Lure fishing for Bass

Megabass X-140 SW, #04 INAKKO (Baby Mullet)

I’ve never used the MegaBass X-120SW, though I had heard good things about it, but when the X-140 SW came out I couldn’t resist. Like all Megabass lures the finish is great and I particularly like this mullet colour, I’ve always done very well with the Feed Shallow 128 No. 11 (Mullet colour) and although this is a very different lure I’ve already had success with it, although they where only small bass I was experimenting because the fishing was slow, so I’m already impressed.

Described as having a High Pitch Rolling action I guess I’d have to agree, it’s not an exaggerated action, it’s tight, with not very much feedback through the rod but if you look at the lure in the water you’ll notice how well it shows it’s bottom, top and obviously sides on a simple retrieve which certainly looks attractive reflecting available light in a pulsating way. The lure casts really well, with a true flight and decent distance and swims at a useful depth of around half a metre.

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Model: X-140 SW Manufacturer: Megabass
Length: 140mm   Weight: 19.5g    Dives: 30 – 60cm

Storm Chug Bug – Madflash

The Storm Chug Bug is an established favourite, reffered to as the “do-everything” topwater lure, it’s been around for years but in terms of finish it’s starting to look it’s age though that’s all changed with the 2010 Storm Chug Bug – Madflash.

So what’s the difference, well firstly don’t worry, they haven’t messed with the action it’s still a great little lure which pops and spits and at rest sits in that hit inducing tail down position, it’s easy to walk the dog but I find it’s best to just give little jerks to make it spit a bit of water a few times and then pause, allow it to settle and sit back and wait, if you don’t get a hit repeat.

The loud single ball rattle is still present but it’s the external scaled body with internal MadFlash holographics that makes this new model stand out from the old version, I’m sure this will help make a difference, especially when used in clear water conditions where the extra attraction will be most noticeable. Those large trade mark bug eyes are the same at the front and at the rear there’s the interesting looking VMC SureSet tail hook which is a treble hook with the top most of the three hooks extended, I presume to aid hook ups.

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Model: Chug Bug – MadFlash CMB08  Manufacturer: Storm
Length: 80mm   Weight: 11g    Dives: Surface

Z-Claw Gan Craft, Colour: JA-AYU, rattling

So when I first tried a Z-Claw I wasn’t that impressed, I was expecting a fairly standard walk the dog lure, but it kept diving under but here in lies the secret of the Z-Claw – it’s versatile. I has an uncertain action, just under the surface it flutters and rolls, on the surface a walk the dog action is easy but for me it’s not until you really slow things down that this lure really comes into it’s own. Fished in a current, with just the odd twitch or a turn of the handle on your reel accompanied with long pauses seems to be all that’s needed, this compact lure just attracts aggressive hits, which usually result in a hook up. The same is true when there’s some chop to the water, just let it get knocked around, leave it out there, just taking in line to stay in contact, give it the odd twitch, bass just can’t seem to resist.

Why should a lure attract bass when there is little to no action being imparted, I think it’s all down to the scavenging instinct of a bass, just as a lure with a strong action is still mimicking an injured bait fish, a lure left to be washed around by waves or carried along in a current is imitating a very near or in-fact dead fish, an easy meal for sure.

At 100mm long and weighing 20g the Z-Claw casts well, a worthy addition to anyones top water collection, I always have one in my lure box, whatever the mark.

Model: Z-Claw Gan Craft  Manufacturer: Gan Craft / Zenith
Length: 100mm   Weight: 20g    Dives: Surface

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Duo Custom Rough Trail 130S, S-09 Mackerel

So spring is here and with a bit of luck, hopefully sooner rather than later, large numbers of bass will move inshore. Am I ready, well I know one thing, I have a lure for almost any situation, to be honest I have several to choose from for any mark whether it’s an estuary, open beach or rock mark, whether it’s dead calm or building up to a gale.

Do I need the amount of lures I have to catch a load of fish this year, well no, I could get away with far less but there is method in my madness, there is a justification I can make to myself, there is reason behind this obsessive purchase of more tackle bling, I just can’t for the life of me remember what it is.

Seriously though there is occasion when a certain lure can rescue a session, on those tuff days when you know bass are there but your just not getting them to commit, having a good selection of lures in your tackle box can give you options. It may be a question of a certain profile, action, colour or combination of each that just turns on the instinct for a bass to hit a lure with intent rather than just having a look.

Sometimes it’s conditions that dictate the need for a specific lure, if it’s dead calm a lure with a very load rattle will possibly do you no favours alternatively if there’s a big swell you’ll need a lure that can cope. To this end I think the Duo Custom Rough Trail 130S could be an answer, it’s oversized thick diving lip is strong, it’s body is thicker than the standard Tide Minnows, it’s made for the rough stuff and apparently in an angry sea even on a very fast retrieve it stays stable and keeps it’s wobbling rolling action. For it’s relatively short length of 130mm, for this type of lure anyway, it’s heavy at 30g so despite it’s large lip it should still cast well.

Model: Rough Trail 130S   Manufacturer: Duo
Length: 130mm   Weight: 30g    Dives: Sinking

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