HOLLOW POUCH :
The top portion of the back features a dual-purpose hollow pouch that helps keep the bait vertical in the water column while also providing a slitted cavity for inserting materials to add weight or buoyancy .
RUDDERS :
Pectoral , side and tail rudders help promote the lifelike swimming action .
GILL PLATE GUIDES :
Berkley incorporated lines into the mold along the gill plate to create a guide to follow when side- , flat- or Texas rigging . Instructions with explanatory diagrams are included in the packaging .
Follow the center line guide and the Gilly swims on its side . Called “ flat rigging ,” this is a fun way to wake it over pads and matted vegetation . Pump it off bottom and it simulates a wounded or dying bait fish . For deeper applications , fish it on a jig head with the hook facing up or add a slip sinker .
The options don ’ t end there . The 90 or 110 model Gilly works great as a bladed jig trailer . If you really want to get nasty , rig the 90 model on a dropshot and toss it in front of bedding fish .
Final Thoughts
If there ’ s a more versatile soft swimbait out there , I haven ’ t seen it . My guess is the Gilly is going to be one of those baits anglers will become increasingly confident in the more they fish it . It ’ s available in lifelike colors and three sizes ( 3.5 , 4.2 and 5.2 inches ) to simulate baitfish of various ages .
Performance Tips
› Proper hook style and size are key when rigging . Berkley recommends using EWG-style hooks for weightless side-rigging and Texas rigging , but I found that using a weightless swimbait hook with a spring keeper helped reduce slippage and fouling and prolonged the life of the bait .
› If you go with an EWG hook , try out VMC ’ s ringed wide gap . The hook comes with a welded stainless steel eye ring that optimizes the bait ’ s action while reducing hook leverage during the battle .
› Don ’ t discard the bait right away if the nose tears . Bite off the damaged part and save those small- and medium-sized Gillys for use as a trailer on a bladed jig .
› Add weight or buoyancy by inserting material into the slitted cavity on the bait ’ s back or insert a nail weight just below the bottom lip .
› Reference the fold-out instructions for rigging tips .
Applications
› A good choice when bass are feeding on bluegills , crappie , warmouth , tilapia or big gizzard shad .
› Should be killer around all phases of the spawn and when sight-fishing bedding bass .
› Fish it weightless in skinny water over shallow grass or pads .
› Wake through pads like a frog .
› Swim it shallow or mid-range using a weighted swimbait hook .
› Rig it line-thru using a pop rivet , swimbait tube and exposed treble hook for open water situations .
› Use it as a trailer to give bladed jigs some bulk .
› Fish the 90 series deep or around beds on a drop-shot .
› Swim it around bream beds .
› Target suspended fish rigged on a jig head .
HITS & MISSES
+ Multiple ways to rig + Fluid swimming action + Anatomically correct + Maintains vertical stance + Fish it shallow to deep + High-def looks authentic
+ Scent / flavor enhanced with PowerBait formula .
— Nose tears fairly easy — Pricey
DETAILS
Sizes : 3 Count : 90 and 110 sizes , 3 pack ; 130 size , 2 pack MSRP : $ 6.49 ( standard colors ), $ 7.49 ( high definition ) Contact : berkley-fishing . com n
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