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| Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [30 messages per page] Muskie Fishing -> Lures,Tackle, and Equipment -> Lure Review: Bondy Bait Royal Orba |
RandalB |
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| Hey all, It's rare that a new lure comes along that I get to use before it becomes an old classic. That being said, here's a few notes, tactics and techniques on a lure that was new for 2015 that I've had some success with. Disclaimer: I'm not a professional Musky guide or someone who sells tackle for a living. I'm like a lot of guys, I fish on weekends and whenever I get the opportunity to jump on the boat and get out there. I'm not telling anyone to run out and buy this particular lure and I don't get anything from anyone for posting this; I just want to share my experiences with the forum. All that being said, I bought the Royal Orba after seeing some posts about it here on Muskie First. Got it early in the year and after a cast or two in May, I let it sit in the tackle box. I liked the action of the tail and the two blades in the back. I only ordered a white one and a Black/Orange tail one. My rationale for letting it sit? I've never had much luck with black and orange or white on my home lakes and I felt it wasn't lifelike enough to catch fish in ultra clear water. Let's say a couple of things about Jon Bondy's baits real quick. I'm sure he'd be the first to say that he doesn't sell many baits to the guys who are attracted to the "Work of Art" school of Muskie Baits. Look at the original Bondy bait, it's frankly, ugly. Same deal with the Royal Orba, it doesn't look like much, a rubber tube with a couple of blades and a tail that looks like an afterthought. This was my rationale for leaving it sit. Thing is, Jon Bondy sells lots of lures for a reason. Not because they are pretty, because they work. I am happy to eat crow on this one, I just wish I had my values readjusted a couple of months ago. I'm sure I've missed fish because of my rationale. Like my DD review, my thoughts were changed after a frustrating fish encounter. A 40's class fish had been giving me the business on a break. I knew it was active and aggressive, it kept striking at lures and charging in on the 8. It kept missing though, and wouldn't go back after the same lure twice. I came back along the break 4 or 5 times refusing to give up. Finally, I looked at the Orba, and like before, I knew this fish hadn't seen that one yet so I started throwing it. I used the recommended medium/fast straight retrieve and I added a couple of fast cranks during the retrieve. As I came up on the fish's waypoint, Had the hardest strike on the Orba I've ever had on anything. Fish straight up Freight train smashed it. I don't know if it was the bait or the fish, but it also gave me the best fight I've ever had, taking several minutes for me to get it in the bag. I was surprised to measure it out at 41". The fish thought it was much bigger and part tarpon. Tips, Tricks and Tactics: I use the Orba as an alternative for a bucktail, it also seems to run a little deeper and can be fished a little slower than a conventional bucktail. It's a pretty much foolproof lure for less experienced Anglers, Pretty much throw and crank back. Fish will follow this lure like a bucktail, it does good 8's like a bucktail. They tend to grab it harder and hold on probably due to the rubber body though. Overall: A well built solid lure - Even after several fish on it, it has tooth slashes but is still perfectly usable. The tail is still in great shape, no loss of the blades or damage to the hooks. Use this in an area where fish are used to bucktails or out in deep water. I Don't have any out of the water pics of fish caught on this one, but I have a net shot of that 41" HTH, RandalB Attachments ----------------  IMG_2739.JPG (137KB - 414 downloads) IMG_2741.JPG (131KB - 423 downloads) | |||
| 14ledo81 |
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| 14ledo81 |
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Posts: 4269 Location: Ashland WI | |||
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| IAJustin |
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| RandalB |
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| Bondy |
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| Here is one that was sent in to us last week that choked down an original Bondy Bait head first. Attachments ---------------- Kaleb.jpg (119KB - 431 downloads) | |||
| RandalB |
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| Rotag |
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| Team Rhino |
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