Bass Fishing Feb - Mar 2017 | Page 51

DORSAL FIN TAIL DESIGN A semi-rigid soft-plastic dorsal fin sits in line with the point of the 9/0 Mustad hook to help reduce snagging on weeds and small brush. the tail is molded with a unique “oscillator” that extends outward and creates resistance, causing the tail to move back and forth as the bait comes through the water. ACCESSORY EYE A built-in belly accessory eye can be used for hanging an addition- al treble hook, small spinner blade, weight or other tackle. Performance Advice the 5 1/2-inch Gizzard Shad is no different than most swim- baits its size; you need to be pretty specific when choosing a rod, reel and line in order to fish it properly. A heavy-action rod in the range of 7 feet, 6 inches to 7 feet, 11 inches long will han- dle the weight sufficiently while allowing for long casts. LIVE- tARGEt recommends 17- to 25-pound-test fluorocarbon or monofilament in combination with a baitcasting reel having a medium retrieve ratio such as 6.3:1. >> IN ACTION HITS & MISSES + Comes out of the package ready to fish + Anatomically correct from nose to tail + Easy to fish + Equipped with a high-quality, heavy-duty hook + Made from durable PVC plastic + Competitive price for the authentic look + Subtle, lifelike action – Additional sink rates would be nice APPLICATIONS Like many of the popular jumbo soft-plastic swimbaits, the Gizzard Shad isn’t intended to entice bass with tons of vibration. It’s primarily a “visual bait” with a realistic tail-swimming action. As mentioned, this is a bait that can be equally effective around offshore structure and shallow cover, especially on lakes with sizeable populations of big fish. that’s not to say 12-inch bass won’t hit it. they will. but the sheer size of the bait is certain to help weed out those non-keepers and appeal more to bass in the “kicker” class. the LIVEtARGEt Swimbait Series extends well beyond the Gizzard Shad model, too. the family actually includes seven freshwater models that mimic various baitfish species, ranging from trout and yellow perch to threadfin shad and golden shiner. there are saltwater variations as well. the swimbaits come in various sizes, so tackle requirements could change on the lighter baits. FEBRUARY-MARCH 2017 I FLWFISHING.COM DETAILS Size Reviewed: 5 1/2 inches, 2 ounces Other Sizes: 5 inches, 1 1/2 ounces; 4 1/2 inches, 1 ounce Colors: two Sink Rate: medium slow MSRP: $11.99 Contact: livetargetlures.com 49