The New Wiggle Wog From Snag Proof

One of the best ways to invent something new is to somehow combine two things that already exist. That is what Snag Proof has done with the Wiggle Wog. It is part frog and part swimbait. It has a 4/0 double hook, an internal glass rattle for attracting attention, and a paddle tail to produce great action. The movement of the paddle tail causes the entire lure to wiggle as it moves through the water. The Wiggle Wog is great in open water, and of course is weedless so also works well in tall grass and weeds.

The body and the tail are made of a durable plastic that will last. Anyone who fishes with top water lures in the Spring and Fall should have a Wiggle Wog in your arsenal. To learn more and purchase click here.

My Pick For The World's Best Fishing Lure

I have written several articles over the last year about the Steelshad. I first learned about this outstanding lure from a review in Bassmaster Magazine early in 2007. I purchased several and in the dead of winter in Iowa, so I had to wait several months before I could give them a try. When I finally got a chance to fish with the Steelshad, I was very excited about the results. Then in June, I fished for a day with Blake Gills, the creator of the Steelshad who helped me understand all of the ways you can retrieve the lure. While fishing at Lake Rathbun in southern Iowa, we caught six species of fish on the Steelshad.

So far this year I have only been out a few times, but in addition to dozens of small bass (and a few bluegills), I landed a 5 lb.+ bass and my wife just caught a 6 1/2 lb. bass last Saturday (pictured above). I tried to talk her in to fishing with a plastic worm, but she insisted on a Steelshad since I have talked it up so much. On her second cast she reeled in this fish.

I am proud to say that Crazy Fisherman now sells the Steelshad. They come in five colors, are very reasonably priced at only $5.00, and are not yet available in tackle stores.

Crazy Fisherman's top rated, most versatile fishing lure. Click for details.

New Soft Plastic Lure Stanley Ribbit Frog

Stanley Lures continues to develop some of the best jigs and soft plastic baits on the market today. Founder Lonnie Stanley, a five-time Bassmaster Classic veteran, has used plastic frogs successfully for years. While fishing in tough conditions like murky water, overcast skies, or heavy cover, he would dip the frogs to add more color. Now Stanley has created the Hot Feet Ribbit with color contrast built in. The bright color contrast improves the visibility and draws more strikes under certain conditions. It is weedless and can be thrown in tall grass or thick cover where the biggest bass hang out. The feet create a realistic kicking action that looks and sounds like a real frog. Click here to learn more about or purchase the Hot Feet Ribbit.

Combined with a Stanley Wedge V Lock Hook you've got a killer plastic bait. The V Lock Hook was originally designed for the frog, but will work with almost any plastic bait. Click here to learn more about the Stanley Wedge V Lock Hook.

KickTail Fishing Lure

New designs are being developed constantly for fishing lures. The KickTail has been out for a couple of years now, so it has now been tested extensively by fishermen who have given it extremely high marks, including being field tested by the North American Fishing Club. The KickTail fishing lure mimics the swimming motion of real fish which draws attention and bites. There are similar baits, but no other bait has as many small joints which gives it the natural looking flexibility and motion. The five tail segments click together as the lure moves through the water which draws a lot of attention.

The other thing I like about the KickTail, is that it comes in a diving version and a top water version. There are a wide variety of colors available, and the lure is shaped like a threadfin shad which is the baitfish of choice for most game fish. Learn more about the KickTail by clicking on the banner below.

Steelshad The Most Versatile Fishing Lure

Since being introduced to the Steelshad last spring, I have become a believer. The Steelshad is without a doubt my favorite lure and the most versatile lure I have ever fished with. I even had the privilege to spend a day fishing with its inventor, Blake Gills, last summer. He demonstrated various methods of bending the lure to make it swim along the bank, or swim more on its side like a wounded baitfish. I have caught as many as six different species of fish on it in one day. It is effective in not only freshwater, but also saltwater. I also like the fact that this one lure can fish both shallow and deep. If I could have only one lure in my tackle box, it would be the Steelshad.

It is well worth the investment to give it a try. Buy several different colors to experiment with. I have had great results and I'm sure you will too. Check it out at www.steelshad.com.

Catfish rarely bite on lures, but you can see below a catfish my wife caught on the Steelshad.

D.O.A. Fishing Lures For Hard Core Fishermen

You may not have heard of DOA (Deadly on Anything) Fishing Lures, but the Stuart, Florida company has been around since 1989 when Mark Nichols started the company to sell imitation plastic shrimp that he had developed. Now he has developed an outstanding selection of plastic baits for both salt- and freshwater fishing. All of their soft plastic lures are impregnated with farm grown shrimp to resemble real shrimp, crabs, and a variety of bait fish. They also offer lure kits (both saltwater and freshwater) that contain a variety of baits for just about every occasion. This is a very cost effective solution for a serious fisherman.
DOA released their new BFL (Big Fish Lure) last year. Nichols spent a decade perfecting the BFL which is 8 inches in length and designed for the lunker. If you are not familiar with DOA Fishing Lures, you can check out their website at www.doalures.com.

Looking For Ice Fishing Lures And Jigs

There is a company called Custom Jigs and Spins, located in Coralville, Iowa, that you need to check out if you are an ice fisherman. Often the very large companies get all of the press, but there are many small companies that deserve a lot of credit too.

Custom Jigs and Spins has one of the best color selections and largest design variety I have ever seen. Generally, ice fishing jigs receive a very small presence in a typical tackle shop or online store. This is their specialty, and it has been, for the last 30 years so that's not the case with them.


What I appreciate the most is that they use their own products extensively which is the only way you really know how good they are. They also receive input from their ice fishing Pro-Staff on design and performance. New products are continually developed, tested, and introduced. Quality materials are used including Mustad hooks. All lures are hand painted with a very hard finish and paint free eyes are used. Custom Jigs and Spins proudly displays that their products are made in the USA. Check them out at www.customjigsandspins.com. Show your support for small companies like them.

Instructional Fishing Videos From Rapala

There are times when a picture is worth a thousand words. And an explanation from an expert is even better. On Rapala's website you can find How 2 TV which is a series of videos on how to use their lures. Even though the videos are only on their products you can still learn from them even if you use similar products from another manufacturer. The underwater photography is excellent and the instruction from the pros is something that continually helps me. You should check it out.

If you would like to browse Rapala lures check out tackle on Crazy Fisherman's website.

Electronic Fishing Lure "Bite Lite" Produces Great Results

Serious fishermen are always looking for something that can give them the edge. Modern technology has created another innovative fishing product. This is a new product that every serious fisherman should have in his tackle box. The Bite Lite is a new patented lure that uses a high-tech chip to create the appearance of bleeding prey which triggers an inherent strike response in fish.

There is a flashing blood red light inside each lure that starts blinking on contact with water. On every retrieve the Bite Lite emits a slightly different light pattern that flashes to the rhythm of the lure's motion. A small steel ball inside the lure keeps its head erect so it swims like a real fish and causes a clicking sound which attracts fish. It is good for about 1,000 hours of fishing, no battery is required. This is truly a great new product.

There are four designs - a floater, a diver, a deep diver, and a sinker. A kit of four lures costs $39.95. Click on the link or image below for more information and to purchase.

Bite Light 4 Lure - 4 different Models

My "Go To" Plastic Bait

I think everyone has their favorite "go to" bait. Something in your tackle box that you pull out when nothing else is working. Well I have two. One is the Steelshad and the other is the Kelly's Pier Boy plastic worm. I'm going to focus on the plastic worm in this article.

I was first introduced to this product by the owner of a bait shop in Columbus, Ohio in 1992. The Kelly's Pier Boy has been my favorite plastic worm since. They are pre-rigged and scented. The worm I typically use is the one pictured which has three hooks, including one in the tail. I would say that 75% of the hundreds of fish I have caught with this worm have been caught on the hook in the tail. They are not readily available at tackle shops across the country, but are available at shops throughout the Midwest and at many online retailers. They come in a variety of colors and are available with weedless hooks. The secret sauce in this bait is the placement of the hooks and the built in scent.

Kelly's Pier Boy was started as a hobby by Glenn B. Kelly in the 1950's for personal use. The product became so popular with Glenn's friends and by word of mouth that he began making them full-time a few years later. He passed away in 1979; however his son and daughter-in-law continue to run the business today. Try them out and you won't be disappointed. Go to their web site at www.kellysbassworms.com for more information.

Basstrix Becoming Popular Lunker Lure

Little known Basstrix lure has become one of the most popular baits with bass tournament fishermen. The Basstrix Paddle Tail Tube, designed by owner Bruce Porter, has flat sides with a rounded back and belly. It also has realistic eyes and a holographic finish. The lure is available in 13 airbrushed colors and five sizes, from 2 1/2 to 6 inches. The 6 inch lure is the most popular targeting lunker bass. The Basstrix Paddle Tail Tubes are not readily available because of the intensive manufacturing process. Unfortunately, the demand is often greater than the production capacity.

Used with a weighted hook and rigged Texas style, the lure is weedless. With a heavier weighted hook, you can catch fish suspended at 20 feet or deeper. The skin and realistic eyes are the secret sauce in the design. The action is like nothing else out there.

Click here for a complete product review. To purchase try www.tacklewarehouse.com.

Attention Hawkeye Fans - New Hawkeye Spinner™

Any Hawkeye fan who enjoys fishing needs one of these spinners baits to show your fellow fans. With the Hawkeye logo on the blade, the University of Iowa Hawkeye Spinner™ is handmade by Joe Laslo (with approval and licensing from the University of Iowa of course) with the finest materials. Show your school spirit and support with the Hawkeye Spinner™. It makes a great gift for Hawkeyes who are crazy about fishing."

For more information go to Hawkeye Spinner from the Crazy Fisherman Company.

The Slickfish Weedless Fishing Lure

If you ever fish in heavy cover, you need to check out the Slickfish weedless lure. Bass hide in weeds and look for their prey in weeds. Because of the weedless design you can fish areas that your typical lure or soft plastic can never penetrate. You can slip easily over, around, or through heavy moss, thick hydrilla, massive lily-pad beds and dense timber. Never fear unfamiliar lakes, rivers, or reservoirs again. As an added bonus, Slickfish's hard plastic body, coated Matsua hooks, and internal stainless steel mechanism create a nearly indestructible lure that should last a lifetime.

You may also customize a lure as you order if you want something different than the standard. A prokit is also available which contains three lures and six tails that can be mixed and matched to fit every fishing condition.

At first glance the price seems a little high, but when you consider the fact that you should never lose this lure, it seems like a bargain. Go to www.slickfishlures.com for more information.

Coffee Flavored Tubes From Strike King

Strike King just announced that it will introduce coffee and salt impregnated tubes. The coffee tube is one of their new products for 2008 to be available in November of this year. They will be scented with real coffee bean granules and coffee bean oil; and will be available in both 3.5" and 4.5" tubes. The attraction that fish have for coffee flavoring was discovered by accident after watching bluegill react to a few coffee grounds poured out of a coffee cup into a lake. Field testing confirmed the theory that fish are attracted to coffee as much as we are.

Look for Strike King's Coffee Tubes around Thanksgiving of this year.

What Is The Best Color For A Soft Plastic Fishing Lures

I am often asked the question from fellow fisherman, "What is the best color to use for soft plastic baits like plastic worms, there are so many to chose from?" Well the answer is "it depends." I don't really consider myself an expert, but I have learned from the experts over the years. Here is the strategy I use.

I don't think you need one of every color available in your tackle box (even though the manufactures might like that). I think 5 or 6 colors will meet your needs. The most popular color and most versatile is green pumpkin. It seems to work well in both clear and stained water. If you are not sure what color you should use, this is a good place to start. Beyond that the basic rule is, in clear water use a translucent bait like watermelon or smoke. In lightly stained water use something darker like brown pumpkin. In darker water use a darker colored bait like black or junebug.

There is no magic to the selection process, but start with these color selection guidelines for your soft plastic baits. If this do not work, it is time to try a different presentation or a totally different type of bait. Good luck!

Looking for a great selection of fishing t-shirts, try Crazy Fisherman.

Build Your Own Fishing Lure

Have you ever wanted to build your own fishing lure to your exact specifications? Maybe you just couldn't find what you were looking for or you just wanted to try your hand at something new. Stamina™ Quality Components is the place to go to find what you are looking for. Ever type of crankbait body, blade, lead, hook, jig, lure eye, or lure paint is available plus a lot more. If you want to build your own lure go to Stamina™ Quality Components.

Get Bent Lures - Two Entrepreneurs Pursuing Their Passion

Meet Jim Bernard and Peter Ensio. They are entrepreneurs and craftsmen just pursuing their passion. It is guys (and gals) like this that continue to innovate the sport fishing industry, especially when it comes to new and more productive fishing lures. Let me share their story.

Jim and Peter have been making hand-crafted lures and testing them since 1992. They are two Americans who grew up in the Bahamas. The ocean, fishing, and boating have been a passion of theirs since a young age. Growing up in the Bahamas gave them a playground to pursue their passions and test all of their creations. They originally created lures for their own use and found that they had better results than fishing with store bought lures. Others then started asking if they could purchase the lures they had made. Their standard answer was we don't sell them, and they would get the reply, "why not?"

So, eventually they started making extra lures so they could sell the ones they weren't using if people asked. The demand continued to grow, so they set up a production facility last March ("07) using the techniques and knowledge they had developed over the years. They launched a website about the same time and "Get Ben Lures" was formally brought to market. They continue to develop new styles and shapes including high speed Wahoo lures, Teasers, and Marlin specific lures. Their knowledge from years of observing fish has allowed them to learn what actions, lure styles, and color patterns trigger specific species. The countless hours spent observing different game fish species, their feeding patterns, and their feeding triggers has given them the knowledge needed to come up with the best and most effective design. Now that is "fishing entrepreneurship".

For more information and to purchase go to www.getbentlures.com.

SteelShad Lure Designer Blake Gills Comes to Iowa

I had was honored of spending the day fishing with Blake Gills, the designer of the SteelShad lure, last Friday. He took a few days off to travel and fish some new lakes and try his SteelShad on different species, so we spent the day at Lake Rathbun in southern Iowa. Pictured is a largemouth bass he caught on one of his custom top water lures which he also tried out.

Blake showed me how to swim the SteelShad to the right or left to closely follow the bank and resemble a wounded shad by bending the lure slightly. All in all we caught lots of fish including five different species of fish on the SteelShad. I even landed a catfish on it, which I've never caught on a lure before. The walleye really went after it also. Learn more about the SteelShad at www.steelshad.com. It was a great day.

SteelShad - An Innovative New Fishing Lure

I had the opportunity to try out my new SteelShad lure this past weekend. I purchased a package of 5 lures last winter but hadn't tried them yet. Well, I have to say it lived up to its claims. I landed my first fish, a 1.5 pound white bass, on the third or fourth cast. And prceeded to catch several more. As a matter of fact it is the only lure I caught anything on that day. I don't sell them but you can learn more and purchase a SteelShad at www.steelshad.com. The lure is very versatile. It can run deep or shallow depending the speed of the retrieve and can be made to swim like a wounded shad. It also has a nice vibration to it. I would say every angler should have a set in their tackle box.

New Series of Baits by Strike Pro

There are times when fishing is slow and a more natural lure presentation is required. Anglers now have a couple of new choices. Strike Pro's Flex Phantom (crankbait) and the Flex X (minnow bait) feature a patented joint system that creates a natural swimming motion. The lures also include a fish attracting flasher and a skin coating that add to the bait's appeal. Veiw Strike Pro's website www.strikeproamerica.com for more information.