Hover Rig

[Corey Steffen]

Curious how many have tried the Hover Rig from Core Tackle?   Like or dislike?

I got some over the winter and gave it a try yesterday, but thus far I'm not convinced.   Wasn't sure I liked how my swimbait was moving through the water (although the strong current may not have helped).   I ended up switching back to a Z-Man jighead.

[Kev-mo]

I'm aware but have not tried. I can see how it might help with a more horizontal presentation. Personally trying to downsize in the tackle arena...

[rich mc]

 i do think current will  give it problems.. having used a homemade hover rig in ponds i find it ok for slow moving in colder temps. or under an indicator , hovering

[asherman]

I have had good results in current with a few different scenarios.  Using lighter Hover Rigs (around 1/16th) with Z-Main Goat Juniors and other small floating plastics has worked well fishing current seams.  You cast upstream and work it down stream. Jerk it in slack water.  You  can also just let the bait drift like you drift a fly with a fly rod.  Cast 45 to 90 degrees to the current and let it drift. Floating plastics are the key.  A few jerks of your rod tip with cause the baits to move erratically and trigger hits. This setup will not work fishing the bait up stream.

The other setup that I have had good success with the hover rig is using the appropriate size hover rig with Savage Ned Minnows and the larger Savage Duratech minnows.  Both of these plastic baits float.  The smaller size Ned minnow works great when smallies are busting minnows against the shoreline in slack water.  Cast the bait right against the shore and jerk it.  You can also use the small bait for casting against the shore, giving it a few jerks,  and then letting it drift downstream.

I have used the 3/32 and 1/8 ounce Hover rigs with 3 1/2 inch  and 4 inch Savage Duratec minnows and fished them like jerk baits.  Cast the baits at an angle downstream and use the rod tip to jerk the baits upstream with varying pauses.  Fish hit on the pause.  This work great last fall.

I think that key is using plastic baits that float.  This gives the setup some buoyancy which helps the bait to drift better and to fall more slowly.  I'm sure that other Z-Man baits would work  for these techniques.  These Z-Man and Savage baits are also made of the type of plastic that stretches and holds up to lots of fish without getting torn up.