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Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | Questions on the "perfect" big bucktail. Or what have you caught the most muskies on out of your bucktail collection?
Would you prefer the following:
Blades (Colorado):
Double #8s
Double #10s
Length:
8 inches
10 inches
12 inches
Skirt type:
Hair
Marabou
Tinsel/mylar
Silicon/Rubber
Hair Color:
(*Post your favorite or two that go well together)
Hook size (This lure would have two):
5/0
7/0
Optimal weight:
2oz.
3oz.
4oz.
Thanks! This will help me make my new bucktail line.
James
Edited by Grunt Lures 3/29/2007 6:46 AM
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| don't chase the crowd.
obviously the big double-10s such as the Mojo XX are very popular right now after their success the last few seasons. but that also means that everybody and their brother is making them and the market is flooded.
you might consider looking to make something unique to stand out.
the Ring Bling spinnerbaits are a good example of a bait using the popular big blades in a way that isn't "new" per se, but is being more effectively marketed than past versions. it meets the demand for the big double-10s without directly competing with all the other bucktails available using that design.
the Krook is another good example: making use of the oh-so-popular double-10 blades but in a completely radical design for easily bulging the bait. innovation at it's finest.
here's an idea...go small.
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Posts: 2089
| Ok, I'll bite.
1.Mepps Musky Killer(black/silver)
2.Mepps Giant Killer(Tandem or single, white/silver)
3.Bucher 700 series(brown/flame)
4.Muskie Mojo XX( black/red/nickel)
5.Musky Mayhem DCG(red/flame)
I'm probably aging myself with #'s 1, 2 and 3. They also get a 4" white twister off the back.Leavin' the dance with who brought me.3 old and 2 new. Steve |
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Posts: 8781
| Well...
I've got Gerry's Girls, XX's, XXX's, Dinner Bells, Magnum Eagle Tails, and Giant Flashers. Rather than get into a great debate over which is better, I'll just talk features, and why they are important to me.
1. Blade thickness: The thicker blades add weight, and they allow you to run the bait deeper and still have the blades spin. Doesn't mean they are better, though.
2. Painted blades: I like them naked. Paint chips off.
3. Blade style: Because I have no preference and no reason to have one, I like one hammered and one smooth. I figure whatever advantage one has over the other (if there is one) would be accomplished best with one of each. (can't go wrong then)
4. .50 vs .62 wire: I prefer the heavier wire. Might hamper the action slightly, but it feels sturdier. Do sturdier baits catch more fish? Who knows. I just like things sturdy. Makes me feel good knowing it will last longer, even though I've never worn out a bucktail, and probably never will.
5. Hair.vs flashabou.vs marabou.vs silicone: I love/hate flashabou. It gets wet and sticks to EVERYTHING, wraps around the hooks, welds itself together. Glues itself to your other baits. Looks cool in the water though. Looks REALLY cool in fact. Marabou is my favorite. I like how it pulsates in the water, it looks like its alive, and it reminds me of my younger days, watching pretty colorful things that swirl around. Hair? Well, its hair -- it just kind of sits there. But it doesn;t tangle, it doesn't get brittle, and it doesn't leave the fish with a mouthful of *puh!* and no hooks. Silicone is the most manageable, dries easily, and holds its shape nicely, so as far as manageability, silicone shines.
What does that all mean? Well, each has its advantages. I really prefer marabou in two colors, with a little flashabou teaser on the back. Again, that's just because it amuses ME. The fish don't care. They eat the things because of the blades.
6. Split rings. SPLIT RINGS! Knowing I can cut the hooks off if I have to and replace them? That's huge. Big bucktails aren't cheap. More than anything, if I can replace the hooks, that's the lure I'm going to buy, because you never know when you might have to cut one out of a fish. Or one of your friends, your dog, your net bag...
Now for my advice: (whether you want it or not)
EVERYONE will be throwing the double #10's this year, even more than last year. Everyone is already making them -- the time to jump in and start bulding them with any hopes of a large sales volume? Last year. Even two years ago. But now? No matter how you make it, its going to be "just another big bucktail in a sea of big bucktails". If you're looking to make them for fun, for your club, for your friends, or just to avoid having to buy them because you're a big bucktail nut? By all means, do. But if you're looking to make money selling them? I think you kinda missed the boat.
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Posts: 134
| Steve might be aging himself with the Mepps but is there really a BETTER lure on the market? All the new bucktail spinners are really variations of a Mepps. A lot of new and very good improvments but still a basic design. I wish Mepps would make a really big version fo their Giant Killer though.
Joe Wishim |
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| Point well taken on the Mepps legacy, for sure. Blue Fox Vibrax is another bait I wish they'd increase the size and weight on, too. That bell in the body has to have something to do with it. All kinds of fish clobber them. In both cases, I hate the way they do the front hook. I cut off all three points/bends as close to the main shank as possible and put a new one off the cut hook's eye with a split ring. The old hook stumps are hidden inside the hair or feathers. They hit for me a lot on that front hook and when you cut it, she's done. Adding a replaceable hook works well. I like the extra bare wire inside the Vibrax for adding weight. Grimm Reaper has some bullet-proof bigger baits in the nine to ten inch range I really like too, using a similar set-up. Osprey bucktails are made locally in N Ontario and made to order, I have a bunch of their buckails and spinnerbaits are they're super also. Real simple, sturdy design and the upper thread wrappings are completely encased in a lead head at the top of the bait. Most of the better muskies I've caught the last three or four years have been on maribou. |
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Posts: 129
| I just picked up a llungen lures dc 10.This thing looks great in the water. As far as the most, its a split between the blue fox and the lillytail.Two of my biggest Illinois fish(45) are on the bluefox and my longest to date(49) was on a lillytail from minnesota. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | i got some of the boo blings from kevin cochran and the double 10's along with the bigger profile ... it all makes sense. my favorite one of the bunch i think is going to be the black maribu with double black blades. thump with the broader profile ... can't wait! |
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| he said booblings |
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Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | Thanks Guys! I realize I am a little late to the party  But I also know some of the numbers of these baits that are selling. I only want 1000-2000 a year of that number and I will be happy. I plan on making my bucktails with all of the heaviest components while still making the bait work pervectly. I assume sales will follow a well made bait. Just may take a little longer to capture some sales due to the flood of new bucktails out. I have a plan though!!! I have some new skirt material that will blow most muskie guys AWAY! This material will have more flash/shimmer while still bulging behind the blades than any other. Problem is, I need to make new production equipment and have the material made special for me. $$$$ is the problem and the sales of the above bucktail will help with that. I am sure some will follow but, I will be the first out with this new stuff and it will be hard to make and imposible to find. First out is hard in this industry End of this year or next year you will start to see them.
Thanks again!
James |
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Posts: 759
| I totally agree with Esoxman 50's call for a Magnum Giant Killer! Kdawg |
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Posts: 786
Location: Minnesota | This one I made and it is close to what a Mepps "Giant" Musky Killer might look like. This one did not work well though. The big double willows did not start up well. I can burn it or troll it fast and make it work but you really have to pull it in fast to get the blades spinning. No slow rolling this girl in. I don't plan on making this one but thought it might be nice to show it.
James
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