SteelShad among the most versatile lures on the market
By Joe Piscus
Capt. Steve Niemoeller of Central Florida
Guide Service shows off a bass he caught on a SteelShad blade
bait while fishing on the Harris Chain of lakes near Mount Dora,
Fla.
(Photo
by John N. Felsher) |
Minutes from the
launch, Capt. Steve Niemoeller of Capt. Steve's
Central Florida Guide Service tossed a SteelShad blade bait into the
mouth of a cut connecting two lakes. Moments later, he landed a 6-pound
bass, following quickly with a 3-pounder.
Measuring 2.5 inches and weighing 3/8-ounce, a SteelShad mimics a
threadfin shad in size, movement and color. It might attract any fish
that would eat a shad or a menhaden, which includes just about every
predatory fish! Probably the most versatile bait on the market, a SteelShad
catches fish from top to bottom. With a little manipulation, it can
imitate a wounded shad struggling on the surface, a sinking baitfish
or one trying to flee predators.
"It can catch fish from 6 inches to 60 feet deep," Niemoeller
said. "I've had trips where I've caught 40 to 50
bass on it with some up to 8.5 pounds. It works wonders for schooling
fish.
The 3/8 oz. SteelShad color comes in 5 colors
- Gold, Firetiger,
Red Crawfish, Silver and Rainbow trout. (Photo
by John N. Felsher) |
Available in five flashy colors
including rainbow trout, firetiger, gold, red crawfish and silver,
a SteelShad tempts anything from panfish to musky. It works great
for largemouth bass, white bass, striped bass, smallmouth bass, pike,
walleye and many other species. In salt water, bluefish, redfish,
seatrout, mackerel and other predators find it hard to resist. Even
the razor teeth of many salty species can't hurt
the virtually indestructible steel construction.
Since it looks so much like a baitfish and can sail long distances,
a SteelShad makes an exceptional lure for targeting schooling fish.
Retrieve it steadily or yo-yo it up and down, letting it fall a few
feet. Bounce it off obstructions or work it parallel to weeds. Run
a SteelShad just over the tops of submerged vegetation, occasionally
letting it fall to tickle the grass tips.
For probing the depths, jig a SteelShad vertically over a hole or
along a creek channel. Heavy and streamlined, it sinks quickly. After
hitting bottom or the desired depth, pump the bait up and down. Fish
often slurp it as it falls.
Although made of steel, the thin blade bends and reforms easily. Out
of the package, it normally runs straight with a throbbing vibration
that radiates through the water. By bending the tail slightly, an angler
can make it track in a preferred direction, such as along a shoreline,
a weed bed or under a dock. The curved tail on a bent-bladed SteelShad
makes it rise and flop sideways, fluttering over the surface like an
injured shad.
"I put my thumb on the blade right behind the weight," Niemoeller
explained. "Where my thumbnail ends, I bend the tail 90 degrees.
To run it along a bank to the right, bend the tail to the right while
looking at the bait face. I can run it sideways along a bulkhead, stump
line or a weedy edge. If I want it to run straight again, I just bend
it back into its original position."
For booking trips with Niemoeller, call 386-846-2861 or see www.Cflfishing.com.
To order your SteelShads, see SteelShad.com.
