Stock Bandit Colors

I'm very familiar with the love for the custom painted Bandits, particularly IB Frozen, but I was wondering what stock colors everyone else would recommend. I don't mind getting a few customs every now and then, but I've got some Cabela's gift cards that I plan on spending on some cranks and they don't have custom colors online or in stores locally (Cincinnati). I have half a dozen black headed wonder bread, that sucker caught a ton of fish into July and August last year, but I don't have many chrome colors for the sunny days. Any recommendations?

I also wouldn't mind recommendations on other baits like Reef Runners or Husky Jerks. I don't really fancy the idea of dropping $50 on snap weights, but if enough people think P10s are too good to pass up I can work a little OT this week I guess. ☺️

I have yet to use any of my Bandits but following their usage the stock colors seem to have been the Humble Bee, Khaki, and Silver with blue back and some with Parakeet. You could do no wrong with one of the purple with pink combo's for sure in the spring and they were used thru the fall. IB Frozen (DJ's) sure took there share and the Redhead Wonderbread (Domka's) this past fall. DHJ 12
I have only stayed with stock colors with the exception of custom Holloween and Pink Squirrel I think were Domka's. Confused Yet?
I got dizzy just trying to remember them with this ol' brain and trying to keep from getting antzie myself. Atleast your starting now
to avoid the rush.

Gene

I was at Jann's last Sunday the clerk was filling mail orders for the Bandits and they have Domka's customs and stock colors also.
Goin', goin' GONE !!!!

Gene

Good luck finding them in Cincy. I live here also and have seen any bandits around. I'd call Jann's or Rickards.

There are a ton of customs...I have several since i paint my own but for stock I'd go with Blue/Chrome, Humble Bee, Khaki, Perch, Two Tone Glow, Coconut Candy, Green Clown. Drop the P10's unless less you are trolling early spring or late fall. They are more of a slow...cold water...trolling crank.

Gotta love my Reefs....little more work tuning but they catch fish! Why they need tuned so much. My choices are Bandits and Reefs....

go to fish usa...they have all stock colors and good prices

I just bought a bunch of DJs customs for this year but ran all stocks last spring my hottest colors were fruit dots followed by blue chrome.

If you don't already know, as soon as you get them cut the split rings and hooks off and throw them away and replace with your favorite aftermarket hook and ring. I use VMC but that's up to you

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Originally Posted by mikecat13

I just bought a bunch of DJs customs for this year but ran all stocks last spring my hottest colors were fruit dots followed by blue chrome.

If you don't already know, as soon as you get them cut the split rings and hooks off and throw them away and replace with your favorite aftermarket hook and ring. I use VMC but that's up to you

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What sise do u replace them with?

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Originally Posted by Riches

What sise do u replace them with?

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#4 on the hooks. I THINK the split rings are #3

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Originally Posted by mikecat13

#4 on the hooks. I THINK the split rings are #3

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I think the stock hooks are #5s. Not sure on the rings.

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Originally Posted by Jawbreaker

I think the stock hooks are #5s. Not sure on the rings.

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I think you're right, the #5 VMCS can be hard to find so I was told #4 is ok, they seem to work. Big hook for big fish lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mikecat13

I just bought a bunch of DJs customs for this year but ran all stocks last spring my hottest colors were fruit dots followed by blue chrome.

If you don't already know, as soon as you get them cut the split rings and hooks off and throw them away and replace with your favorite aftermarket hook and ring. I use VMC but that's up to you

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Did DJ change the hooks on his customs?

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Originally Posted by Daddyhags

Did DJ change the hooks on his customs?

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He does, I don't know what brand he replaces them with but he told me he does replace them.

Strand he told me last year he did not change them. We had great luck with purple mist this fall. We have never had a hook or ring failure. But there must be some reason ppl want to change them, I did hear thst some ppl have had issues with the metal part the ring goes through pulling out of the body of the bait, maybe this is why the hooks are a little softer, better to replace hooks the ruin the entire bait???? I am sure someone alot more knowledgeable than me will chime in

Brahman, the hooks on the Bandits are just very weak and tend to bend and even break. I've not had one break off while fighting a fish, but I can't count the number that have bent and broken when talking a fish off, especially if the hook gets into bone.

I thought I had heard DJ replaced them as well but I compared some of my DJ's and stock baits last night and couldn't see any difference. I have broke some with a pliers if not careful taking a fish off.

So what hooks do most ppl use to replace these......my customs look like my stk colors too. All I do know is those things are crazy sharp, they stick to and through everything, even my RS net that is coated can't keep them out, and are fight to get them out too

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Originally Posted by branhamautomotive

So what hooks do most ppl use to replace these......my customs look like my stk colors too. All I do know is those things are crazy sharp, they stick to and through everything, even my RS net that is coated can't keep them out, and are fight to get them out too

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I've had good luck with VMC. Same hooks as the stock DDHJs.

I read about the bandit hooks, thought to myself I've never had a problem...next trip out had several break, lots bend, and a couple split rings stretch lol. So then I replaced them all

I've had good luck with the stock hooks. I wouldn't replace them until needed. I haven't lost a fish due to the hooks. I will say it depends on how you take them out the fish. If you are one to grab the hook with a set of pliers and shake to get the fish off...you may want to upgrade.

I asked DJ custom yesterday at the expo while picking up some more and he does not replace the hooks or rings

Not sure what DJ you talked to but he most defiantly replaces the hooks and rings.