Strike King Burner
Heads
1 . Keel or Minnow Head
Terminator T-1
Bolton says this style of head creates resistance as it comes through the water , causing it to rise up or run closer to the surface with less effort and slower retrieves than other head styles .
Where it shines : In situations when the fish are aggressive and the angler wants to burn the bait just under the surface around grass or in clear , open water .
Where it doesn ’ t : Fishing around treetops , bushes or brush piles . “ When it hits a limb , the bait has a tendency to roll on its side , and it doesn ’ t correct itself very quickly ,” says Bolton . “ This exposes the hook and increases the chances of hanging up .”
Examples : Terminator T-1 , Strike King Burner
Nichols Pulsator
2 . Bullet Head
War Eagle
Bolton says baits with a pointed head typically run true , right themselves quickly and come through heavy cover extremely well .
Where it shines : Fishing thick brush , bushes , treetops or grass , mainly because the head design resists wedging in limbs and causes the bait to “ come back to center ” quickly after contacting cover , which helps it resist hang-ups or fouling .
Where it doesn ’ t : As good as the head performs in brush , it ’ s susceptible to wedging in rocks .
Examples : War Eagle , Nichols Pulsator
Accent
3 . Round or Pill Head
TACKLE PHOTOS BY MATT PACE
Stanley Wedge
Bolton says this head is wider than most . It ’ s a good all-around performer that can be used in a variety of situations and cover .
Where it shines : Slow-rolling around rock and stumps on ledges . The wider head is less prone to wedging and doesn ’ t cut through water as smoothly as other head styles , which allows Bolton to maintain better contact with what the bait ’ s doing . It doesn ’ t come through heavy cover as well as a bullet head , but it still gets the job done around brush and grass . Where it doesn ’ t : Flooded bushes with lots of small limbs . Examples : Stanley Wedge , Accent
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