By: Captain John Curry
www.capefishing.net
1-508-209-7741

YO-ZURI Sashimi Pencil SW

zuri

The YO-ZURI Sashimi Pencil SW by YO-ZURI AMERICA is one versatile lure. My shipment came with the 4’ floating version in the chameleon gold copper finish (CMGC). This surface bait’s idea is to change colors as the plug is worked through the water. This mimics a natural color change that baitfish give off as they are pursued by predatory game fish. The CMGC looks like a burnt rust color from the back and dark green color from the front. I used this bait just a few days ago while chasing Spanish Mackerel on the Gulf of Mexico near Boca Grande and the bait casts very far for only being 5/8 ounce in weight. Its design cuts the wind and long casts with light line are easy. Also, I tossed the lure near mangroves and caught a few slot sized Speckled Trout. Fish the lure like you would any top water “walk the dog” type of lure and I look forward to casting this to stripers and blues in the spring up north. The bait also comes with a circle hook option and ranges in 10 colors with the chameleon ghost shad (CGSH) matching just about any baitfish.

Reaction Strike Fathead 5” Swim Bait

reaction

The Apex Fathead 5” swim bait by Reaction Strike is one beefy swim bait. Like the name implies it’s very wide and has great action when retrieved like you would any swim bait. The bait has a weed guard on the top hook that will come in handy for weedy situations, but the bottom trebles proved to be effective at snagging weeds pretty easily so I removed it and the bait had swam with the same vibrating action. The Chartreuse Shiner color is nice, but will be ordering the Holo Shad as this will be a perfect color for big stripers and tarpon. It also comes in 8” & 11” versions for when the fish are feeding ion big menhaden.

Bass Kandi Coastal Crippler

brandi

The 3.75” Coastal Crippler by Bass Kandi Baits is versatile soft plastic bait. Fish these on any sized jig head for a variety of inshore species. I used the LSU color (the package said Strawberry/White, but the shipment was the LSU color of purple/ chartreuse) on a ¼ ounce green jig head and the Red Fish tore them up. They are durable with a slim profile and cast great. Work them around any cover like bridge pilings and docks for mangrove snapper and of course the schoolie stripers will engulf them. The paddle tail gives off more vibration than similar soft plastics. Make sure you feed them on the hook perfectly straight as their slim profile will make them swim on the side if not centered well.