The Jackall DD Squirrel 79SP

With Shimano taking over the distribution of Jackall in North America, more anglers will finally getting a first hand look at these jerk baits. The DD Squirrel is a top-quality deep diving jerk bait.  See for yourself.

DD SQUIRREL 79SP
Stats:

• length: 3.2" long (79mm)
• weight: 3/8oz (11.5g)
• deep dives to approximately 8 -10 feet
• 6 colour patterns
• weight transfer system 
• 2 ultra-sharp trebles
• made in Japan
• oval line tie 

The Squirrel with it cousin the Squadminnow 128.

more photos below

Jerk Bait Week: It's a Snap!

Jerk baits are amazing at producing flash and vibration. In order for them to be magical, you'll need to use a snap. Most jerk baits come with a split ring to allow movement but that is not enough. Many fear that in the heat of the battle, the snap will pry open. This might be true if you use some cheapy-cheap  version. Stick to a quality snap will ease your worries. We're not yanking out marlin, so there is no need to buy the thickest gauge of wire out there. Match the snap to the size of the bait. If you're casting a slender 3" bait then tie on a smaller snap and up-grade as the lure size increases.

One neat idea that many have yet to latch onto is Stringease's Fastach system. It is an easy on-off snap clip. Simply roll on the bait or reverse it to unlock it. Its quick, strong and ease, even when wearing gloves.

So, to ensure the best action from your jerk bait use a snap.

Jerk Bait Week

Tis the season to throw jerk baits. Nothing shakes off the winter blues better than a day on the water. To make sure you enjoy yourself, jerk baiting should be part of your day.  

Jackall's Sqaudminnow 128.
An excellent example of a jerk bait.

Jerk baits are long, slender minnow plugs. Usually between 3” to 6” in length, they mirror baitfish well. Cold water can limit a bass desire to feed. So, matching what bass are accustom to eating helps.  Jerk baits come in three distinct designs: floating, suspending and sinking.  Suspending and sinking model are identical to most floating models yet they’re weighted to counteract the lure’s floatation. By having the bait suspend or sink, the lure appears very injured or dying; nothing more appealing to a half frozen bass. It also casts like a bullet.

Anglers have to be in rhythm with the season. Cold water mean lethargic bass. Keep the retrieve smooth and slow. You’ll have to play into the instincts of bass but don’t go crazy. Cold-water temperatures prevent even the hungriest of predators to resist something zipping by.

Anglers need to focus on local conditions to determine what minnows the bass are hunting.  Shad tend to be the most dominant forage but not always. Regardless, jerk baits will match what bass eat. Figure out what the bass are feasting on and match the size, shape and colour. You’ll need all the advantage to score.

Quick tips for success.

• Find clear water
• Baitfish mean bass. Find them and bass will be shortly behind
• Scale down. Light line will help keep the bait deep
• Deep diving baits are your friends, so use them
• Keep an eye on warming trending

New Trigger X for 2013

TRIGGER X^® AGGRESSION

The Go-To, Trusted Choice in Soft Baits

Press Release
Trigger X^® Aggression has taken the country by storm with its robust lineup of baits, color patterns and endless applications, making Trigger X the new standard of soft bait.

            “Last year, Trigger X Aggression introduced new models and colors that were like nothing anglers have ever seen,” said Davy Hite, BassMaster Classic Champion and Trigger X pro angler. “Trigger X has outdone itself this year and raised the bar by creating out-of-this-world baits that will not only be proven winners among anglers, but tournament pros alike.”

            Designed for beyond-realistic performance, Trigger X soft baits are immersed in Ultrabite^® Pheromones, with each bait featuring a ribbed surface area that creates a softer, lifelike feel while increasing lure surface area, which allows the pheromones to disperse farther in the water than other soft baits.

photos & details 

Diawa's New Bait Finesse T3 Air Bait Casting Reel

This is the brand new T3 Air. Bait Finesse is a revolution sweeping Japan. Its pushing for super finesse casting gear. Reels are becoming so super light weight that they're able to cast line a thin as 6lb test. Drags and spools are ultra smooth and slick. Although this reel will not appear in North America any time soon, the Bait Finesse revolution will affect the gear we use for the next several years.

More Photos and Stats below

Hummingbird's New 360 Imaging Sonar

Finally get a look at Hummingbird's 360 sonar. It offers the most advanced 360 view of the water you're fishing. Jason Gramada will explain the key features of this revolutionary unit. For the first time, you'll be able to see what is in front of the boat and below it.

Minn Kota's Talon and Lonnie King at the Toronto Boat Show

Noted outdoor writer and multi-species angler Lonnie King explains the benefits of using Minn Kota's Talon. The Talon is a shallow water anchor that is so useful. Lonnie will explain why this product needs to be on your boat.

The New Ranger Z520C 45th Anniversary Edition Bass Boat with Ranger President Randy Hopper

Learn from the man himself, the President of Ranger Boats, Mr. Randy Hopper as he explains the 45th Anniversary Edition Z 520 C. This carbon boat is totally new. From the more streamlined consoles to divided livewells, this boat needs to be seen to believed.

Bassmaster Classic bound Robinson and Christie join Team Lew's

Lew's announces the addition of seasoned Bassmaster Elite Series fisherman Marty Robinson and two-time 2012 Opens' winner Jason Christie to the Team Lew's pro staff. Both anglers will be fishing Lew's reels in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic next month on Oklahoma's Grand Lake O' the Cherokees.

Robinson, from Lyman, S.C., has been competing along the Elite

Series tournament trail since 2007. He has five top 10 finishes to his credit, including a third place check from the 2012 B.A.S.S. Elite event held in June on Toledo Bend Reservoir. The 2013 Bassmaster Classic will be the second such appearance for Robinson; his first was last year's on the Red River out of the Shreveport-Bossier City, La., area.  

  

Christie, an Oklahoma angler who resides at Park Hill near Lake Tenkiller, has mostly fished FLW tournaments over the past dozen years. He's earned nearly $650,000 on that trail, including the top prize money from five BFLs on Grand Lake. He's also added another $105,000 in earnings from B.A.S.S. events, with most of that coming from his two Bassmaster Open wins last year. One of those, his July win on the Detroit River in Michigan while fishing in the Northern Open series, is what qualified him for the upcoming Bassmaster Classic. He also won the Central Open tournament on Oklahoma's Fort Gibson Lake in September. 

 Both anglers are known for their versatile fishing skills and are therefore expected to do well in fishing the cold waters of Grand

during the February timeframe. Among all Classic contenders, 

Christie likely has more experience on this particular lake than

any of the others anglers, adding even more pressure for him to do well in this event that many consider to be bass fishing's Super Bowl.