when reeling it back in. It has some awesome action to it when swimming. The end of the tail seems to split open after a few fish and it makes it hard to keep on the hook. So I will bite off the bad section and rehook it and it's ready for action. Hope this helps. Oh by the way any color is good as long as it is GREEN PUMPKIN!!
On 12/28/2015 at 6:00 AM, HoosierHawgs said:Saw the Jr size today and they look like they might be good weightless for wading for smallmouths. I kinda want to try them rigged backwards without weight like that Cover Craw video.
They are great as jig trailers, used them in the spring for a smaller presentation, and they couldn't leave their lips off of them.
On 12/28/2015 at 6:00 AM, HoosierHawgs said:Saw the Jr size today and they look like they might be good weightless for wading for smallmouths. I kinda want to try them rigged backwards without weight like that Cover Craw video.
I fished them on a 1/16oz jighead for smallmouth and did very well.