The word “stickbait”, which you will not discover in the dictionary, was quite obscure to many anglers not long ago, more so in the U.S. Stick baits, on the other hand, have been around for a long time. However, in recent years, there has been increasing recognition of and call for stick baits.
What is about a stickbait that makes it one?
The answer is determined in part by what someone is looking for. Stick baits have long been popular amid anglers fishing in the Australasian Pacific. It’s become popular among bass anglers to call a worm-caster. It is also used to relate straight worms, basically, little cigars of pulpy plastic, which are being utilized by freshwater bass fishermen more frequently.
In the least, stick baits are wood lures or hard plastic in heavy saltwater usage. To acquire a deeper knowledge of the lures, I interviewed several lure-producers and skippers with stick bait prowess and requested them explain the phrase.
Most folks appeared to be on the same wavelength. Finally, I added on a few of my modifications to produce this as perhaps the first produced clarity of stick bait:
A plastic lure with a taper and streamlined shape that submerges or hangs is spread a long stretch by a fisher who may give different movement and speeds during the recoup.
Note the following “tapered, streamlined” characteristics: Stickbaits lack a bill that may be used to generate action. A minnow lure, on the other hand, would be considered a jerk bait.
While many people think of floating lures as stick baits, I’ve gone with the term “surface plugs,” which are generally walk-the-dog types.
Although some experts claim that the previously mentioned lures do not have built-in measures, many makers nowadays create stick baits with side-to-side shimmy when recouped at a constant speed.
Stickbaits work best when cast, retrieved and pitched similarly.
Depending on the lure design, this is particularly important for straight stick baits like the Nomad Design creation by Damon Olsen.
Stickbaiters, on the other hand, make considerable use of steady retrieves and long rod sweeps with lengthy pauses or quick, forceful jerks with brief stops according to the situation, species, and overall angler preference.
Strikes on retrieves may be excruciating. Stickbaits have been made by hand for many years, although they are becoming increasingly desired.
These fishing lures were often beautiful in appearance and craftsmanship, with painters creating not just normal lures but one-of-a-kind art that fetched high prices.
Mass-produced stick baits in a range of prices will suit many tackle boxes. These are also known for their striking, frequently eye-catching finishes/ending, as if to make up for their typically unadorned appearance.
Stickbaits are probably the most misused lure among rough game fish, making them a good choice for use through the wire.
Stickbaits are weighty for their shape and size since stickbaiters prefer long throws.
They’re also, as Merv Rubiano of Strategic Angler Custom Lures notes, most often packed forward or aft, further increasing the cast.
They’re also among the easiest bats to throw in a blow. Even against a strong wind, they’re easily launched. Stickbaits with long casts have the upper hand over baitfish because each retrieval covers a large amount of water.
“When a well-presented stick bait is used with expertise by the fisher, it can elicit a deep, primordial response from a predator,” Jason Ward of Siren Lures says.
Stickbaits are still very fashionable among tuna anglers who engage in the run-and-gun games, pursuing fish after baitfish on top.
Some of the more difficult targets that boats may encounter are schools.
These provide thrilling but often frightening objectives for boats to attempt to reach.
A high-quality stick bait can be spread a long distance, then offered a fast-fleeing performance that lures predators to the scene of the fight.
In the Northeast, large, straight stick baits are increasingly popular for bluefin as are tuna lovers Down below in southeastern Australia, running after titanic southern bluefin.
After yellowtail, stickbaits have also caught on with Southern California piscators. Olsen says his Californian guides have reported ecstatic experiences.
In Australia, for example, “Stick baits are popular with kingfish lovers,” according to Chris Beldon of Rapala.
Stickbaits can elicit powerful bites, nearshore rocky headlands, and coral reefs. Stick baiting is an excellent method for anglers to use large poppers in these areas.
They are a popular lure in Central American fishers’ arsenals, who fish the coast for big Pacific cubera.
“The greatest lures I’m aware of for catching huge cubes off Panama are the heavy stickbaits,” says renowned lure designer Patrick Sebile. Yes, stickbaits are vital for huge trevally throughout the Indo-Pacific.
In many situations, a stick bait off the coast can provide an amazing sight-fishing experience is not so deep, clear seas.
A big black shape appearing in the distance approaches to chase down a stick bait that has swum back to the boat several feet underwater.
Consider flipping up your line, so the rod is in a vertical position. When retrieved, many straight-sided stick baits wobble from side to side; therefore, cranking back a lure as soon as possible and turning the handle is often the answer.
On the other side of the spectrum, some experts advocate a more leisurely retrieve, utilizing long rod sweeps and lengthy pauses.
Sami Ghandour of Saltwater Tackle says, “The vast majority of fish despise a fast retrieve.”
He prefers longer pauses to allow sinking stick baits to sink further.
Stick baits are one of the more popular and well-known types of fishing lures, ranging from 12 inches to over 12 inches in length. Fishermen often choose the biggest lures they can throw when pursuing snappers like cubera snapper or bluefin monster.
Additionally, Chris Henry and Shimano Australia explain that even though larger GT stick bait attracts trevally best, they are also more prone to break.
However, many professionals, including Rubiano, prefer small stickbaits when attempting to match a hatch.
Some people will even try to deviate from the norm: Lures deviating from typical baitfish size, according to designer Mads Grosell, might be focused on and chased down by target fish.
For lure manufacturer Ben Patrick, a 6-inch stick bait works well for most game fish.
“Stick baits are extremely adaptable,” adds Henry. “The more ways you can employ them, the more ideas you’ll have for using them.”
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