For
the Competitive Angler
Written
By: Rick McFerrin
www.tennesseebassguides.com
Introduction
Recently
Tennessee Bass Guides had the honor of teaming up with the Prowler
Lure Company which is located in Leitchfield Kentucky
due north of Bowling Green. From prior use I knew how good their
product was, so I was excited to have them aboard. Prowler is one
of the fastest growing soft plastic bait companies in the United
States and is owned and operated by the Van Meter family. One of
the very first things that impressed me was that Prowler is a fishing
lure company that is still operated by tournament fishermen. Mr.
Van Meter is an avid tournament bass fisherman and keep a torrid
tournament schedule. I really believe this is one of the reasons
why Prowler continues to be so successful. Nothing compares to (1)
being in the trenches for years and seeing for yourself what works
and what doesn't (2) surrounding yourself with a professional fishing
staff that assists in new product ideas and design enhancements.
Unfortunately in many large bait companies today it's the lure designers
and marketing departments (which rarely fish) that determine what
go's to market and what doesn't. But not true with Prowler, they
only produce baits made by bass fishermen for bass fishermen. With
this "on water" approach it enables Mr. Van Meter and the
Prowler Pro Team to meet the needs of a ever changing fishing climate.
Innovative life like baits that are available in a multitude of colors
to meet every water situation. Since the Prowler Lure Company produces
such a extensive line of plastic baits it would be difficult for
me to cover all of them in one article. So, to do justice to these
fine baits and to give you the reader a better understanding of each,
there will be a series of articles that hopefully will be of great
value you. The Tennessee Bass Guides Team members have personally
tested these baits and I can tell you that each guide has been very
impressed with the results. My policy hasn't changed "We only
promote items that we use on a regular basis-that works for us" by
doing so you get an honest straight forward assessment.
Prowler Chunks
Looking
over the reports for the past several months our guide team members
have been catching largemouth and smallmouth bass on several
different Tennessee lakes and rivers pitching and flipping a variety
of jigs. For those of you that are "Jig Fanatics" you know
that many times the "Jig/Chunk Size" and bulk in the water
can make all the difference in the world on catching or not catching
fish. I guess in some respects a bass is allot like us...sometimes
we want a "Big Meal" and sometimes we want a "Small
Meal" When throwing small jigs and hair fly's that are 1/16th
to 3/32nds in weight, on 4lb and 6lb test I like to use a small chunk.
This is where the Prowler Eel and Prowler Small Pro Chunks come on
strong for me. I have found that when the bite has been very tough
the Prowler Eel is the chunk I turn to. I'm not sure if it's, for
lack of better words the "Slenderness" of the bait or the
longer configuration of it's tail that makes a difference. It make
very well be that it just doesn't move as much water upon entry.
But what ever the case this is one great multi-use trailer. Combined
with the right size jig it just becomes a snack for a Smallmouth.
The Eel also works extremely well on spinner baits as a trailer and
inserting into tubes. Both sizes of the Prowler Ell comes in 18 different
colors to meet any need.
Then there are times that the Prowler Small Pro Chunk is what I
turn to. I like using this size chunk on 6 and 8lb test and a 1/8th
and 3/16th ounce jig. I like this size because it adds a little bulk
to the jig and the wider tail seems to move more water. This jig
and chunk combo is a in between size for me that I like to use in
lay downs and in rivers when there is moderate current. There is
enough weight not to get swept away but still light enough to have
a slower fall. On jigs 1/4 ounce and up I like the Prowler Medium
(picture to the left) and Jumbo Chunks. These add a little more water
displacement and weight. The tails of these chunks are very flexible
and have a fantastic action. All three sizes of these Prowler Chunks
are available in 20 different colors many of which are unavailable
on any other manufactures plastic baits.
Another
valuable tool in the Prowler treasure chest is the Pro Craw and
the Jr. Pro Craw Chunk. Both of these Pro Craws are Salt and
Garlic Injected. The "NEW" patent pending design of the
Pro Craw gives a realistic appearance to any jig or spinner bait.
Take time to check these baits out in clear shallow water, you will
see what I mean. The pinchers create a almost natural defense stance
that just begs a big fish to take a bite. Once again just as a personal
choice I like to use the Jr. Pro Craw Chunk on 1/8th and 3/16th ounce
jigs and the larger Pro Craw Chunk on larger jigs. Experiment, other
size and jig weight combos may work better for you. These baits are
also fantastic spinner bait trailers and are you have a great selection
of 30 colors to choose from.
Prowler Tubes
What
a selection for you to choose from. Prowler manufactures 7 different
Tubes in multiple lengths and sizes. All Prowler Tubes
are a soft double dipped tube with long tentacles that deliver incredible
action. These are truly some of the hottest baits in the industry
today. From the Super Tube-Big Butt Tube-Stubby Tube-Pro Super Tube-Pro
Flipping Tube-Finesse Tube to the Crappie Tubes Prowler has it covered
with the highest quality fish catching baits available any where.
Some one might ask "Why so many choices of size and colors of
the same type bait"? Well lets see how I can answer this. (1)
Bass have varying degrees of taste when it comes to eating. There
are times their pray may be small like crayfish and small bait fish.
Other times the may be feeding on larger bluegill-shad and other
larger available bait. (2) Water clarity also plays a big part in
making your lure choice. In stained to muddy water I like a larger
bait like the Prowler Super Tube or Big Butt Tube that creates more
water movement which helps the bass zero in on the bait. In clearer
water I like to go to the Prowler Finesse and Stubby Tube which has
a more subtle movement. (3) Water clarity many times will help you
make color choices. Normally in darker water I try to stay with darker
colors like Black-Dark Reds and Deep Purples. In clearer water I
like watermelon, smoke pepper, pearls and pumpkin . But sometimes
there are glaring exceptions to this scenario. I fish a clear deep
lake near my home for Smallmouth. June bug always seems to be my
best go to color which defies some of my earlier thoughts. This is
where you need to experiment to find out what works best for you.
Through years of fishing experience Mr. Van Meter realized the necessity
of making multiple sizes (7) and colors (26) available because of
the very reasons we just talked about.
Prowler Grubs
Prowler manufactures 5 grubs for you to choose from. The 4.5 inch
Pro Fat Grub-3.5 inch Pro Grub and the Pro Crappie Grub. All have
extra wide tails that vibrates immediately when you begin your retrieve.
These baits come in 14 different colors. There are times just like
yesterday when the wind was up to 20mph and the Smallmouth were on
the windiest points that a Prowler Grub is hard to beat. You can
rig the Pro Fat Grub on a 1/4 ounce jig head and cast extremely well
into the wind. The action of the bait begins immediately and many
time smallmouth will hammer the grub on the fall. There are also
times when a smaller grub and jig head is needed. Those times when
the bass are a little more finicky. That's when I turn to the 3.5
inch Pro Grub. Both sizes are great baits and with 14 colors to choose
from you just can't go wrong.
The New C Leggs is a innovative bait that combines twin tails with
a flat belly that helps slow the baits fall. The legs of the bait
is just a tad thicker which keeps the tails from sticking together.
The C-Leggs can be fished alone as a grub. On a jig as a trailer
and effectively as a drop shot bait. You will have to see the action
of these baits to believe it. Once again being a light line guy I
really like the C-Leggs Minus on a 1/16th ounce jig head. This little
tid-bit is just a snack for those big brown fish. Two sizes and 26
colors to choose from....This ones a real winner, you need to check
them out.
Conclusion
This time around we covered Prowler Chunks-Tubes and Grubs and we
didn't get half way through the great selection of soft plastic baits
that Prowler manufactures. There will be at least 2 more follow up
articles to cover the remaining items. You have many choices when
you stand in front of soft plastic sections in your favorite tackle
store. Some brands are price driven, some brands are name recognition
driven, some brands are quality driven and others are just driven.
The next time you need a soft plastic bait give Prowler a try-you
won't regret it. As a matter of fact if you buy one item you will
buy more they are just that good. Check them out on our web site
at www.tennesseebassguides.com scan down to the bottom of the first
page and click on the Prowler logo....If you have any questions just
send them to me I will be happy to help rickm@dtccom.net Thanks
for reading
Rick McFerrin
Owner
www.tennesseebassguides.com
