9.89 largie and 5 smallie

Great question for sure. I experienced this today as well. It is like the trailer counter acts the blades. I have noticed that depending on the blade style/size or number of blades makes a difference for me if the bait rolls over or not.

Have you ever tried throwing a weightless senko? For some strange reason during dec-feb in the south that technic will always catch something. May not be a big fish but it works. I think it has to do with the fish slowing down and that weightless senko taking its sweet butt time to fall through the water column. Maybe the fish can key in on it quicker?

Not central Austin.. But North of Dallas.

The blade bait is common down here for white bass. Green backs or brown back are rare on those here in the south

Living in Texas we do not have many draw downs unless they are pulling water to feed another system or doing dam repairs. Now when they do pull the water I like to slow down. Depending on the current, I have found fish sitting behind anything that breaks the current. They use that cover as an ambush point. They can sit steady behind the current break so they attack anything being carried by the current.

It's a wiggle wart. Just like Brian said, if it is an original which it looks like one you better keep it!