Rigging the Urchin is still the most debated topic in bass fishing right now. Ask ten anglers how they rig it and you'll get ten answers. My job isn't to tell you which one is right. My job is to build an option for every one of them, and this week we're adding two more.
The first is for the anglers who've been asking me for a Battle Axe they can fish on light line with small Urchins. The second is for the anglers who want the simplest weighted Urchin rig possible, with nothing extra to add before they hit the water. Here's the full story on both.
The Battle Axe Jr: Light Tackle, Small Urchins, Giant Bass
Our pro staff has put the full-size Battle Axe through the wringer, and the double hook design is a big reason why. It gives you a wider footprint and a better hook-up ratio than a standard double hook. The one thing it wasn't built for was finesse. When you downsize to a 10mm to 15mm Urchin and lighter line, you need a lighter hook to match.
That's the Battle Axe Jr. It takes everything that works about the Battle Axe and scales it down to 1/16oz on a #1 hook.
I didn't want to just shrink the original, so we went to the top hook manufacturer in Japan and had this one built to our specification. It's a light wire O'Shaughnessy bend hook with an ultra-sharp needle point finish. Light wire lets you stick fish on light line without overpowering your setup, and it still has the strength to bring a big one all the way to the net.
The Battle Axe Jr. is designed for light tackle, light line, small Urchins, and giant bass.
Proven at the State Championship
We didn't have to wait long to see what this hook could do. Brandon Stanley fished the Battle Axe Jr. at the 2026 Bass Nation Michigan State Championship, and that pair of Michigan smallmouth is what it produced.
That's exactly what this hook was built for: a small Urchin on light line that can still land the fish that matter most.
How to Rig the Battle Axe Jr.
It rigs exactly like the full-size Battle Axe.
- Push the line tie end through the factory center hole of your Urchin bait.
- Connect your line with a split ring or a snap. Two split rings come in every pack.
- That's it. You've got a weighted, all-in-one setup.
The hook measures 1.25" point to point and fits Urchin baits from 10mm to 15mm. The rigged photos on the product page use a 15mm Urchin Star, so you can see exactly how it sits.
Shown rigged in a 15mm Grape Urchin Star. Bait sold separately.
Battle Axe Jr. or Full-Size Battle Axe?
Here's how the Jr. lines up against the full-size Battle Axe hooks, using recommended bait sizes:
- Battle Axe Jr.: #1 hook, 1/16oz, 10mm–15mm Urchins
- Battle Axe Round Bend: 3/0 for 10mm–14mm, 4/0 for 13mm–17mm, 5/0 for 16mm–20mm, in 1/8oz to 3/8oz
- Battle Axe Viper Lok: 3/0 for 10mm–13mm, 4/0 for 13mm–18mm, 5/0 for 18mm–25mm, in 1/8oz to 3/8oz
If you're fishing 15mm and up, or you want more weight, stick with the full-size Battle Axe. If you're throwing small Urchins on light line and want to go lighter than 1/8oz, the Jr. is the one.
The Details: 1/16oz | #1 light wire O'Shaughnessy hook, needle point | 1.25" point to point | 10mm–15mm Urchins | 2 hooks + 2 split rings per pack | $7.99
A heads up: this first run of the Battle Axe Jr. is very limited. If you fish small Urchins, don't wait on this one.
The Vampire Hook: No Gimmicks, No Hype
The Vampire Hook is a purpose-built hook for one job: getting the most out of an Urchin bait.
It's built on the proven success of our Urchin Frog Hook. With a standard Urchin hook, you're adding split rings, weights, or some other modification before you ever make a cast. So we took the next step and cast the weight directly onto the hook shank. No split rings. No extra weights. Rig it, tie it on, and fish.
We built it on the premium BKK Double 21 Urchin Hook, so you get the strength, sharpness, and reliability you'd expect from BKK.
Why the Weight Placement Matters
That molded weight isn't just there to get your bait down. Where it sits on the shank is the whole point.
- It keeps your Urchin running true. The weight holds the bait in a consistent position, so it presents the way it should on the fall.
- It works as a bait stopper. Slide the bait tight to the weight and it stays put, instead of collapsing over the hook point during retrieves and pauses.
- It keeps your hook point exposed. With the bait held in place, the hookset gap stays open, and that means more hookups when they eat.
Better presentation, better hook exposure, and more fish in the boat.
How to Rig the Vampire Hook
- Push the hook through your Urchin bait and pull it through.
- Slide the bait up tight against the molded weight.
- Tie it on and fish.
No split ring, no added weight, and no extra steps on the boat deck.
Shown rigged in a 20mm Root Beer Urchin Star. Bait sold separately.
The Details: BKK Double 21 Urchin Hook | Molded weight cast onto the shank | 1/8oz with a 3/0 hook, or 1/4oz with a 4/0 hook | 2 hooks per pack | $7.99
Which One Should You Tie On?
- Tie on the Battle Axe Jr. when you've downsized to a 10mm to 15mm Urchin on light line and want the Battle Axe's double hook in a finesse package.
- Tie on the Vampire Hook when you want the fastest, cleanest weighted Urchin rig there is: no split rings and no added weights, in 1/8oz or 1/4oz.
Both hooks are sold without bait, so grab your Urchin Stars while you're stocking up. Everything is live now in the Urchin Tackle collection, right alongside the full-size Battle Axe, our weights, and the Urchin Star Storage Box to keep it all rigged and ready.
When an ounce counts!
Dan, 2K Jigs Founder