Freeload Into The Fall
Since its mid-2023 release, the CrushCity Freeloader has proven it’s one of the hottest and most versatile soft plastics for catching bass, walleye, pike and other predator fish. Here’s a look at four different ways you can catch fish on the Freeloader this fall.
TERRIFIC TRAILER
Capable of being fished on various baits and at a range of speeds, the 4-1/4-inch Freeloader is an ideal trailer for triggering strikes from fish eager to feed-up before winter. The shad-profiled plastic performing flawlessly on the back of a spinnerbait being burned across shallow flats in early fall for giant smallmouth, for example.
This CrushCity hitchhiker is also guaranteed to elevate any vibrating jig, giving it an enticing hunting action (i.e., switch directions unpredictably). When baitfish are in the crosshairs of bass, walleye, pike and other predators, slowly swimming a Freeloader on a scrounger jig around weedbeds, along bottom or offshore for suspending fish is tough to beat.
MARVELLOUS MINNOW FOR A JIG
Swap out any other plastic you prefer on a jig, and you’ll be amazed at how the Freeloader wastes no time at getting big fish to bite. This holds true when fishing shorelines, flats, ledges, points, river channels, offshore structure or schools of baitfish suspending over deep water.
As shared in our Best Baits For Forward-Facing Sonar blog, the Freeloader is outstanding for jig casting presentations. The VMC Hybrid Swimbait Jig, Neon Moon Eye Jig and Sleek Jig all popular choices anglers can use when fishing the ribbed, tapered tail Freeloader.
This same jig and Freeloader setup also excels for vertical presentations. This includes deploying a moping-style presentation for suspending fish (aka “hanging a minnow”, Damiki rigging) or jigging it along bottom on lake structures or when drifting a river.
POTENT FOR DROP- AND POWER-SHOTTING
Drop-shotting a Freeloader is another way to catch fish in the fall. Given the Freeloader’s size and tendency to get bit by big fish, it’s wise to use heavier gear (i.e., power-shotting) around cover, zebra-muscle infested structure and other light-line hazards.
For instance, when power-shotting deep weed edges, docks and other cover in the fall, Tex-pose a Freeloader a 3/0 or 4/0 RedLine Hybrid Wide Gap tied to 12- to 17-pound Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon. Complete the rig with a VMC Tungsten Teardrop weight suitable for the depth you’re fishing. Pitch this setup around the edges of cover (e.g., weedlines) and you’re sure to catch hungry bass and walleye.
Dragging a Freeloader on drop-shot rig across reefs, points, sand flats and other productive fall fishing locations is another productive tactic for catching fish in autumn. In his scenarios, one can opt to use lighter line and a more traditional drop-shot hook rigging method for the Freeloader.
TREMENDOUS ON A TOKYO RIG
When other anglers are pitchin’ or punchin’ with craw and creature baits, tossing out a Freeloader in Sight Flash, Albino Pearl or any of the shad colour patterns on a VMC Tokyo Rig shows largemouth something they’re not accustomed to seeing and can get you more strikes.
For this approach, anglers can use either the standard or XLS Heavy Duty Wide Gap Tokyo Rig versions in combination with a VMC Tungsten Worm Weight or Flippin’ Weight.
It gets better...
Bass, walleye and pike readily pounce on a Freeloader rigged Tokyo-style being pulled across the bottom. Good locations include deep flats, rock humps, ledges and other areas anglers typically fished with Carolina rigs, football jigs and tubes. As the rig moves along, its steel dropper arm jostles the Freeloader enticingly, while also helping it avoid snags.
Named Freeloader as a nod to its exceptional performance as a trailer for spinnerbaits, vibrating jigs, swim jigs and scroungers, this CrushCity offering is just as potent when used with traditional and novel soft-plastic presentations. Do yourself a favour, stock up on Freeloaders now to ensure you’re ready to take full advantage of the exceptional fall fishing action that’s right around the corner.
