Top 10 Lucky Craft Lures - #9
By: “Triton” Mike Bucca
(www.tritonmike.com)
With the extensive lineup of baits that Lucky Craft
has I can certainly understand why it might cause a lot of people mass
confusion on what tool to purchase and for what job. I have received
countless emails pertaining to my opinion of various baits in the Lucky
Craft lineup. I have been fishing with Lucky Craft lures since the
late 90’s and I have also been on the Lucky Craft Pro-staff for
the past year and a half. As a fishing guide here in Georgia with over
200 days a year on the water, I have extensive experience in using
pretty much every bait in their entire lineup, and several Lucky Craft
baits that aren’t even offered here in the U.S. I felt this top
10 list would help ease your pain in your bait selection before you
plop down the bucks for one of these fine pieces of craftsmanship.
Be sure to check in here at Probass.net often, as I will give a different
review on my top ten Lucky Craft baits that I rely on the most. You
just might be surprised to see some of the baits I rely on everyday
that you might not think are an effective bait.
#9 Big Daddy Strike 4 (BDS 4)
Lucky Crafts BDS 4 in the Pro Tune series gets my nod for #9 in my
top ten listing. The Big Daddy Strike (BDS for short) comes in two
sizes a BDS 3, which dives approximately 3 feet, and the BDS 4, which
dives approximately 4 feet. Both models are 3 inches long and weigh
approximately a ½ oz according to the catalog, but I believe
the BDS 4, which has a slightly wider profile might weigh in closer
to ¾ of an ounce. The BDS line comes in 36 different shad and
crawfish type of colors, which can be seen at the website listed below:
http://www.luckycraft.com
The BDS is a non-rattle crankbait that is extremely buoyant due to
the “air-floating concept” which gives it very similar
characteristics to that of crankbaits made of balsa wood. Balsa cranks
and the BDS line of cranks, are noted for being able to work their
way through even the most gnarliest lay-downs and brushpiles due to
their extreme buoyancy. The action can best be described as a wide
wobble action. One thing I notice while retrieving the BDS is the tip
of my rod is constant vibrating back and forth. That should give you
an idea about the vibration abilities of this bait.
BDS is the nickname of the 2004 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Champion
Gerald Swindle who is notorious for his unique “JUNK” style
of fishing. Gerald played a key role in developing this bait for Lucky
Craft to fill a niche that was missing for him in the Lucky Craft lineup
of baits.
The BDS 4 is my favorite Largemouth crankbait for fishing shallow
backwater areas and it is also an excellent bait for stained and muddy
water conditions, but don’t discontinue it for clear water applications
either. I think the BDS has the profile similar to that of a bream,
which are often on the diet of BIG BASS. The reason I like the BDS
4 over the BDS 3 is simply because when I am working shallow wood cover
in stained and muddy water conditions I want the crank to dive as deep
as possible to root up the bottom and to bang the structure very hard
during the retrieve. I also feel that the bigger profile and the wider
wobble fit the water conditions that I fish the most, but don’t
get me wrong the BDS 3 is definitely a competitor. Another advantage
of the BDS is the ability to cast it long distances to cover shallow
flats especially during the fall and spring time of the year when the
fish migrate to the shallows in search of an easy meal. Both models
come with dual #4 treble hooks and are capable of holding any size
bass that you might encounter. I mostly fish the BDS in the very back
of creeks where laydowns and other heavy cover are plentiful. This
bait does an excellent job of deflecting off limbs and brush, which
is great for triggering a reaction strike from the fish. I also like
to vary my retrieve based on my current water temperatures. During
the spring I love to burn this crank as fast as a 6.3.1 gear ratio
will let me and during the winter I utilize a slow crawl retrieve through
the thick laydowns to create an impulse strike. Most of the fish that
hit the BDS will be BONE JARRING and occur right after you clear an
obstacle.
As far as equipment is concerned, I like to use a beefy 15lb fluorocarbon
line when fishing the BDS 3 and 4 to insure I have enough line strength
to winch the fish out of heavy cover if needed. I like Triplefish fluorocarbon
(www.triplefish.net) primarily because fluorocarbon is a sinking line
and due to its low stretch characteristics you will have no problem
detecting the strikes. Most medium action crankbait rods will be a
great choice for fishing the BDS line of cranks.
That’s my review of my #9 pick of must-try Lucky Craft baits.
Give the BDS 4 a whirl in your local backwater areas that are chock
full of laydowns and heavy cover and also shallow flats. One thing
is for certain, don’t be surprised if you catch a Spotted Bass
on it as it is a favorite bait of my for big Magnum Spots. ?
www.tacklewarehouse.com
