Tackle Talk – Mylar Minnow, Split Tail Flash J, LuckyStrike Minnows

Tackle talk is a new section covering fishing tackle of all sorts but with an emphasis on new lures with seaway and broadwater potential.   Today we will be covering OSP mylar minnows, FishArrow split tail Flash J's and a selection of Lucky Strike Minnows and sinking Stick Baits.

OSP Mylar Minnows

These have been around for a while and are pretty pricey at around US$15.00 a pack.  They have a realistic body shape and flash belly, they are a bit more supple that the Flash J's and as a result have an excellent action in the water.  Ideal for dropshotting or for use on the split shot rig with fussy fish but also can be used with a standard jighead with care.  They come in 2 sizes, 2.5" and 3.5" with the 2.5" the perfect size for the bait that enters the seaway most commonly.  Excellent colour range but nothing that would be a perfect imitation of a white pilchard, some colours come close though.   Overall they look like an excellent addition to the tackle box but due to the cost they will probably only be brought out when the fish are fussy.

Only available through Samurai tackle at the moment.

FishArrow Split Tail Flash J

These are new this year, basically they have taken the original Flash J, reduced the height and width(awesome) added a split tail(awesome) and as a result a much better action in the water. Colour range is quite limited at the moment, the closes thing to a white pilchard is probably the Wakasagi or Kosan Ayu silver.    Only available in 3" at the moment.  They should be ideal for very fussy fish such as kingfish rigged on a split shot rig. Would also work well on a dropshot rig, though it looks too thin to be put on a standard jighead with the possible exception of squidgy jigheads with the wire keeper.  They cost around US$13.00 a pack.

Only available through Samurai Tackle and numbers are extremely limited.

LuckyStrike Lanky 120mm shallow running minnow

The Lanky is a 120mm shallow running minnow, supplied by LuckyStrike Fishing tackle.  The finish is good with some nice detail on the eyes and fairly hard wearing paintjob.  The lure swims well and casts well and has a seductive wiggle that lures in the fish.  In this category its up against the heavyweights of the megabass vision 110 and the Rapala XR10, both proven shallow running lures but I think it has the goods to be a longterm player in the field.  Colour range is limited to Green, Blue, Clear/Black.  Cost would be around the AU$15.00 mark so considerably cheaper than its competitors, so something you wouldn't mind chucking onto a shallow rock ledge or that risky cast.  Pretty much restricted in use to edge fishing the seaway, working a shallow flat or casting into a bustup. Hooks and rings look good quality but restricted to light gear, nothing over about 15lb.  I'll be giving this one more of a go over the next few months so we will see how it fares.

Available through LuckyStrike Fishing tackle: email luckystrikeft@gmail.com or visit http://www.facebook.com/LuckyStrikeft

LuckyStrike Thunder 110mm Sinking Bait

The LuckyStrike Thunder Sinking Bait is a 110mm sinking Stickbait supplied by LuckyStrike Fishing tackle.   Finish is good with some nice detail, seems hardwearing so far.  Stock trebles are weak and need to be replaced, I recommend Owner ST56 #6 or Decoy Y-s81 #6.  The rings look good though and should be strong enough.  This stickbait casts well but as with most stickbaits it depends on the angler to give it most of the action, though it does sink horizontally and have a wobble on the way down.  I prefer the 3 jerk pause for most minnows and stick baits and this works fine with this stickbait.  Colour range is limited to Yellow(pictured), Pink and Blue.  Cost would be around the AU$15.00 mark.  You could use this lure over the flats, edge fishing with care, sinking down through current lines  or casting at surface feeding fish.

Available through LuckyStrike Fishing tackle: email luckystrikeft@gmail.com or visit http://www.facebook.com/LuckyStrikeft

LuckyStrike Thunder 80mm Sinking Bait

The LuckyStrike Thunder Sinking Bait is a 80mm sinking Stickbait supplied by LuckyStrike Fishing tackle. Colour finish is good, and seems to be fairly hard wearing so far.  Once again stock trebles are weak and needs to be replaced with Decoy Y-s81 #8, though the rings are fine.  The lure casts well, and wobbles horizontally on the way down. This one rises to just below the surface quite quickly once you begin the retrive and travels about half a metre under the water though if you added longer pauses it would stay deeper.  Standard stickbait retrive works fine with it.  Cost is around the AU$15.00 mark, colour range is limited to Pink(pictured) or Yellow. You could use this lure over the flats, edge fishing with care, sinking down through current lines  or casting at surface feeding fish.

Available through LuckyStrike Fishing tackle: email luckystrikeft@gmail.com or visit http://www.facebook.com/LuckyStrikeft