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mastertangler
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03/23/2017 05:43AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Trout and pan fishermen and UL bass fishermen should do themselves a favor and take a look at the Ugly Duckling balsa lures. I have mentioned their effectiveness before having seen some considerable damage done on big trout in Tennessee with a twin pair of 20" Rainbows coming off a fairly small watershed (Tellico river).

So I ordered several to take for coaster Brook trout fishing and am pleased with what I see. Very nice lures. The hooks are good but I am going to take 2 of them and remove front and rear treble and replace it with a Trokar siwash salmon style hook in size #1 and add a small curly tail. That would make the 2" offering closer to 3" and add a bit more weight for long distance casting.

In any event check them out, I think they would be killer for trout and panfish in the smaller sizes. As with any balsa wood lures (original rapalas etc) the key to making them "come alive" is light tackle........the lighter the better. If you have never seen an original Rapala on 4lb test line (Trilene green XT) do yourself a favor and check it out. They literally are a different lure than when fished on heavier line.

There are no split rings on the Ducklings so I strongly suggest a fas snap (of course I do) which is the ultimate light tackle clip for a wide variety of situations. Once you use these you will most likely do as I have done and install them permanently on most lures which require a split ring (anybody need split rings? I sell them by the pound). Do not make the mistake of using the fas snap clips as a method to change lures......mistake. Just tie a new knot and leave the clip attached.

This cat likes them for walleye

manufacturing process

Spent my morning coffee time digging around on the net.......quite a bit about guys catching walleye with them. Variety of sizes, made in Serbia. Interesting that they are cheaper here in the states (although still not cheap). I might have to try some in their larger sizes as well.
 
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missmolly
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03/23/2017 10:34AM  
MT, you use the most esoteric lures. If I ever fished with you, I imagine you pulling an a chartreuse Evil Boll Weevil from your tackle box and telling me that waders in Finland have had great success catching fat zander with them by the light of the Northern Lights.

Then you'd say to me, "Molly, a liberal like you must believe in diversity of tackle. Show me what you got."

And I'd say, "At least they're different colors."

 
mastertangler
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03/23/2017 11:03AM  
Wow........that is a pile of Rapalas! Looks like some night trolling for big walleye is in order.

The Ugly Ducklings were never on my radar. I met a guy on Quiet Journey.com and it was obvious we shared a great passion for fishing. I met him and had dinner a few times while passing through Tennessee and eventually we fished together. He turned me on to the Ugly Ducklings which he found somewhere in Ely of all places.

Anyway he smacked 2 whopper rainbows (the largest he had ever caught on the Tellico) on a frigid morning which started out in the low thirties. We caught quite a few fish that day and had a great time. I was left impressed with the Ducklings.

For those who are going on spring trips sit up and take notice. Prey species are usually on the smaller side early on and these would excel in canoe country. Again fish as light as you dare.......... any balsa lure comes alive with skinny tackle.

I'm going to use them for trout but I bet they would also do well in any finesse situation.

 
missmolly
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03/23/2017 01:33PM  
I have to buy them by the fistful. I stalk the bass, but the pike stalk me. I do remove the center hooks and replace the other two with barbless, which helps, as half the pike who cut my line will jump right away and throw the lure. I've found some of my lures the next summer, missing hooks and bleached to worthlessness.

The Ugly Ducklings do look nice, but if I fished a hundred days a year in pike-infested water with two-pound test, I still wouldn't run out of crankbaits.
 
iwegean
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03/23/2017 02:57PM  
Red Rock Store, east of Ely has a good selection. Size 6DR is a good size for Bass & Walleye.
Locally, I have caught stream trout and Yellow Bass on the smaller sizes (2F & 3F).
I am always looking at "new" lures/techniques....of course, this means I bring far too much tackle on my BW trips. Trying new things is much more appealing than using the "old" tried and true. That's just me. Someone else might prefer the comfort of knowing, what they are using is going to work. Neither is wrong or right.
 
mastertangler
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03/23/2017 06:08PM  
quote iwegean: "Red Rock Store, east of Ely has a good selection. Size 6DR is a good size for Bass & Walleye.
Locally, I have caught stream trout and Yellow Bass on the smaller sizes (2F & 3F).
I am always looking at "new" lures/techniques....of course, this means I bring far too much tackle on my BW trips. Trying new things is much more appealing than using the "old" tried and true. That's just me. Someone else might prefer the comfort of knowing, what they are using is going to work. Neither is wrong or right."


Man after my own heart.......I to like trying out new stuff even though I know I can catch them on the "tried and true". Yellow bass? Is that a cowardly bass? Or the Canadian moniker for walleye?

I am seriously chomping at the bit to go fishing........All work and no play makes MT a dull boy.......I have been 7 days a week since August WCPP. During the month of May I have a 3 day deep drop trip to Pulley Ridge coming up which should be a blast and a june trip after a show in Buffalo NY at Presque Isle state park in Erie Pennsylvania for 3 or 4 days to fish for bass, pike and musky. Should be fun......If any BWCA members are near give me a heads up so I can stay at your house........I mean so we can fish together and grab some dinner afterwards. ;-)
 
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