Has anyone tried any of these expensive minnow baits that are turning up on the bass fishing tournaments? Some that come to mind are the Lucky Craft Pointer or the Jackall Squad Minnow. I'm sure they catch fish but I'm looking for opinions on if they are worth the extra $$ over say a Rap. I have done well on the Live Target Smelt and Golden Shiner for Walleyes but can't justify too many variations. Thanks!

quote Arlo Pankook: "Has anyone tried any of these expensive minnow baits that are turning up on the bass fishing tournaments? Some that come to mind are the Lucky Craft Pointer or the Jackall Squad Minnow. I'm sure they catch fish but I'm looking for opinions on if they are worth the extra $$ over say a Rap. I have done well on the Live Target Smelt and Golden Shiner for Walleyes but can't justify too many variations. Thanks!"

Minnow baits are reaction baits, and as long as they have an injured minnow action to them, they could be painted like a beer can and still work. In my opinion those very expensive lures are meant to catch your dollars, not more fish .

I find more and more that small details can make all the difference for me. Agree to disagree? :)

quote Arlo Pankook: "I find more and more that small details can make all the difference for me. Agree to disagree? :)"

On suspending minnow baits in cold water I would agree with you, any other time with minnow baits i dont think it matters, we will agree to disagree :-)

For active fish I would totally agree with your statement. For neutral or negative fish often you can "make" a fish bite by paying attention to details and refining your presentation-profile, action or color. I believe some days it can make the difference between catching 2 or 22. I hate the saying "they aren't biting today."

Just throw a Zulu..... :-)

quote QueticoMike: "Just throw a Zulu..... :-)"

Nah...Slug-o's and Zoom Flukes all the way! :)

the original, the Suspending Rattling Rogue, is still the best. Excellent hooks, ability to suspend(hover)...and that is the crux...ability to hover. Work the the lure over a ledge(ledge being shallower, warmer), and let it sit....2-5-8 sec. until the predator goes for it. Exact color not necessary, just close. Correctly working the lure is 99% of this presentation. And this presentation accounted for near-50% of the fish in the recent Bassmasters Classic. It is a cold water technique, 42-48 degrees. Baitfish seeking warmer water, when the main lake is still cold. QM's suggestion quite viable, but only when temp.above 48(plastic does not undulate well below 48). Along those lines, hair jigs and pork have bellter action below 48 degrees...living rubber and soft plastics come into their own 50-52-55 degrees. Spending HARD EARNED money on high end lures feeds the top pros. The guys who are sponsored by Lucky Craft do not buy them, they are given dozens at a time. I am a big fan of Tommy Biffle and Edwin Evers, and I listen to them when they talk about technique, not sponsors. The Arbogast "Arbys" are the blueprint for this genre, honed on the highland reservoirs of Ark. and Mizzou.

Not worth the extra money unless endorsement money is involved.

For the BW? May as well just feed them to the pike. Forget it. Which is not to say I don't buy them. I like Bomber's action shallow, or X-Rap. I basically use them in the spring until it's too weedy or snaggy, then go to a Senko or fluke type.

My take on this is that its pretty well directly connected to how pressured the fish are. I also think that if you are a tourny fisherman, then a few extra dollars might pay off in lots of extra cash. Some of the jajapnese minnow baits are pretty nice but super pricey.

If anyone is interested, there is a Finnish guy over on iceshanty.com, piccu or some like that, who makes ice fishing lures (jigging rap type) using real skins from baitfish. He catches fish like chub, blue gills etc, skins them, lets it dry a bit, then adheres them to a cast lead jig body. Some epoxy type coating and done. They look awesome. If anyone is interested, I can post a few pics.

Moonman.

The Lucky Craft Pointer is supposed to have a little wiggle when it comes to a stop. I think I need one or two.

It seems to me like there is always one lure that will out perform all others on that given day. Weather it dives a foot deeper, is shiny-er or is 1/2" longer it produces best that day.

I could care less about branding, I just want to catch the most and biggest fish possible.

quote Basspro69: "

quote Arlo Pankook: "Has anyone tried any of these expensive minnow baits that are turning up on the bass fishing tournaments? Some that come to mind are the Lucky Craft Pointer or the Jackall Squad Minnow. I'm sure they catch fish but I'm looking for opinions on if they are worth the extra $$ over say a Rap. I have done well on the Live Target Smelt and Golden Shiner for Walleyes but can't justify too many variations. Thanks!"

Minnow baits are reaction baits, and as long as they have an injured minnow action to them, they could be painted like a beer can and still work. In my opinion those very expensive lures are meant to catch your dollars, not more fish ."

Beer cans?

quote Arlo Pankook: "The Lucky Craft Pointer is supposed to have a little wiggle when it comes to a stop. I think I need one or two.

It seems to me like there is always one lure that will out perform all others on that given day. Weather it dives a foot deeper, is shiny-er or is 1/2" longer it produces best that day.

I could care less about branding, I just want to catch the most and biggest fish possible. "

I wouldn't buy one of those expensive lures because I would never use it----being too afraid that I might lose it on the first troll or cast :) It's happened :)


I do agree with you though. Some cranks (brand, color, shape, wiggle/wobble, depth, size/shape etc...) just do better than others for a variety of reasons. I've looked at the Live Target Smelt and thought to myself that might slay Lakers, just didn't pull the trigger. You sort of get a feeling over the years which cranks (previous variables mentioned) work under certain conditions, with certain fish---so just looking at a lure and it's feature I think you can have a good idea if it will work or not.

T

I have not. I do believe subtle differences can make a big difference and would not be opposed to trying a higher end bait. Seems like I have had enough success with standard xraps and jerks - haven't felt the need. Although, I have coughed up the big coin for a couple of Sebile swimbaits that I do like.

I was in Reeds a couple of weeks ago, thought I saw some luckycraft baits in a sale bin back by the Northland tackle jig racks....

If you got the dough, go. You're right, there might be a day when a little bit different lure is called for, then you'll have it.
On those real tough bite days, though, a live chub looks even more life-like.

Minnow baits are reaction baits, and as long as they have an injured minnow action to them, they could be painted like a beer can and still work. In my opinion those very expensive lures are meant to catch your dollars, not more fish ."

Funny thing you mentioned that, in my younger years me and a friend would ice skate around lakes in the winter and find all sorts of tackle. Found a lure that looked like a very small Budweiser can.
lure

Really caught fish with it. It's. retired now.

yea, exact color makes a huge difference......the Bohemia-Victoria color is my FAV. Actually, Dogbolter is an alltime Fav(oh no, beer and lure color the same!!) Arlo, don't spend good money when YOUR technique is the key......KVD, Swindle, Biffle are just trying to sell us lures, not technique. It is technique that catches fish. Listen to the big-boys concerning technique. the rest is massaging their sponsors...

quote Arlo Pankook: I just want to catch the most and biggest fish possible. "

We've all seen your photos, Arlo. Don't know what more you could want.
:)

I don't get so selective for Bass, you can catch them on two colors light and dark. Walleyes on the other hand don't always bite artificial but it seems like if you tinker with profile, action and color you can really make hay. There were a few days last year when a live target smelt was the ONLY lure anyone could catch walleyes on. I was sure glad I spent the $12.99.

Stop it! I've resisted buying that lure for a few years now....



T

Yeah, I have never tried them on Lake Trout....