2017 BUYER’S GUIDE
“V-HULL” TOPWATERS
The overall shape and surfaces of a
topwater bait not only affect the profile
and the lure’s ability to mimic prey, but
also how the bait acts in the water.
Take, for instance, the V-shaped belly
design used on this pair of new topwa-
ter baits.
The 6th Sense SplashBack pop-
per ($12.99; 6thsenselures.com) fea-
tures a V keel that helps it to cut
through water as you work it. A large
open mouth spits more water than
other poppers of its size. Since it also
has flat sides, the SplashBack can easily
move side to side and “walk the dog”
like more traditional walking baits. It
comes in 70mm and 90mm sizes.
Rapala’s V-bellied intro is the new
Skitter V ($9.49; rapala.com), a walk-
ing topwater. The shape is said to help
it quickly cut left to right when walked
with snappy rod movements. It’s 4
inches long.
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3 UNIQUE TOPWATER DESIGNS
1. Lunkerhunt Link
Available in two sizes, 4.5 inches and 6.75
inches, the Link is two topwater baits in
one. The body segments are joined
together on end with a through wire and
offer a unique walking action that mimics
two chasing or fleeing baitfish.
$12.99 or $13.99
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lunkerhunt.com
2. Bill Lewis StutterStep
Walk it in place, walk it violently with lots
of splash, wake it, turn it 180, or wag it
with a high-speed twitch-and-reel
retrieve. This topwater bait provides plen-
ty of options in a large 5-inch profile. The
curved belly and tail are the keys to its
versatility. $13.99
rat-l-trap.com
3. DUO Realis Shinmushi
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This bite-sized 1 5/8-inch topwater imitates a cicada, thanks to flexible rubber wings and sili-
cone skirt strand “appendages.” The lure comes apart for customizing or replacing the wings
and skirt. In action, the lure wobbles on a straight retrieve to mimic a dying bug. $13.99
3
duo-international.com
DECEMBER 2016 I FLWFISHING.COM
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