Lure Lunacy-LJ/Snakeden Round 3

Posted on by Troy Jackson

In the final half of the Sweet 16 collection of lures, things get old school, create a buzz, turn wacky, and we finally get a resolution to the much anticipated “Baby” showdown.

Little John Region

Jig & Pig (1) vs. Shad Rap (4)
Matchup: These two lures have done battle before as they often vie for the bookend bass of each fishing year. Cold water specialists that you should have on the end of your line right now.
Results: While the Shad Rap can somehow entice that cold water bite when other baits can’t get it done, the jig & pig generally gets bigger bites. Generally speaking, when I get out in the cold water period I only have a narrow window of time on the water. In that time I am basically looking for one bite. And I’ve seen some good ones on the jig & pig which push it on to the region final.

KVD Squarebill (3) vs. Booyah Buzzbait (2)
Matchup: The KVD Squarebill owes a debt of gratitude to the Poe’s Crankbaits that bowed out in the first round of our tourney. Built to deflect off of structure, and with a little practice, these lures can save you a few bucks and nab you some more bass. Be very careful when you pick up a buzzbait. If the timing is right and you run into some early quality bites, you may be in trouble.
Results: Crankbait effectiveness is taken up a notch when you can run the bait into something whether it be wood, rock or the lake bottom. Sure is fun to get that thump after a bump but the explosion of a surface buzzbait strike is over the top. Every once in a while one of those buzzbait bass will fool you too, just barely slurping the bait in with hardly a ripple. You never know until you set the hook but wait for the weight before you do so. Easier said than done on our topwater winner that moves on to the next round.

 

Snakeden Region

Senko Wacky Rig (1) vs. Rapala Floating Minnow (4)
Matchup: Tackle selection got a bit wacky back on May 22, 2005 at Lake Bracken when I broke down and tied on a plain looking worm to try out a new presentation. As they say, “The rest is history” and I’ve had one tied on ever since. Speaking of history, the Rapala Floating Minnow, originally crafted in Finland circa 1930s, caught the eye of American anglers in the 1960s. All these years later, the tackle aisles are still stocked with the “Original Floater”
Results: Shame on me, perhaps, that my last floating minnow catch came in 2006. Dad has busted it back out on several occasions in the meantime but I seemed to have forgotten my roots. Such can be fishing these days with overwhelming offerings tugging at an angler’s mind. The Senko, on the other hand, has been on a spinning rod nearly every trip since that tackle changing first catch back in 2005. The Senko moves on but I’ll make a note to dust of the Rapala this spring if conditions permit.

Mann’s Baby 1- (3) vs. Baby Brush Hog (2)
Matchup: The media blitz for the “Battle of the Baby’s” has hit a fever pitch in the days leading up to this matchup. Fierce allegiances have spiked merchandising, The Babys rock group has seen a resurgence in radio airplay and internet hits and a variation on a popular 70s soft drink jingle has resurfaced. Anybody recall the original version of “I’m a baby, he’s a baby, she’s a baby…wouldn’t you like to be a baby, too?” Okay, maybe not, but I could see it happening.
Results: When the bass tell me that I need to slow down, I occasionally listen. And when I do, I often reach for the Baby Brush Hog. Just did that last year in fact, so the Zoom creature represents a contemporary lure. As does the Baby 1- which also reeled in a few in 2019. The fast moving Baby wins out in this matchup as that’s my speed and for many years my lifestyle with four kids.

 

We have our Elite 8 baits and little rest for the contenders (and the blogger) as the show must go on. Talk to you later. Troy

Lure Lunacy – Storey/Emiquon Round 3

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Back in business with the first two regions of the Sweet Sixteen. No sense in giving a rambling intro as the lures speak for themselves.

Storey Region

Zara Spook (1) vs. Mepps (5)
Matchup: A classic battle that originated for me in the mid-80s. Both lures were already legends when one found me and I found one. The Mepps was a fixture in Dad’s arsenal and one of “only two lures you need to catch some bass” (more on the other one tomorrow). The Spook was something Brent and I read about and couldn’t pass up at a tackle wholesale outlet on Grand Avenue ran by Dom and Pete Calderone.
Results: While both have faded from regular use among me and my fishing partners, they each hold many memories. Not only the memorable catches but the origins of how this whole thing once began with a handful of lures and a head full of dreams about landing some big bass. As these lures come in neck and neck in the sentimentality factor, the fact that the Spook produced more of those big bass gives it the edge in this matchup.

 

Blue Glimmer (3) vs. Booyah Spinnerbait (2)
Matchup: This is a spinnerbait battle that began with a homemade lure crafted by my baseball coach and early bass fishing mentor, Gary “Bru” Bruington. That one was lost to the ages somehow, initially giving way to a Roland Martin Blue Fox model and then a batch of Mann’s Hank Parker spinnerbaits. Thirty five years after receiving that first spinnerbait, these two winners slug it out for the current spinnerbait title and a spot in the Elite Eight.
Results: The Booyah models are the spinnerbait stars when I hit the water these days as The Blue Glimmer has long been out of production. One of my last two Blue Glimmers bit the dust at Lake Storey a few years ago courtesy of a broken blade while fooling one last bass. I do have a final spare Blue Glimmer in the package so the bait indeed can live to cast another day. Which is just what it does in defeating the formidable Booyah Blades.

Emiquon Region

 

Swimbait (8) vs. Creatures (4)
Matchup: So some of these swimbaits are actually bigger than a lot of the bass this aging wannabe bass angler catches. Pretty cool looking but at a price that stops me in my tracks. After all, if I hang one of them in a brushpile I’m either going swimming or pulling out a hanky to dry my tears. Creature baits on the other hand, while not a dime a dozen, are certainly more in this frugal fisherman’s price range.
Results: Jaw dropping bass pics from giant swimbait action sure do get my attention. But, there’s a price in terms of both financial and time investment. I’m just not committed enough to that niche to spend my day looking for one or two big bites. Tried that one before as a muskie fisherman. Nope, I’ll take my chances on a big bass eventually showing up among the collection of small to mid-sized bass that eat my muskrats and craws. Victory to the creatures.

 

Rapala DT (3) vs. Red Eye Shad (2)
Matchup: We’re talking evolution and legacy in this matchup of differing crankbait styles. The Rapala DT Series comes from the legendary lure maker that first introduced the floating minnow, then divers such as the Shad Rap and Fat Rap along with a stab at a topwater bait in the Skitter Pop. The Red Eye Shad comes from a legacy of lipless cranks such as the Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap and Rapala’s lipless model known as the Rattlin’ Rap.
Results: Quite the matchup here as the Rapala DT series hauled in an amazing bunch of Emiquon Preserve bass including my personal best. The Red Eye shad was no slouch down there either but truth be told, those bass were duller than the trebles on some of my vintage crankbaits. In the end, it’s the Red Eye Shad with the win. Confidence and the added cold water effectiveness indeed make this a lure for all seasons.

 

 

Full videos scheduled at Troy Jackson Outdoors You Tube (click here)

More to come with the Little John and Snakeden Regions tomorrow night. And have no fear, the Friday Flashback will appear with a slight delay as the “essential employee” status trumps “dedicated blogger”. Guess what pays the bills? Talk to you later. Troy

Top 10 Trip Tunes 3/7 – Part II

Posted on by Troy Jackson

The Top 5 spans the 70s and provides a nice retrospective on the range of offerings that the decade had to offer. From ballad to singer/songwriter love song to rocker to disco/funk to new wave/post-punk. If you didn’t like the genre of the song on the radio in the 70s, well, just wait until the next one…

5. Boogie Nights – Heatwave (1977)
This funky groove was one of the trio of Heatwave hits that also included “Groove Line” and “Always and Forever.” All were written by the band’s English keyboardist, Rod Temperton, who claims my title of “I sure didn’t expect that” among songwriters (guess which guy in the lineup above). Just for fun, do a search for the guy who also wrote Michael Jackson’s “Off The Wall”, “Rock with You” and “Thriller.” And there was also George Benson’s “Give Me the Night”, “Stomp” by The Brothers Johnson, “Baby Come to Me” from Patti Austin/James Ingram and “Yah Mo Be There” from James Ingram/Michael McDonald. Awesome and unexpected.

4. Message in a Bottle – The Police (1979)
This trio was hitting their stride with the release of this cut as the first single from their second album. Strange to think that in four short years and three more albums, it would all be over, arguably right at their peak. The members would go on to individual successful endeavors as well as earning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction as a group. The lasting impact of a band that released five albums in just under a five year span not only amazes but also begs the rock and roll cliché’, “What if?”

3. Without You – Nilsson (1971)
Harry Nilsson took this tune penned by a pair of members of the group Badfinger to the top of the charts in early 1972. Numerous other artists have recorded versions of the cut over the years as it is just one of those tunes that some find bears repeating. Personally, I find the Nilsson recording by far the best and despite some fawning over Mariah Carey’s version, not a fan. Of her or the song, both are too much. Anyway, if there was such a thing as a make The Beatles jealous song, this is it (only make believe though as I realize there is no such thing).

2. Let It Ride – Bachman Turner Overdrive (1974)
Led by a somewhat different looking stout pair of Canadian co-vocalists, BTO flat out rocked. This cut is a prime example with bassist C.F. Turner belting out the lead vocals and the band cranking out a rhythm that just chugs along full speed ahead. It is one of those songs where the pace, tone and vocal perfectly reflect the tune’s title. Or, maybe it is the other way around. Whatever the case, I could listen to this one all day long.

1. I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song – Jim Croce (1974)
When it comes to the singer/songwriter niche, it’s tough to find anyone who did it any better than Jim Croce. Not only love with songs such as this classic but also as a humorous storyteller offering up characters like Leroy Brown and a “five foot six and two fifteen bleach blond mama with a streak of mean.” Impossible to say where Croce was at his best but this Top 10’s Top Tune is among his many candidates.

Tourney time tomorrow night as Lure Lunacy resumes with Sweet 16 matchups. Talk to you later. Troy

Top 10 Trip Tunes 3/7 – Part I

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Okay, let’s shifts gears from my blend of basketball and bass fishing to my blend of tunes and bass fishing.

Yes, folks, Trip Tunes returns for another year, albeit in belated fashion. Perhaps you recall my less than impressive performance during my first fishing trip of 2020 back on March 7. While it only produced one bass, it did result in the Top 10 Trip Tunes selection that comes your way over the next two days.

For anyone new to the series, I still roll with the radio about anywhere I go and that includes the drive to and from the fishing hole. When it is all said and done I pick the Top 10 cuts that graced the airwaves and pass along not only my countdown but also my two cents regarding each tune.

And it goes a little something like this…hit it!

10. Kung Fu Fighting – Carl Douglas (1975)
While I was familiar with Bruce Lee and used to watch Grasshopper snatch the pebble from his Master’s hand, I wasn’t really a Kung Fu kid. Regardless, this one-hit wonder that went all the way to the top of the charts was right on target for an eight-year old armed with a radio on the nightstand. Still gets folks going all of these years later and I will always remember a friend and co-worker from the 90s expertly hitting each “Huh!” and “Ha!” along the way. R.D., if you’re out there, quite a treat.

9. Cruel to be Kind – Nick Lowe (1979)
For music fans of my age range, MTV was a revolution. Not only was I introduced to a wider range of tastes but I also got to actually see the performers performing. So many more than The Midnight Special, American Bandstand, Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert, Night Flight, Saturday Night Live or Fridays could provide. Artists such as Nick Lowe were among the initial batch of video offerings that continue to entertain nearly 40 years later. MTV would eventually go down the tubes but I’m proud to say that I knew MTV when it used to rock n’ roll.

8. Hurting Each Other – The Carpenters (1972)
What do you get when you combine top notch songwriting, exquisite arrangements and one of the top female vocalists of all-time? Well, you get The Carpenters, who compiled three Billboard chart toppers (15 on the Adult Contemporary chart), five number two hits, several Grammy awards, 90 million records sold, television shows and a Hollywood star. For those who find it not cool to be a Carpenters fan, you are missing out. And while I’m at it, I also dig Barry Manilow, Air Supply and The Village People.

7. Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head (1969)
While we are talking top vocalists, I’d rank B.J. Thomas right up there on my list of male singers. “Raindrops” and “Hey, Won’t You Play…” are fixtures when revisiting the soundtrack of my childhood courtesy of a transistor radio or wood panel station wagon dial. Over the years there’ve been more than a few rainy days on the water where I’ve found this tune creeping into my mind. A welcome treat when I get into that wonderful zone of escape where “nothing’s worrying me.”

6. The Love You Save – Jackson 5 (1970)
I challenge you to pull any version of this tune up on the internet that features some live footage of these performers and not find yourself smiling. Better yet, not find yourself moving, or even pondering dancing. Heck, I’m smiling now just thinking about that little eleven year old performer getting down. Interesting lyrics too, as they reference Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Graham Bell and Christopher Columbus. When this tune hit the top of the charts in 1970, my household consisted of the Jackson 4. A few years later it would skip right past the Jackson 5 as we welcomed two at a time.

Been a while since I got distracted on one of these remotely fishing related tangents, kind of missed it. Lucky for me, I get to do it again tomorrow with the Top 5. Talk to you later. Troy

Lure Lunacy-Snakeden Region Round 2

Posted on by Troy Jackson

The Sweet 16 have been finalized with the results of our last region below.

Snakeden Region – Round Two

Senko Wacky Rig (1) vs. Pop R (8)
Honorary Captains: Bill Walton & Kermit Washington/Rudy Tomjanovich


Matchup: Silent versus loud, sinking versus floating, wobble versus twitch, all parts of the equation when figuring out what to throw to fool some bass. Every lure has its time to shine and spots to be employed.
Result: While the Pop R and surface baits in general can be addictive, the flat out bass fooling ability in a wider range of the calendar and the water column push the Senko to a runaway victory.

Rattlin’ Rap (5) vs. Rapala Minnow (4)
Honorary Captains: Bill Laimbeer & Quinn Buckner


Matchup: In this much anticipated battle of Rapala baits, does loud and brash win out over silent and steady? Well, that depends on a lot of variables and that is what the angler has to figure out. Experience is valuable, confidence is crucial and while practice may never amount to perfect in fishing, putting those lures to work is key.
Result: the second of three lipless crankbait contenders bows out of the tourney as we bid farewell to the Rapala Rattlin’ Rap. It served as my introduction to such lures but the old Rapala Floating Minnow goes back to my bass fishing origins and lives to fish another day.

Jitterbug (11) vs. Mann’s Baby 1- (3)
Honorary Captains: Connie Hawkins & Muggsy Bogues


Matchup: The flashy moves and attention getting action of the Jitterbug can appeal to bass and anglers alike. Well, the Mann’s Baby 1- sure has a distinctive bass catching wobble all of its own.
Result: The Mann’s Baby 1- put a crankbait in a zone that really had never been effectively exploited before by such a lure type. A revolutionary highlight in bass lure history, in my opinion. An aspect that pushes it past the Jitterbug into the Sweet 16.

Hula Popper (7) vs. Baby Brush Hog (2)
Honorary Captains: Tom Henderson & Nate “Tiny” Archibald


Matchup: A matchup of extremes always makes for an interesting decision. There’s often a tradeoff of some sort. More bites, bigger bites, exciting bites, rewarding bites, moderate focus, intense focus…In “Taking Care of Business”, Bachman-Tuner Overdrive observes, “If it were easy as fishin…” C’mon, dudes, you rock, but that’s kind of insulting.
Result: Conditions aside, this decision comes down to not only feeling more confidence in the Baby Brush Hog but also having more confidence in topwater presentations beyond the Hula Popper. So long to another classic bait, it was a good ride.

Well, that’s a wrap for the opening weekend. Took some work but I’ve had a good time. Lure Lunacy resumes this coming Thursday evening and perhaps some other items to come in the meantime. Talk to you later. Troy

Lure Lunacy-Little John Region Round 2

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Covering the water column top to bottom, the third of our four regions launches on the final day of the first weekend.

Little John Region – Round Two

Jig & Pig (1) vs. Dropshot (9)
Honorary Captains: Sidney Moncrief & Rick Barry


Matchup: A compact, cold water lure that shines around heavy cover takes on a slim profiled, less intrusive bait. The dropshot often does it work on more wide open broad structure areas as the business end suspends off of the bottom.
Result: Generally speaking, the jig & pig is going to get the attention of some larger fish and sets up better for most of the water I fish. I would be wise to give the dropshot more of a workout on some clearer strip mines but no winner this time around.

Whopper Plopper (5) vs. Shad Rap (4)
Honorary Captains: Billy “The Whopper” Paultz & Donald “Slick” Watts


Matchup: The Whopper Plopper represents a loud topwater presentation that provides the option of bait models that run to gaudy, muskie sized plugs. The Shad Rap on the other hand is a sleek, rather silent plug that stealthily gets the job done in cold water when other lures can’t steal a bite.
Result: If I’m going to root for a topwater noisemaker, I’m still fonder of a buzzer or walking bait than this entertainingly named prop bait. And while the Shad Rap is kind of a seasonal niche bait, it fills an important role in getting those tough cold water bites. Victory to the Shad Rap.

Ned Rig (11) vs. KVD Squarebill (3)
Honorary Captains: Ernie DiGregorio & Phil Jackson


Matchup: The Ned Rig doesn’t look like much and doesn’t do much in terms of action. But it does catch some tough to tempt bass. The Squarebill on the other hand wobbles, rattles and gets the attention of the bass as it bangs around their home.
Result: No matter if the Squarebill was endorsed by some random, rambling blogger as opposed to perhaps the best bass angler of all-time, it’s a winner. Today it is endorsed again by the blogger and moves on to the Sweet Sixteen.

Mann’s Augertail (10) vs. Booyah Buzzbait (2)
Honorary Captains: Manny Leaks/Calvin Murphy & Garfield Heard/Jerry West


Matchup: I just learned that Mann’s actually still makes the Augeratail model, had no idea. Probably would use my old ones first though to see if the sleek offering is still a bass attractor. Still a couple more months before the buzzbait hits the water but seems it is always worth the wait.

Result: Cinderella stories are great for a tourney but they eventually meet their match in most instances. Today is the day for the nostalgia of the Mann’s Augeratail to lose the magic to an explosive and addictive topwater beast.

One more second round bracket to go as we head for the Sweet Sixteen. Talk to you later. Troy

Lure Lunacy-Emiquon Region Round 2

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Emiquon Region – Round Two

The second of the Saturday regions draws to a close as detailed below.

Rat-L-Trap (1) vs. Swimbait (8)
Honorary Captains: Ed Ratleff & Bob Lanier


Matchup: Tried and true lipless crankbait takes on some of biggest baits in bass fishing.
Result: Too many lipless cranks, need to pick a favorite and this one isn’t it. The Swimbait pulls off the upset as I try to get the picture on the big bass potential of these lures.

Alabama Rig (12) vs. Creatures (4)
Honorary Captains: John Mengelt & Skeeter Swift/John Roche


Matchup: The multi-lure Alabama Rig (limited to only two hooks in Illinois) was billed as unfair by some when it burst onto the tackle market. Fending off this wild collection of baits is a lure type with varied body plans and versatile presentations.
Result: Oh, to have wielded an Alabama Rig back in the early bass feeding frenzy days of Emiquon. But those days are no more so the consistency of the creatures moves them on to the next round.

Wooly Curl Tail (6) vs. Rapala DT Series (3)
Honorary Captains: Neal Walk & Dave Twardzik


Matchup: Slow and steady for the curl tail, retrieved just fast enough to keep the bait off the bottom and the tail twisting. The broad bodied DT series keep you up to speed on depth with the estimated running depth etched right on the bill.
Result: Fast over slow takes this matchup as the curl tail puts up a solid effort but is not effective at the pace set by the Rapala DT.

Power Worm (10) vs. Red Eye Shad (2)
Honorary Captains: Moses Malone & Red Robbins


Matchup: Power is a bit deceiving in a plastic worm offering but it sounds good. And that’s what helps sell a product. Does have a powerful scent though. The Red Eye Shad, however, is typically all about power fishing, cast it, crank it and rip it.
Result: The Power Worm is easily outmatched as it just can’t go the distance like the Red Eye Shad which can produce all year long.

On more day and two more regions to complete the opening weekend. Hope you’ve got a couple more reads in you before I give the lunacy a break. Probably have some other stuff though. Talk to you later. Troy

Lure Lunacy-Storey Region Round 2

Posted on by Troy Jackson

New wrinkles up for Round Two with a new backdrop, expanded rosters and honorary basketball captains for the contenders in each matchup. The results of the Storey Region are in the books with the Emiquon Region winners to come later tonight.

Storey Region – Round Two

Zara Spook (1) vs. Sidewinder Worm (8)
Honorary Captains: Zelmo Beatty & Jamal (Keith) Wilkes


Matchup: Lures from the original 80s jump into bass fishing slug it out with contrasting styles.
Result: The explosiveness of the Spook and a late scoring run .edge out the slower, methodical pace of the Sidewinder.

Mepps (5) vs. Bomber Flat A (4)

Honorary Captains: John Havlicek & Louie Dampier


Matchup: A solid starting five and some inspired sixth man play highlight an experienced Mepps squad pitted against the cold and calculated “bombs away” approach of the Flat A.
Result: Inspired play up and down the Mepps roster are too much for a Flat A team that relies too heavily on star player, Baby Bass.

Rattlin’ Rogue (11) vs. Blue Glimmer (3)
Honorary Captains: Darryl Dawkins & Tarheel Greats


Matchup: Occasional strikes that typically require intense angler attention take on a bait with some potential rod rattling ability when worked tight to laydowns or dropped over limbs.
Result: Too many memorable catches for the Blue Glimmer lead to an easy victory over the Rogue which tests my patience on the rod handle.

Mann’s 20+ (10) vs. Booyah Spinnerbait (2)
Honorary Captains: “Downtown” Fred Brown & “Pistol” Pete Maravich


Matchup: An experienced team of deep threats takes on a younger batch of baits that has come of age in recent years.
Result: The Booyah remains focused and stays the course leading to the much anticipated matchup of legendary spinnerbaits. Folks, this is what Lure Lunacy is all about.

Time for these surviving contenders to relax and recuperate. But no rest for those in the remaining regions as the action continues tonight and through tomorrow. Talk to you later. Troy

Lure Lunacy-Snakeden Region Round 1

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Round One concludes with a region featuring more than a few “classic” baits. How will they fare against some mainstream opponents?

Read on…

Senko Wacky Rig (1) vs. Mystery Lure (16)
Matchup: Okay, so this one really isn’t fair but that’s how it goes. A strange bass catching rig competes with a lure I found in an old tacklebox somewhere that has yet to be identified. If anyone has a clue, pass it on.
Result: The mystery lure goes the way of all but one 16 seed in the history of the “real”, but missing, tournament of 64. The Senko moves on to do its wacky thing.

Pop R (8) vs. Skitter Pop (9)
Matchup: A matchup of poppers exemplifies the overlap in creations among lure manufacturers. The success of Rebel’s Pop R spawned a batch of imitations such as Rapala’s stab at a topwater bait.
Result: Flattery will get you nowhere in this case as there’s nothing like the original.

Rattlin’ Rap (5) vs. Underspin (12)
Matchup: Similar to the above matchup, Rapala also took a shot at a lipless crankbait with the Rattlin’ Rap as an imitation of the Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap. The opponent in this duel is also an imitation of sorts in taking a page from an ultralight bait known as The Roadrunner and markedly upsizing the concept.
Result: Personally, I have always preferred the Rattlin’ Rap over the Rat-L-Trap and for the life of me, I can’t get the hang of an Underspin. I know it’s a confidence thing but no go for the Underdog in this matchup.

Rapala Floating Minnow (4) vs. Devil’s Horse (13)
Matchup: While the Floating Minnow ripples the surface to work its magic, the Devil’s Horse relies on ripping the water. Subtle versus commotion, both can be effective. You just need to observe what the bass tell you.
Result: No way that one of the first bass baits that I ever learned about is going to bow out in the opening round. Shout out to Dad on this one as the Rapala remains a classic.

Yum Dinger (6) vs. Jitterbug (11)
Matchup: Yum’s wacky worm offering is a bit friendlier on the piggybank than its competitor the Senko which is always a consideration for a frugal fisherman. And the old Jitterbug (actually Jitterstick pictured here) can also be found these days at a knock off rate.
Result: I found fishing back in a time when a lure like the Jitterbug was a regular in your Dad’s or your grandpa’s tacklebox. Too many “can’t miss” and “cutting edge” baits these days gets me nostalgic for the classics, thumbs up for the Jitterbug.

Mann’s Baby 1- (3) vs. Flukes (14)
Matchup: While the Mann’s 20+ (a Storey Region winner) took cranking to unheard of depths, its smaller cousin took it to the other extreme. A big wobble just under the surface proved effective on bass who were already wise to many other shallow presentations. The Fluke also staked a claim to the barely below the surface zone with an erratic and effective action.
Result: Never was much of a Fluke guy and the Mann’s Baby 1- has been the fodder for a couple lasting “fish stories” so this one is a no doubter. In fact, the Mann’s Baby 1- was featured once upon time in a “Legendary Lures” series piece. Perhaps I should revisit that concept someday.

Hula Popper (7) vs. Pop N Frog (10)
Matchup: Another matchup of similar baits and darn close to the Pop R/Skitter Pop battle earlier in this region. Another classic from another generation’s tacklebox in the Hula Popper meets what is essentially a topwater frog with a big mouth.
Result: Nostalgia is on a roll in the Snakeden Region as the Hula Popper hangs on to down the noisy amphibian.

Baby Brush Hog (2) vs. Touchdown Worm (15)
Matchup: A bit of a slowdown game in this matchup with a relatively recent mutation of the plastic lizard in Zoom’s Baby Brush Hog. The Touchdown worm represents a variation on the old worm gang and could be viewed as a bit of a precursor to the Wacky Worm.
Result: Shout out to an old baseball teammate, friend and fisherman, “Clubber Joe” as I believe he introduced me to the Touchdown Worm once upon a strip mine wander. However, the Baby Brush Hog is just too good of a lure and outdoes its foe in this matchup.

Well, that’s a late night wrap on Round One which is fitting. The first weekend of the real tourney can certainly make for some long days. Been there done that. I must say that I feel a lot better than some of those 80s and 90s tourney weekends. And while I do miss the hoops with the cancellation this year, I am sure glad that I no longer partake in some of the extracurricular enjoyment of yesteryear. Talk to you later. Troy

Lure Lunacy-Little John Region Round 1

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Better late than never, right?

Okay, maybe don’t answer that one.

Anyway, the big, wild world made for a long day at work but I’m in this loony lure thing to win it. I may have to burn a little midnight oil but Round One will conclude tonight. Just in time to consider a look at Round Two.

Jig & Pig (1) vs. Vampire (16)
Matchup: Now, this one just sounds like a cool matchup. A legendary lunker producer with a throwback quality in a pork over plastic trailer. Then you have an obscure spinnerbait that unfortunately never caught on. Would’ve been cool to tell folks at the boat ramp that you were really onto a Vampire bite.
Result: No contest here, after all, the Vampire is certainly no University of Maryland Baltimore County Retriever.

Shadow Rap (8) vs. Dropshot (9)
Matchup: Sleek meets slim in a battle of subtlety. The suspending Shadow Rap and the dropshot rig are both designed to tantalizingly stare bass in the face and barely make a move.
Result: The dropshot edges out the Shadow Rap as while not a fast paced bait it generally outpaces the slowdown jerkbait game. Leaving a lure in place for more than about ten seconds is too much for me to take, I need a shot clock of sorts.

Whopper Plopper (5) vs. Moss Boss (12)
Matchup: The Whopper Plopper has sure caused a commotion over the last years and can definitely be a blast. Same for the Moss Boss although a substantially lower profile and not quite raising as much of a ruckus.
Result: Threes win this game, as in the pair of treble hooks sported by the Whopper Plopper. When a bass hits this one, it’s less likely to get away than striking the single hooked Moss Boss often through surface vegetation.

Shad Rap (4) vs. Smoo (13)
Matchup: One of the best cold water crankbaits in the Shad Rap takes on an interesting fat-lipped, bug-eyed caterpillar?
Result: I caught a bass on the Smoo. Once. Back in 1988. Caught one on the Shad Rap earlier this month and expect to continue to fool a few more. Victory to another classic Rapala design.

Topwater Frogs (6) vs. Ned Rig (11)
Matchup: Topwater explosions on the frog are exciting and frustrating at the same time. Cool blowups but low hooking percentages are the name of the game. Little Ned on the other hand gets his strikes out of sight and often barely noticeable, just kind of heavy.
Result: Ned comes through for his ability to elicit cold and tough bites. Frogs are fun but I can find plenty of other ways to fool my summertime bass.

KVD Squarebill (3) vs. Tornado (14)
Matchup: Squarebills are one of the latest trends in crankbaits, lauded for their ability to bounce off cover and avoid snagging of the treble hooks. This Strike King model is endorsed by perhaps the best tournament angler of all-time, Kevin VanDam. The Tornado, on the other hand, was created by a backyard Louisiana lure maker named Eugene “Shoestring” DuBois.
Result: I have to admit the pull of sentimentality for “Shoestring” who appeared with his Tornado in the old Bass Pro Shops catalogs. A great story but in the end, KVD and his Squarebill come out on top.

Bomber Long A (7) vs. Mann’s Augertail (10)
Matchup: For a couple years I really got into some strip mine bass by ripping a Long A in what I called a “frantic retrieve.” Alas, I couldn’t make it last. The Augertail didn’t last either but left a lasting legacy. I remember using it to catch my first ever Texas rigged worm bass on a pond owned by a fellow named Les Vicary.
Result: How can you argue with the nostalgia of learning how to fish the tried and true Texas rigged worm presentation? You can’t, and the Augertail advances.

Booyah Buzzbait (2) vs. Flies (15)
Matchup: Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum. A buzzbait is about as boisterous and obnoxious as one can get on the water, the polar opposite of the dignified, graceful presentation via fly rod.
Result: Flyfishing looks cool and I actually own a fly rod. I think it is in the rafters of Dad’s garage. Nope, I’m chunking a buzzbait until my arms get tired in search of a big bite.

Back rather soon with the Round One finale the Snakeden Region. Talk to you later tonight. Troy