2017 BUYER’S GUIDE
3. PH Lures “W” Gilde
PH builds the “W” Glide from a resin material that
has similar buoyancy compared to wood. It’s 7
inches long, weighs 2 3/4 ounces and sinks at a
rate of 6 inches per second. $90
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phcustomlures.com
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4. Lucky Craft REAL BG 165S
Here’s a larger and improved (it now features
a swiveling treble hook) version of Lucky
Craft’s Real Bluegill swimbait. $19.99
luckycraft.com
5. Jenko JenkoListic Swim Bait
This jointed swimbait features five segments for a realistic swimming
action. It comes in 6-, 7- and 8-inch sizes and emits a loud knocking
sound. $15.99 to $19.99
jenkofishing.com
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6. 6th Sense Speed Glide 100 Swimbait
Though only 4 inches long, the Speed Glide weighs 7/8 ounce so it can be
bombed a mile for covering water. $12.99
6thsenselures.com
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WHAT MAKES A GLIDE BAIT A GLIDE BAIT
A glide bait looks like any other jointed hard-bodied swimbait, but the difference is in the way it swims. Glide baits tend to amble along in a somewhat
S-shaped pattern. Many “standard” jointed swimbaits will wobble during the retrieve, but they track a straight line.
Glide baits also traditionally sink slowly when paused, can be twitched to turn 180 degrees and are effective when fished with a combination
reeling/twitching retrieve. Detailed paint jobs are a plus, since glide baits are “visual” baits that bass locate by sight.
The visual aspect is a glide bait’s biggest strength and downfall. Strength because a glide bait is subtle and natural, downfall because it’s not ideal in
dirty water and because bass tend to track a glide, bait but sometimes seem reluctant to bite. A quick twitch, jerk or pause can tempt them, but not always.
For that reason, many tournament anglers prefer to use glide baits to locate fish in practice by getting them to follow or show themselves. The anglers later
return during the tournament and fish another bait that’s more likely to get bit.
FLWFISHING.COM I DECEMBER 2016