BERKLEY POWERBAIT NESSIE SOFT GLIDE BAIT COLOR : HITCH
promotion manager for Rapala , discovered that a 50-year-old ice fishing lure , the Jigging Rap , had all the makings of FFS stardom — rapid fall rate , erratic action and prominent screen image .
When video research revealed the lure ’ s action diminished at 20 feet and deeper , the stage was set for the development of the Jigging Rap Magnum — a heavier , larger-profile version that swims in circles and darts erratically as it falls , mimicking the action of a dying baitfish with its circular descent . “ It glides and darts and does figure eights ,” says Quinn . “ It acts like a puppet .”
New in this model is a swiveling VMC belly treble hook to improve landing ratio . With a length of 2.75 inches and weight of 1 1 / 8 ounce , it can reach depths where fish seldom see a lure ( Quinn reports catching bass as deep as 100 feet with it using FFS ).
Quinn advises anglers to “ know the direction the fish are going ” when working them vertically . While the Jigging Rap Magnum falls faster than just about anything else on the market , when you ’ re targeting fish that deep , you need to anticipate where the lure will intercept them .
“ You can sharpshoot fish with this bait ,” he says . “ But it is important to lead them as they ’ re swimming .”
“ Smaller , finesse presentations have become increasingly popular , but magnum lures still have their place in the video game world .”
GOING BIG !
Big baits for big fish ? The old axiom is heard less often when talk turns to forward-facing sonar . In fact , with more anglers able to find and target fish than ever before , smaller , finesse presentations have become increasingly popular . But magnum lures still have their place in the video game world .
“ A glide bait is excellent with forward-facing sonar ,” says Spro marketing head Syd Rives . “ You can see it easily on the screen , and it can draw big fish out of brush piles .”
Indeed , glide baits and other oversized offerings are carving out a “ search bait ” niche in FFS fishing . Swim a glide like Berkley ’ s PowerBait Nessie or big swimbait like Spro ’ s new Megalojohn next to a dock or over a fishy-looking offshore spot , and any big fish hiding in the cover will often emerge . It might not actually bite , but having a flukestyle bait , shaky head worm or drop-shot presentation at the ready often finishes the job on reluctant followers .
Live sonar usage will likely only increase in the years to come . For lure manufacturers , the rush is on to design more and better baits for use with the technology , whether it be new twists on old standbys or novel lures altogether . Arm yourself with some of these tools to maximize your effectiveness .
One of the most prolific pros with forward-facing sonar , Michael Neal helped develop a jighead / swimbait combination for use with the technology .
PHOTO BY GARRICK DIXON
40 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | FEBRUARY-MARCH 2024