Lure Reviews
Southern Shaker From TC Custome Baits
Rating: A+
Submitted By: Doug Cavin, OH (10/02/2007)
Tim Cole from TC Custom Baits contacted me about
testing out his Southern Shaker. At the time I wasn't
really sold on the fact that any of these type of
bladed swim jigs worked as well as a lot of people
think. I know conditions have to be right for any bait
to work it's best but I had tried several name brands
with poor results in all conditions. I told Tim I
would test it out and abuse it to the best of my
ability to make sure it held it under the toughest
conditions. What I found out was the others I had
tried just were not made as well and didn't have the
right action to get the reaction bite I was looking
for. Not only was the Southern Shaker catching fish
but it held up under abuse no angler would put it
through under normal use. While test it I used it
along with two named brand baits on 7' heavy action
Woo Daves Signature Series rods, 20 Vicious
fluorocarbon line, Johnny Morris SS reels and 1/2oz
white/chart baits from all three companies. I used
each bait for a solid hour each around grass, wood,
docks, brush and open water. The first half of the
hour I fished in the same spots with all three baits
and the second half I fished new water with all three.
The two top name brands produced one fish each with
the biggest one being just over 2lbs. Both fish came
no more than a foot about from each other from a
stump. I then fished the Southern Shaker to see how it
could do any better. First cast I could tell the
action was better than the other two and the bass
could to because a 3lb+ whacked it on about the sixth
turn of the reel handle. On the next three cast not
much happened at all but on the fifth cast a 4lb
smallmouth whacked it on the same stump that had
produced the first two fish with the other so called
"name brands". In the first half hour fishing the same
spots as the first two baits I caught a total of 7
keepers with the biggest being the 4lb smallie. It was
going well covering the same spots so I fished it
again the second half just to see what would happen.
In the second half I caught 5 more keeper fish
covering the same water that had been pounded for a
total of an hour and a half already. To say I was
pleased would be an understatement. It out fished the
two "name brand" baits 12 to 2 covering the same
water. The action, components, price and down home
customer service you get from TC Custom Baits not only
sets it apart from the so called name brands but puts
it to the front of the line. Take a look at the
Southern Shaker at TC Custom Baits . Also take a look
at the new Southern Shakey. Doug
The Banjo Minnow
Rating: A+
Submitted By: Joseph Trousdale, St. Louis, MO (9/25/2007)
I know this is not a new product, but this is a soft plastic jerk bait that every angler
should have. This is my go-to bait when I cannot produce with anything else. You can work this lure so many ways, that
it can be an ideal lure for any condition. Top water, jigging, Texas style, Carolina style, yo-yo style, making it look
like a dying fish (one of the best ways), This lure can really do it all. They make them in all sizes and colors, and
even make pike and musky sized ones. They do not sell them in many stores, but I know BassPro has them. Also you can go
to their website: Http://www.banjominnow.com. A+ In my book!
Booyah® Boogie Bait
Rating: C+
Submitted By: Joseph Trousdale, St. Louis, MO (9/25/2007)
I really like the idea of this bait (crankbait, spinnerbait, and Jig all in one), but it does
not seem to produce as well as any one of those baits alone. It seems that each one of those lures are more effective than
using the boogie bait itself. It has produced well, but not lived up to its standards in my book. C+
