2017 BUYER’S GUIDE
HAIR JIGS
The hair jig continues its triumphant return to glory, though the momentum has slowed down a bit since last season. There were four that caught
our eye: 1) Owner’s Bucktail Shad ($13; ownerhooks.com) falls into the “standard” hair jig category and mimics a gizzard shad with its long, white
natural bucktail and 3-D eyes. It features a quality Super Needle Point hook. 2) The Freedom Tackle Hydra Shad Hair Jig ($7.99; freedomlures.com)
uses the company’s swinging head design, which allows for swapping the hook and its 6-inch-long bucktail/feather tail. 3) Also from Freedom Tackle ,
the 1/8- or 1/4-ounce Marabou Jig ($3.99; freedomlures.com) has the same jointed, detachable hook design, but with Marabou fluff and the compact
build that smallmouth anglers love. 4) The Road Runner Buck-Tail Pro ($5.99; ttiblakemore.com) is based on the old, popular design, but with new
features such as a premium hook, 3-D eyes, ball-bearing swivel and willow-leaf blade.
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A COOL IDEA: GENE LAREW’S BASS SHOOTER SYSTEM
The technique of shooting docks is done with a spinning rod. The angler grabs the bait – usually a small jig – pulls it back to create a bend in the rod
and then releases the bait. The rod springs forward like a bow releasing an arrow and shoots the bait on a fairly straight trajectory. It’s a favorite of some
crappie anglers, but it works for bass too, and Gene Larew has a new tackle
system designed specifically for shooting docks for bass.
One part is the new Pinhead jighead . It’s similar to a standard lead ball
head, but the weight is distributed along the hook shank. This helps the bait
skip as it shoots, and promotes a horizontal position while it falls. It’s also
great for traditional dock-skipping techniques, if shooting isn’t your thing.
Larew also created the Bass Shooter soft plastic to mate perfectly with
the Pinhead. It has a flat top and keel-shaped belly for easy skipping and a
fluttery fall. Finally, the company designed a simple Pull Tab device that is
threaded onto the hook gap, providing an easy place to grip and “draw back”
the bait when shooting.
Five weedless or seven open-hook jigheads sell for $5.59. Bass Shooters
sell in packs of eight for $5.29. Pull Tabs cost $4.99 for 12.
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genelarew.com
FLWFISHING.COM I DECEMBER 2016