Imagine dragging one of your favorite balsa wood stickbait out of
your tackle box and giving it to a self confessed trophy fish hunter,
Jake Bunio to trick out. He would start by taking out the original
bill and replacing it with a beefed up lip that could take some major
abuse. Next, he would change out the hooks and rings replacing them
with extra strong hardware sturdy enough to land a trophy fish. Finally,
he would completely remove the generic finish and replace it with a
highly realistic finish that imitated a Rainbow Trout, Tui Chub, or
Kokanee Salmon.
Hand crafted
stickbaits catch bass when a subtle approach is necessary or
when a larger profile bait is required to catch that trophy
bass. |
The final lure
would be tricked out but for Bunio it would still be missing some
key components for the perfect stickbait. Being hard-core about his
stickbaits Bunio went straight into research and development on his
own stickbait and ended up designing the Trophy Sticks. Bunio’s
tricked out Trophy Sticks (www.trophysticks.com or call 916-221-0126)
are all hand crafted out of balsa wood, hand tuned and weighed, and
have a custom painted finish. For most lure companies that would be
enough but remember I said Bunio is hard-core when it comes to his
lures. So the Trophy Sticks also comes with 3-D realistic eyes, protruding
gills, extra thick diameter bill, extra thick glossy clear coat that’s
resist scratching, Daiichi Xtra Strong hooks and rings, has a hydro
dynamic shape, a unique weight balance system, and a custom paint finish
with life-like scale pattern. “Although one of the main reasons
the Trophy Sticks catches trophy fish is its unique hunting action,” said
Bunio.
Minnow plugs or
stickbaits have been around since anglers began building their own
lures. Bunio explained 3 techniques for fishing stickbaits are, “First,
cast it to cover or around structure and jerk the rod a couple times
and slowly start reeling it in, every so often jerking the bait then
continue to keep reeling slowing, keeping the bait about a foot under
the surface of the lake, or anglers can cast it out and just very
slowly reel it in, or cast it out and twitch it on the surface of
the lake like a injured bait; the second way is ripping where you
are trolling with the gas engine, usually in 20-foot of water, allowing
the bait to run about 7-foot deep and rhythmically ripping or pulling
the rod tip quickly forward; Third, trolling where anglers keep the
boat moving with the outboard engine and the rods can be held or put
in holders.”
When casting or trolling Bunio likes to use between 12 to 20-pound
fluorocarbon fishing line depending on water clarity and the desired
depth; although, he will use 30-pound braid when ripping or 65-pound
braid when fishing for trophy fish.
Trophy Sticks come in 3 highly realistic finishes that imitate
a Rainbow Trout, Tui Chub, or Kokanee Salmon |
A tricked out hand crafted, balsa wood Trophy Stick would not be complete
without a custom paint finish. Trophy Sticks come in 3 color patterns
and 3 different sizes that imitate favorite baitfish for Largemouth,
Smallmouth, Spotted Bass, Striped Bass, White Bass, Hybrids, Brown
Trout, Walleye, Mackinaw, and Steelheads just to name a few. Tasty
Tui color pattern imitates a Tui-chub or is sometimes call hitch. Baby
Bow bears a life-like resemblance to a rainbow trout pattern. Silver
Platter gives the impression of being a small Salmon, threadfin shad,
or Blueback Herring. Anglers can also expect some new color pattern
coming out soon.
There are 2 types of anglers, the one which buys ever lure in their
tackle box and the other angler who has enough talent to create their
own by hand. The tricked out Trophy Stick allows anglers an opportunity
to have a hand crafted, custom painted finished, premium balsa wood
bait without having to take the time themselves to make it; unless
they are as hard-core as Bunio.
Brad
Wiegmann is a full time fishing guide on Beaver lake and
Lake SWEPCO in Northwest Arkansas. Brad guides for Largemouth,
Spotted, Smallmouth, Stripers and White Bass. He is also a free-lance
writer who's weekly column "Speaking of Fishing" appears
weekly in several local newspapers. You may also see him doing
seminars, working outdoor shows or featured in outdoor magazines such
as BASSMASTER Magazine, Outdoor life and Arkansas Sportsman. He
also fishes the FLW Tour, Stren and local open tournaments. He
is currently on the Pro staff, promotional staff and guide programs
of numerous tackle manufactures, lure companies, and fishing related
companies. You can contact him at (479) 756-5279, at bwiegmann@cox.net or
visit his website at www.bradwiegmann.com for
more information.
