Feature Story
Understanding Lure Systems for Better Fishing
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s a traveling bass tournament fisherman, I normally try to establish the most productive patterns to find and catch quality fish and not rely on "spots or holes," meaning places where I have caught fish in the past. In doing that I utilize seasonal fish movements, assess weather conditions, factor in water clarity and temperature, study the bottom contours of the lake, think about the currents of a man-made or natural lake, and determine the size and type of primary forage for that time of the year.
It can get extremely complicated and scientific, so to simplify, for our part of the country, I generally try to concentrate on crawfish, shad, and bluegill imitation lures. Over the years and with the help of other serious fishermen, we have developed fishing systems; choosing the best rod action, reel and line combinations that best present the chosen lures and handle a hooked fish. It's kind of like picking the right golf club for the shot or the right shotgun and shell load for the hunt. We have worked to develop lure systems as well. Systems that will let us adapt to the water and weather conditions, different depths, type of rock, angle of the bank, or the fish's changing mood. In 2018 Jewel Bait Company introduced to the public a new lure system designed to imitate shad and bluegill called the Gem Series. Gayle Julian owner of Jewel Bait built the Gem Series around the popular Japanese Keitech Swing Impact Fat the soft-bodied swim bait that comes in 8 sizes and 52 colors. Currently, there are no other lures on the market that match the Gem Series. They feature a unique Grip-Tech keeper system, Resin-Tech over-molded injection process, and a lifelike profile that swims, tracks flat and runs true at any speed. The system starts with the Gem Shad. The first time I threw the Gem Shad, I was amazed at the side-toside rolling action the head produced and that the thumping tail accentuated. This lure is best fished over the top of shallow grass in the spring and dragged along the bottom underneath schools of shad in the fall.
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