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
16 vampire could be the big upset. Coastal Carolina over Duke.
13 Smoo just because I like the name.
11 Ned Rig with a name as simple as Ned gets my vote.
14 Tornado by Shostring DuBois. I like better than KVD. Maybe into names this bracket more than others. Sounds like Mom is picking.
10 Mann’s Auger Tail in memory of my old friend Les Vicary.
2 Booyah Buzzbait I have seen Troy catch to many on this lure yo not vote for this one.
Indeed, some good names and name dropping in this region. Marketing sells the baits, on the water experience makes or breaks ’em. Good memories though even on the ones that were a bust. Funny, in our current situation it is tough to figure out what day it is but I can recall lures, catches, people and old fishing holes like it was yesterday.