Product Review

Written By: Rick McFerrin 4/2004

I can’t help but wonder how many bass fishermen started out their quest by throwing in-line spinners in small creeks-rivers and ponds ? I can remember when I was just a kid (pre-drivers licenses) I would strap a fishing pole and a sack of Mepp's-Rooster Tails - Shysters and Ugly Bug's onto my bicycle and I would have to make a discussion. Did I want to peddle about 4 miles to the river that was full of smallmouth and rock bass or 2 1/2 miles to Mr. Mains pond which held some huge largemouth. Either choice was a good one which was verified by the stringer of fish that I would hang over my handle bars on the way back home. I had to pass a small manufacturing plant on my way and it seemed I was always stopped by the men that were on break wanting to know where I caught them and what was I using. When I showed them the little in-line spinners many times the reply was "Oh yes they catch fish but if you don't use a good swivel they will TWIST your line so bad you will have to change it every fishing trip. Well bicycles gave way to cars, trucks and bass boats and inline spinners gave way to cranbaits-spinnerbaits-jigs and the list go's on and on. The one thing that didn't go away in my mind was the "LINE TWIST" of the inline spinner. That was until last week!"

What if I told you that there is a Fantastic In-Line Spinner on the market (made right here in Middle Tennessee) that has eliminated (let me repeat) eliminated 100% of the line twist associated with the IN-Line Spinners? No extra swivel-no line twist-no hassle. Folks what your seeing to the left is that very bait! I wouldn't have believed it unless I tried it my self. Larry Wilson Owner of Bass Trapper Lure Co. explained to me last week while Larry-Christian (Larry's son) and I were fishing together that he spent several years and many sleepless nights working and refining the lure now known as "The Big Fish" These are the only TRUE Inline Spinner Baits that are designed specifically for the Tournament Fisherman. As you can see in the picture to your right these baits are assembled using a super high grade bearing swivel this is the secret behind the elimination of the line twist.

Larry set out to produce a bait using only top quality components that would provide the fisherman the ability to quickly change that bait right there on the water as conditions change. The 3/0 Mustad Spinner bait hook is attached to a swivel with a split ring. One thing I noticed immediately when I stuck our first fish was that once the fish is hooked-their hooked. The swivel takes away the fishes ability to throw the bait. I was able to fish the 1/4 oz bait (2 sizes are available 1/4 and 3/8) over the grass in the steam plant that morning with ZERO problems. The stripper at the right nailed it. You can easily control the running depth of these baits by raising and lowering your rod. They can yo-yo or buzz these baits and the large inline blade put off an unbelievable vibration and action that you can feel all the way through your rod handle. And the dimples on the bait it's self put off a reflection in clearer water. If you choose to change skirt colors it is easily done in using a matter of seconds.

But what happens in cover? How do you fish an exposed 3/0 hook in timber and other heavy cover? Simple and you have a couple of very good options. First you can simply Texas rig your favorite worm right on the existing hook or secondly you can quickly remove the 3/0 spinner bait hook and replace it with you favorite worm hook. I can assure you-because I tried it myself "IT WORKS". When rigged correctly you can slide the BIG Fish in-around and over lay downs-bush tops and fallen trees and that big blade just keeps on turning.

Another aspect of the BIG FISH is that it works great when fished vertical. I can't wait to try these out on suspended Kentucky's on Center Hill next winter. When you drop the bait down and pump it back up you can once again feel the vibration all the way through your rod. Christian is holding a bass that came of a chunk rock bank in the back of a creek. This was not-let me repeat not a good spinner bait conditions day. But we still caught several nice fish using various colors in both the 1/4oz and 3/8oz Big Fish lure.

Larry Wilson-his family and friends have put together a first rate-high quality inline spinner bait that will be part of my arsenal from now on. I urge you go to the bottom of this page or to our links page and look for the "BIG BASS TRAPPER FISH" it will lead you to more information on the baits-cost and locations that sell this great product. Larry and Christian it was great spending the day with you and I look forward to fishing with you again.

Rick McFerrin