With so many fishing lures on the market, and so many lcd tv’s at the tackle shop trying to catch our eyes, it is important to write a review on a couple of these gimmick bass lures, in order to keep you from getting ripped off.
Let me first begin by stating the obvious. When bass are very aggressive, as in the pre-spawn weeks, and during fall, I wouldn’t be going out on a limb to say that bass aren’t very selective during these times. Take a look sometime at what marine biologists find in the stomachs of sharks. Trash cans, shoes, lunch boxes, just about anything you can imagine. In the same way, these “As seen on TV” products can be picked up by any indescriminate fish that happens to be on a hunger binge. That is exactly what these TV commercials want you to see. They introduce the bait to hungry bass in a controlled environment, and trick you into believing that bass or other fish “can’t handle it.” This couldn’t be farther from the truth, and in the end, you’ll be out a pretty penny for these products. Let’s take a look at a few.
1) The Banjo Minnow - Everybody’s heard about this lure, and it has been around seemingly forever. The commercial is well put together, and the product’s action looks fantastic. They show bass after bass hitting this lure, over and over again. Then they offer it to you for a relatively low price, and hook you. Being someone that has a passion for fishing and lures, I had to buy a pack. Then, I received my package. Let me tell you the results.
First, the colors are completely ridiculous. If you have ever read an article about “matching the fry”, or “matching the hatch”, these lures won’t make the cut. Ranging from a ridiculous pick between glowing chartreuse, and a mix between clear and crest toothpaste with sparkles, you are far from matching the baitfish in the lake.
Second, the action looks good on tape, but far different in the water. The stars absolutely must align to make this bait perform the way you want it to. I do have to say that the dying minnow look is special, and I have seen bass engulf this lure…but only during the MOST aggressive days of the year. Your line tends to twist when using this product causing the bait to spin and whirl, instead of bolt and die. The hook through the nose is a great idea, but must be approached with care, as the bass must engulf the ENTIRE lure before setting. This does happen…once again…on highly aggressive days. However, on the day where the bass just seem to be slapping your bait, you have a much higher chance of foul hooking it than landing it through the lip.
Last, these baits are cheaply made. It is only a matter of a few casts, when the “life-like” eyes coming falling our of your lure, leaving nothing but a cold “Jaws-like” gray. It doesn’t really bother me, because these lures christened the bottom of my supply compartment anyways.
Conclusion? Stay away from these lures. Save your $20+ after shipping, and buy the basics….
2) The Blade Dancer - I was eager to try these lures out after seeing an lcd tv commercial at my local fishing shop. I believe Berkeley puts out great products for the most part, but these are absolutely garbage. Of course, in the video, they are hammering bass after bass, and pike afte pike on this lure. I immediately bought the tackle shop out of this lure, and tried them out. Verdict? Absolute garbage.
First, the lures are very expensive. They give you only one spoon, which you attach the remaining lures to throughout use. Lock this lure up on a log, and your whole pack is gone.
Second, I’ve cast this lure out in the most aggressive times…I’ve worked on swimming the lure, jigging the lure, and doing everything universally that the video talks about, and all I did was foul hook a perch on accident in the side.
Lastly, the action does look amazing, yet, the presentation is very hard to control. Either you get a violent wobbling of the lure, or nothing at all. This cannot work on days where you need to really slow your presentation. I will say, that in late summer and early fall, I have had a lot of success landing Northern Pike. Again, however, anybody who goes bass fishing during this time has inevitably hit a pike with a grub or senko on accident. I’m not sold that this is the only lure for pike. However, with the flash of the spoon, and violent wobbling, at the right time of the year, this can be a pike killer.
Conclusion, stay away from this lure unless you are singling out pike for the day. Only work it during late summer, early fall, when pike are most aggressive. When you see a TV advertising a lure…Keep walking!!!
Stick to the basics. Buy yourself a few jigs, cranks, spinnerbaits, and plastics, such as a ribbon worm, and Senko. These will keep the price down, but fill your tackle box with universal baits for anytime of the year. Companies try to use these “As seen on TV” methods to make a lure “original”. I have only one comment for that. There is a reason why these lures weren’t sold in MASS quantites to sports and tackle shops…They would just take up more shelf space.
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