Tour Grade Fluoro Spin , Strike King – Scheduled for spring release , this compact tool is said to be deadly when fished with soft plastics like Strike King ’ s 3X Baby Z-Too .
PowerBait Power Switch , Berkley – “ Control ” is the watchword for this addition to the popular Berkley PowerBait lineup . Thanks to its unique weight placement , the minnow imitator can be swum horizontally , hopped off the bottom , twitched erratically — you name it . It ’ s available in 14 colors and six sizes , ranging from 1.75 to 5 inches and 1 / 16 to 1 ounce .
Under Spin Head Mini , Gamakatsu – This downsized underspin jig with a No . 3 willowleaf blade is made for FFS presentations . A wide-gap No . 1 hook and premium bait keeper accommodate a range of plastic bait sizes . It ’ s offered in 1 / 8- , 3 / 16- , 1 / 4- and 3 / 8-ounce weights .
Hybrid Swimmer , Big Bite Baits – Neal ’ s cross between a fluke-style plastic and conventional swimbait has a subtle , quivering action that lends itself to a variety of presentation options . The bait features a ribbed body and unique tail design with features of both forked-tail and paddle-tail plastics . Made to pair with Big Bite ’ s Pendulate Jig Head ( see below ), it has a concave head that conforms to the jighead ’ s contour . It ’ s offered in 3.3- and 3.8-inch lengths and eight colors .
Pendulate Jig Head , Big Bite Baits – Designed to mate with the Hybrid Swimmer , this jig has a swivel built into the line tie to facilitate sudden bait movement and prevent line twist . It also features a custom , large-gap Gamakatsu hook with a bait keeper .
Hover Rig , Core Tackle – This brainchild of BPT pro Matt Stefan allows anglers to achieve the action of hover-strolling without adding a nail weight . The rig can be paired to a wide range of soft-plastic baits , from flukes to pintail minnows to straight-tail worms . It comes in five weights , ranging from 1 / 32 to 1 / 8 ounce , and four hook sizes ( No . 4 , No . 1 , 1 / 0 and 3 / 0 ). A weedless model , which includes a wire weed guard and comes in a few larger sizes , is also available .
Rhythm Wag , Jackall – This versatile fluke-style plastic is belly-weighted to achieve a balanced , more enticing fall and darting action . Available in 3.5- and 4.5-inch sizes .
DriftFry Mellow and DriftFry Forage , Jackall – This shad-style soft plastic from Japan stakes a unique claim to the category with its webbed fork tail and small plastic lip , which gives it a rolling action . It includes a slot to add a nail weight for hover-strolling applications . The Forage measures 4 inches , while the Mellow is 5.2 .
Guppy Head , Dirty Jigs Tackle – Made for small swimbaits , this compact jighead features a 90-degree line tie . A stacked-cone bait keeper spreads jig weight while holding soft plastics in place . It ’ s available in four weights ( from 1 / 8 to 3 / 8 ounce ), each of which come with 1 / 0 and 3 / 0 VMC hook options .
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DEEP ( JERKBAIT ) THOUGHTS
No lure has become more synonymous with forward-facing sonar than the jerkbait . Its suspending nature allows it to be worked at and kept in a bass ’ s strike zone and offers the angler a wide range of presentation options . Strike King brand manager Lucas Murphy notes that the jerkbait has the added advantage of easier screen recognition , its twitches and jerks exposing the bait ’ s flanks to sonar beams .
As anglers have found new uses for jerkbaits , manufacturers have responded by releasing new lures with upgraded components and extended horizontal and vertical reach .
In 2022 , Spro released the McStick 110 Plus One , a 1 / 2- ounce iteration of the Mike McClelland-designed jerkbait that can dive nine to 12 feet . Bill Lewis also recently unveiled a line of jerkbaits made to be paired with FFS , the Scope Stik . The bait has pronounced sides , a more aggressive darting action and is available in floating , sinking or suspending models .
MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2024