Hot N Tots

[Catch 22]

What is the length of leader you all use when running bait behind a Hot N Tot? I'll be trying this in the Clack if that helps. Do people employ this method for steelhead?

[Get Bit]

Catch 22,
I've always subscribed to the HotnTot at the rod tip and the bait even with the reel. Thats on an 8.5 ft rod.I guess that works out to 7ft.? Give or take For the bait a sandshrimp and rainbow birdy drifter has always worked well ! Good Luck !

Get Bit

[SandySteel]

I usually use at least 4 foot of leader. This method works great for Steelhead.

Eric

[Catch 22]

WOW! That was fast! Right on. I'm gonna try this as soon as I get the floor finished in the driftboat. Should be finished tomorrow night or so. I went and bought a Loomis plug rod last year (HSR932). I've never used it for the purpose I bought it for, which is to pull plugs and bait/divers. It's hard for me to look at it every time I grab my 1025c and head out the door. I feel like I've been neglecting it.

[David Johnson]

I usually run a 5 1/2 foot leader for steelhead. That 932 Lommis is going to be a bit heavy for running a diver/bait for steelhead. It will work but it's like hunting rabbits with a 30/6. I like the 932 for backbouncing and running Kwikfish for salmon. The 9000 Lommis is my preference.

Just my .02

[David Johnson]

Catch 22, another tip. Use heavy line and leader. I would never run less than 12 pound leader, I usually run 20#. The fish will be looking at your bait from behind so seeing it isn't a problem. After putting in the time and effort to hook a fish you don't want to break him off.

As far as heavy line go with 15 or 20 pound test. The heavy line diameter will help keep you diver from digging down in the rocks and up were the fish will see it.

[Catch 22]

Thanx David. I'll try your suggestions.

[Thumper]

Don't forget to try a pink worm and small spin-n-glo behind that diver. Deadly!

[Perfect Drift]

Thumper- what lenght of worm are you running?

[Thumper]

I used to run a 6 inch worm behind a diver, but have done better off a 4 inch. The whole "package" ends up being about the same size as a large shrimp and spin-n-glo. The pink worm just wiggles its little butt off. A fork-tail would probably be even better.

Hee-hee. I can say butt without being edited. Butt butt butt.

[ 11-22-2001: Message edited by: Thumper ]</p>

[Steve]

Hey Catch 22, how come you didn't reply to my last E-Mail?...not to worry! Something that the pros didn't tell you, is that when you get bit don't set the hook until the rod is hammering it is hard to set the hook thru the resistance of the Hot-n-Tot.. a small glob of eggs with a tuff of orange yarn works wonders... also jacks like them when things get slow... at least on the Clack. Steve

[jtl85]

Is there an advantage to using a Hot n Tot as opposed to a jet diver. I was also wondering if I should be spray painting my matallic red diver black.

[David Johnson]

Very good Marty!!

A Jet Diver will also be diving too deep in most steelhead water. Too deep as in dredging the bottom.

I also agree about the wiggle of the Hot n Tot telling you what is going on down there.

Don't touch that rod until it is bent without throbbing when you get bit.

[rookie]

Marty and/or Dave what size of hotntot? I know they come in someting like 3-4 sizes? Also I thought some said they are going to stop making HotNTot because it is part of the Storm buy out or something? Get me up to speed please.

[Get Bit]

Biggest advantage to using a Hotntot is that it is constantly wiggling if its running correctly. When it gets hung up or bit it is easy to tell. The jet planer works but is difficult to tell when hung because theres no thumping rod tip. I'm with Dave on the heavy line thing as well as going up to about a 4/0 hook. Remember to wait until the rod is buried in the holder before even thinking about touching it ! Have Fun !

Get Bit

[Gone Fishin]

Unless you want the fish to hit the hot-n-tot, paint them black. I just use a permanent marker to color mine.

Also, PLEASE be responsible in your diver and bait steelhead fishing, as soon as there are native fish present...DON'T USE DIVER AND BAIT!

Natives are very aggressive fish and will attack almost anything put in front of them. They tend to take the bait deep when it's on a diver, then they are mortaly wounded. Dead fish don't float.

[David Johnson]

I use the medium size one, sorry, don't know the exact size. Some people use the magnum for salmon but that is when I use a Jet Diver.

[GoFish]

Oh No! It's the Storm Lures going off the market rumor again!!!!

[Tanner]

I agree with Marty about not using diver and bait when natives are present. I do not agree with the idea of painting your Hot N Tots black though. I think a lot of times it helps to have that diver working as an attractor to help bring the fish to your bait. Yes, your diver will sometimes get hit but I believe your chances at more strikes to your bait will improve. This is especially true when you are fishing larger bodies of water. IMHO

[parker]

Any of you (Dave, Marty, etc) out there every try, or consider, putting on a trailing hook on the hotntot? I've had some killer take downs where I know the fish smacked the diver and not the bait.

I always just figured the trailing hook would cause more problems then it solved and it just wasn't worth it. Also don't like a leader trailing behind a fighting fish...espeically near snags, logs, etc.

Anyone ever tried it? Did it work? Does the trailing leader get caught up while fighting the fish? Anyone ever double up? One fish on the hotntot with one on the biat? That'd be cool...like a Chinese Fire Drill!

It's something I've thought about but just never bothered to try.

[On a mission]

Parker, I spent yesterday working on some of my plugs. I got this from a guide on the Skajit. Take all the hooks off your plug. Then use a bead chain on the belly, with either a single siwash or if you like a treble. I'm sure some of the guides on Ifish can tell you about this idea and others. Good Luck

[David Johnson]

I found that the hassle of getting the leader caught up on that treable hook ( and sometimes breaking off with a fish)on the back of the plug wasn't worth it. Don't get enough bites on the diver to mess with.

[Gizmo Man]

Parker, I ofter use the following set up when I want two baits working for me...

I use a slider and place on line. Tie an 12-18" leader and attach the hnt to this leader. At end of main line I have a swivel and to the end of this I tie a spin n glow with my bait, about 4-5' long.

Remember to not exceed the allowable amt of hooks.

I have taken fish on the bait and the plug. It works. Remember to use lighter leader than the main line so you have break points.




One thing to watch for is sometimes you loose everything if the plug hangs up with the hooks.

So if you don't mind taking the chance of loosing everything go for it.

If you are running low on hnt use the set up described above without hooks. If your bait hooks hand up and you break off at the swivel you get your plug back. If you break off on the main line side of leader then the plug floats to surface and you can run it down.

Giz..

[SAUKit2em]

Jeez, Parker, trying to second guess me are ya I know that we've had takedowns on the Hot 'n' Tot's, but I have had nothing but bad experiences by leaving the hooks on there. As mentioned in previous posts, you can loose the diver a lot easier, the main line or leader catches on the hook and breaks off, or the fish gets up close to cover and the dive ends up hanging on some piddly little branch or worse yet a big log.

Besides, Parker, those bait divers don't work with you in the boat anyways jk They sure do work with Big Dave though, as long as he can refrain from rim firing that is. :grin:

[Catch 22]

ON A MISSION, I rigged up all my wiggle warts the same way.