STRETCH 25+ These lures dive up to 30 feet (9 m) deep unassisted when trolled, making
them staples on saltwater boats.
GULP! MINNOW If a fish eats baitfish, it’ll eat a Gulp! Minnow. This versatile so bait comes
in a range of sizes.
MUSKY INNOVATIONS BULL DAWG
Its nose-down falling orientation and high-vibration tail turn trophy-
muskie heads.
SPRO PRIME BUCKTAIL Not all bucktails are created equally. The head shape and eye position of the Spro gives it a fluer
that’s unmatched.
ZOOM FLUKE The Fluke is at its best when rigged weedless and worked in a twitch-fall paern
off the boom.
RAPALA X-RAP Works best when twitched aggressively, producing an irresistible side-
to-side slashing action.
KEY
BASS
TROUT
WALLEYE
PANFISH
PIKE/
MUSKIE
SALMON/ STEELHEAD
SALTWATER
ZOOM BRUSH HOG
This creature bait collects fewer weeds and is the ideal length and girth for
Texas rigging.
ORIGINAL ILANDER Marlin and wahoo will inhale it, and the blue-and-white model
entices finicky bluefin tuna.
YO-ZURI PIN’S MINNOW If you need to imitate some iy-biy baitfish for trout or smallmouths, the 2 3⁄4-inch
(7 cm) Pin’s is the ticket.
MUSKY MAYHEM DOUBLE COWGIRL Two giant blades swing in a wide rotation, making unparalleled
vibrations.
STRIKE PRO FLEX X Strike Pro’s segmented swimbait was revolutionary as the first lure to feature “bicycle
chain” joints.
SÉBILE MAGIC SWIMMER The unique weight balance of this lure lets it continue swimming as it
falls forward on the pause.
CAVITRON BUZZBAIT
The wide blade keeps it on the surface at a slower turn rate, so it’s in the
strike zone longer.
REBEL CRICKHOPPER
This cricket-shaped crankbait flat-out slays every summer fish from
panfish to trout to bass.
SHIMANO BUTTERFLY JIG
This Japanese-style lure crushes everything from tuna
to grouper to snappers.
3
Rig me
Softly
These four rigging methodswill get any style of so-plastic lure ready for action.
WACKYRIG (A) This killer setup for bass involves hooking slim so-plastic bait through the middle. Both ends are le free to wiggle, and in most cases no weight is added. It’sespeciallyeffective with Senkos.
TUBE RIG (B) There are several good ways to rig tubes such as the Gitzit. Most oen I go with a small internal jighead. For a ⁄-inch ( cm) tube, use a /
⁄-ounce (. g), insider-style jighead. Insert the hook in the tube’s head and rotate it so it passes down inside the body without exiting. Continue by forcing the head of the jig into the tube, leaving only the hook eye exposed. Then work the hook point out and through the tube at the rear so the tube lies straight.
CAROLINA RIG(C) To make this commonrig forboom dredging, Texas-rig a worm or lizard but leave the hook eye exposed. Tie inches (6 cm) of clear leader between the hook and a small barrel swivel. On your main line, thread a brass Carolina weight (or lead sinker), followed by a small red glass bead, and tie your main
line to the other side of the swivel. The weight will click against the glass bead as you fish to help aract bass.
TEXAS RIG (D) Most oen used with plastic worms and lizards, this rig is adaptable to other baits, like jerkbaits. Put a conical worm weight on the line first and then aach the hook. Thread the hook point about ⁄ inch (. cm) into the worm’s head and then through the worm’s underside. Slide the worm up the hook shank so it just covers thehook eye. Rotate the hook until it faces upward toward the worm’s body. Grab the worm right behind the hook bend, push its body slightly forward, and then bring it back down on the hook point until
the point is almost but not quite all the way through the plastic. The bait should now lie straight. I use a / Gamakatsu offset-shank worm hook for a typical 6- or -inch ( to cm) worm, but any similar style is fine.
A
C
D
B
4
1.NIGHTCRAWLERS Whether you dig your own or pick up a container at the tackle shop, nightcrawlers are arguably the most universal bait used in freshwater.
2. CRAYFISH These freshwater crustaceans, best fished in rocky areas, are candy to bass, walleyes, and perch. You can use a whole live crayfish or just the tail meat.
3. FATHEAD MINNOWS These small, relatively inexpensive baitfish can be fished by themselves on a plain hook or on lead jighead for deeper presentations, as in ice fishing.
4. LEECHES Their dark color stands out in the water, and their
wiggle is hard for fish to resist. They’ll catch everything from perch to smallmouths but are best known as the premier live bait forwalleyes.
