With an arched back and flared gills, the Kinchou is supposed to have an extra-wide wobble that—together with its internal steel bearing—creates a resonance and vibration underwater unlike that from lures that it resembles.

By and large, the test crew agreed this well-made bait will certainly perform. But will the lure’s nuances help it outfish old standby models of similar design? Most guides didn’t think so. “This is a very good-looking bait and I have no doubt that the erratic action will catch fish, but there are lots of similar baits that are proven producers,” Jim Burks said.

Like many of the guides on our test panel, I didn’t feel the unusual shape of this lure achieved an action that set it apart from the straight-back twitchbaits in my tackle bag. It might be fair to say, however, that the arched profile alone could help draw a few more strikes, as it gives the lure a different silhouette in the water.

“I will say that this bait suspended very well and overperformed when stopping and starting,” Kersey told me. “Many lures of this style roll or tangle when you stop or start the retrieve,... [ Read Full Post ]

Available in 1⁄2- or 3⁄8-ounce models, these jigs have bead chains attached to their heads that run down through the skirt. The chains are meant to emit sound and vibration when bumped along the bottom. They also add weight.

Just about every test guide noted that they were intrigued by the Crazy Leg’s design right out of the gate, believing the chains were a smart addition to an otherwise standard lure. It was also praised unanimously for being well made. In the water, however, the chains collected weeds and hindered presentation.

“In dirty water, combined with the right trailer, I think the chains could help attract more bass to the lure,” Nathan Fields said. “But in clear or highly pressured water, the chains may actually repel fish. Simpler can be better in those conditions.”

Rating: 3 stars
MSRP: $6
Number of bass caught during testing: 3
Other species caught during testing: None

CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL BASS LURE TEST [ Read Full Post ]

Available in 1⁄2- or 3⁄8-ounce models, these jigs have bead chains attached to their heads that run down through the skirt. The chains are meant to emit sound and vibration when bumped along the bottom. They also add weight.

Just about every test guide noted that they were intrigued by the Crazy Leg’s design right out of the gate, believing the chains were a smart addition to an otherwise standard lure. It was also praised unanimously for being well made. In the water, however, the chains collected weeds and hindered presentation.

“In dirty water, combined with the right trailer, I think the chains could help attract more bass to the lure,” Nathan Fields said. “But in clear or highly pressured water, the chains may actually repel fish. Simpler can be better in those conditions.”

Rating: 3 stars
MSRP: $6
Number of bass caught during testing: 3
Other species caught during testing: None

CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL BASS LURE TEST [ Read Full Post ]

Made of tough, clear plastic, with very lifelike holographic cores and eyes, Bento Baits are professed to be “the most realistic baitfish imitators on the market,” coming to life with the slightest movements.

Because the Bento Bait is light, slender, and small—3 to 41⁄2 inches—a jighead or a drop-shot rig is the only way to deliver one properly. But considering how popular and effective drop-shotting has become, our test guides didn’t seem to mind this limitation. “I believe when fished in clear water, this bait will produce more strikes than other similar baits,” Fields told me. “However, in murky water, I don’t think it would be as effective because you’d lose the detail.” While all of the guides felt this lure would be a fish catcher, most echoed those sentiments.

Rating: 3.5 stars
MSRP: $7.50 per pack
Number of bass caught during testing: 14
Other species caught during testing: Peacock bass, lake trout, brown trout, crappies
CLICK HERE FOR OUR COMPLETE BASS LURE TEST
[ Read Full Post ]

By T. Edward Nickens

Two things I know: You can never have enough cordage, and you need a little bit—or a lot—of a lot of different kinds. At home, I keep lines and ropes stashed in two places: a good-sized plastic tote, and hanging from a hodge-podge of nails driven into the walls. I keep a pretty good collection in my truck, too—from parachute cord to mid-diameter climbing rope to a seriously stout tow strap. Because you never know.

Twisted rope, also called laid rope, has a spiral look due to the (typically) three strands that are twisted together. A lot of what you see is the inexpensive yellow polypropylene stuff that you can buy in any corner drugstore. It has a tendency to kink up, and it’s not the strongest rope design out there. But twisted poly rope has its uses. It’s impervious to water, and it’s one of the few ropes that sink, which has its value in some rescue situations. And in its yellow form, it’s very visible. And while polypro twisted rope isn’t easy to knot, it is cheap enough that I keep some around (webriggingsupply.com).

Braided ropes are made by weaving fiber... [ Read Full Post ]

By John Merwin

I review and report on lots of new fishing tackle over the course of a year. Some reels and rods are inevitably much improved, and I love the technical innovations. But I occasionally think that maybe I’m too enamored of new things. So what about the old stuff?

In pondering this, I decided I could be perfectly happy fishing with the same things I was using 20 years ago. In fact, some of the “old stuff” doesn’t seem old at all and still functions perfectly. Here are some examples: [ Read Full Post ]