| While there are some so-called 'new' bass lures on the | | | | ultralite Critters, Crazy Crawler, and the Zara Spook. |
| market, in actuality they are just re-vamped normal | | | | New offerings are just different color schemes of the |
| designs. There are a few exceptions: | | | | same. |
| The Banjo Minnow: Not really a new lure, but a | | | | Subsurface Plugs-also known as crankbaits, these |
| different way of rigging a soft plastic bait. The | | | | include classics like the |
| infomercial says that it makes the lure move more | | | | Big O, Shad-Rap, Hellbender, Lazy Ike, Little George |
| naturally. | | | | and Little Suzy, Cotton |
| I've watched videos of it, and it doesn't move any | | | | Cordell's Jointed Minnows, Bombers, and Yo Zuri Snap |
| better than a lot of baits already on the market. Will it | | | | Beans. Again, new offerings are just new colors. |
| catch fish? Probably, at least sometimes. Is it better | | | | Soft Baits-these are jigs rigged with soft plastic bodies |
| than baits already on the market? I doubt it. If you like | | | | that imitate every aquatic creature in the planet, and |
| them, use them. | | | | some that only exist in nightmares! |
| The Flying Lure: A normal tube jig with a reversed | | | | They catch all predator species, in all waters, all the |
| weight on it. This causes the lure to swim AWAY | | | | time, fresh or saltwater, inshore, offshore or along the |
| from the casting point, keeping the line tight, and | | | | shore. |
| allowing it to 'swim' under undercuts and structure | | | | There are many different ways to rig them, and they |
| previously considered unreachable. | | | | are the most versatile lures an angler can have. The |
| Invented by Alex Langer in the 1970s, this lure really did | | | | industry standard is the still King of Lures, the Plastic |
| impact the market, and is still a good lure. Does it out | | | | Worm. This has probably accounted for more landed |
| fish others? Under some conditions, yes! Is it better | | | | fish than any other bait ever used, including live bait. |
| than standard lures? No. It is a specialty lure that is one | | | | Other models imitate shad, crustaceans, minnows and |
| more tool for your tackle box. | | | | other baitfish. |
| I'd recommend having a few, but I don't use them all | | | | They are the top choice of most pro Tournament |
| the time. They work best near heavy structure and | | | | anglers. One of the top trout lures is the Trout Magnet, |
| undercuts. | | | | a soft inchworm-type bait that almost never fails if you |
| The Bionic Minnow: A Banjo Minnow clone. There are | | | | find the right color combination for that particular time. |
| other 'TV' , supposedly 'new' lures out there, but suffice | | | | This catagory also includes Tube Baits, which are |
| to say they are mostly for catching fisherman. | | | | phenominal. Also, the ultra-successful Sassy Shad |
| Lure fall into a few basic catagories: | | | | family. |
| Surface Plugs- the industry standard is the Heddon | | | | There is little new here. They already come in every |
| Chugger, and Rapala Poppers. Others that are | | | | size, color and shape imaginable. How can you |
| time-proven are the Jitterbug, Torpedo, Hula Popper, | | | | improve on perfection? If I could only have one type of |
| Lucky 13, Devils Horse, Rapala Floating Minnow, Rebel | | | | lure, this would be it, hands down! |