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