Thread: White Bass.

You are the only person I have ever heard that uses the hot-n-tot lure around here besides me. I used them for the first time when an old timer up on Lake Erie told me to try one for walleyes. He actually gave me a couple. We tore them up and actually caught a few smallies with them. I have used them before trolling for hybrids on T-Ville and did great. My fishing buddy from colorad found about 50 at an estate sale one day and we have used them ever since. Like I said, he is in Colorado and not with me here so I am limited to only a small handful. Do you have any secret place to get them fairly cheap because they add up on the old wallet? Any color you prefer? I usually end up with as flashy color as I can use like silver or goldbut figure a blue might be good on sunny days. Thought?

Originally Posted by Jigboy

You are the only person I have ever heard that uses the hot-n-tot lure around here besides me. I used them for the first time when an old timer up on Lake Erie told me to try one for walleyes. He actually gave me a couple. We tore them up and actually caught a few smallies with them. I have used them before trolling for hybrids on T-Ville and did great. My fishing buddy from colorad found about 50 at an estate sale one day and we have used them ever since. Like I said, he is in Colorado and not with me here so I am limited to only a small handful. Do you have any secret place to get them fairly cheap because they add up on the old wallet? Any color you prefer? I usually end up with as flashy color as I can use like silver or goldbut figure a blue might be good on sunny days. Thought?

I don't catch the Whites/Hybrids on the "Tots" .... but, mostly on the trailing jig.

I use the Tot to drag the jig to depths it cannot achieve alone. The boat I use, my partners boat, is a Tracker TX17 w/50hp Merc ... and we troll using the Merc at idle. I started out using the smaller Tots, but found they were more prone to "rolling" (spinning around) at the lowest speed of this boat. I went to the larger version, and stopped having that problem.
I'm still using the old version Tots, the metal lipped ones. And I carry a "lure knocker", so that I don't have to purchase new ones, anytime soon
As I am using the Tots as a means to get my jigs to the 8-12ft depths, more so than as a "lure", color doesn't enter in as that much of a factor. But, when I was using it as as lure, and catching the larger Hybrids (when there were more of them present) ... solid chartreuse, and the grey/white ones were fairly productive. Solid chartreuse or solid white marabou jigs have been my normal color choices ... and I use the el cheapo store brands, of those, since I'm prone to breaking off a few or having the fish destroy them (after a number have been caught on them).

I haven't noticed Hot-n-Tots for sale, cheaper than $4-5 each ... but, watch the bargain bins for close-outs. If you're an eBay shopper, check these out : hot n tots, Sporting Goods items on eBay.com

I found this guy, selling select ones for $3.00 each - storm hot n tots | BountyFishing.com Forum

And this place, selling for $4.19 ea - Storm Hot' N Tot

For the way I'm using the Hot-n-tots, a number of other deep diving cranks would work as well. Tying the leader line to the front hook eye, rather than the rear hook eye, is the trick for keeping the crank from spinning/rolling or coming to the surface. The resistance/pull of the jig, on the rear hook/ rear end of the crank, is enough to flatten out the trajectory of the crank's dive plane ... and make it stop diving and "roll over". Tying to the front hook eye helps stabilize the crank's diving effort, as it actually pulls the front of the crank down and away from the main line, helping it dive ... or, at least, helping keep the lip in a down position.

Yeah, I've caught Bass & Catfish on Tots .. along with the Hybrids. Also had them hit the jig, too

... cp

Thanks for all the info. Still can't decide where I am going in the morning but I guess I will figure that out when I get there.

We missed out on the white bass run here this year. Normally catch them in the spring time on the Hooch. Normally small fish on light tackle. We have a ball with them.

I been catching alot of white bass just eaten size not too big around docks with shiney spoons.

The white bass has turned on in southern In.! Right at daylight if you have a lake with shad in it, you'll wearout your arm a catchin em.! What a blast, an if get all the red meat off of em they're pretty good eat'in too!:D