EAPON OF CHOICE
L U R E
HEADS
Two metal head options have
different profiles for shore or
offshore use. Weights for Shore
heads are 3, 5, 12, 20, 30 and
60g, while the Off Shore heads
are available in 6, 10, 25, 40, 60
and 120g weights.
Fiiish
HOLLOW BODY
The Black Minnow body features a
cavity that houses the large gape
hook. The fact that the hook isn’t
buried in rubber allows for more
movement, it also allows for a
weedless set-up.
Bodies are available in 70, 90,
120, 140, 160 and 200mm
lengths
Bass
COLOUR OPTIONS
In total there are eight different
colour options for the Black
Minnow body, through natural,
glitters and bright options,
although they’re not available in all
of the sizes.
BLACK
MINNOW
Like jelly and ice cream, the combo
of Black Minnow and bass just
works.
A relatively new lure designed
by French firm Fiiish, the Black
Minnow has taken Europe by storm
over the last few years (and we’re
sure the march won’t stop there).
The secret is a simple one, bass nail
them like their lives depend on it.
Whether from shore or afloat, these
soft plastics with their lure-specific
heads keep producing the goods
– with a string of bass, including
some monsters, attesting to their
pulling power.
The key element of the Black
Minnow is its action. Essentially
a paddle tail shad, the lure comes
in three parts. The body itself has
plenty of movement, the cast rubber
is nice and soft. Then there’s the
head, which doesn’t incorporate
a hook but a locating wire that
the third part of the lure, the
Fiiish ‘Krog’ hook, fits on and then
mounts into the body. The result of
this three-part arrangement allows
for large articulation of the body
as the hook moves around on the
pivot point at the back of the head.
It’s a perfectly tuned system that
gives a brilliantly realistic prey fish
movement in the water, whether
jigged or retrieved.
That’s not where the fun ends,
though. Thanks to a hollow belly
design and the wide gape and shape
of the hook the Black Minnow can
also be fished weedless, allowing
you access to those horrible, snagfilled holes fish love to sit in.
And there’s the plethora of
options. Six body lengths, two metal
head types across 12 weights, plus
a resin head and a choice of nine
colours – head spinning yet?
To cover all angling options
the two metal head types are
designated Shore and Off Shore.
Off Shore is longer with a lower
line profile that makes it hold
down in current. The extra length
bullets it down quicker, while that
MIX N MATCH
Black Minnows are available to buy
ready-rigged or you can purchase
the individual components to
create a number of head weight/
body colour options.
characteristic to push down against
the flow makes it easier to hold the
lure in the ‘zone’. The Shore head
does the opposite. Short in length
with a rounded lower line it stays
up off the bottom for longer on the
retrieve, ideal for bringing it back to
shore over rough ground. And then
there’s the resin head which is for
shallow use – less weight equals a
slower fall, meaning you can keep it
up in the top layers if that’s where
the bass are feeding.
The bottom line of these lures is
that if you haven’t tried them yet for
your bass fishing – or pollack, they
love ’em too – you’re missing out.