I've spent much time in the water last week. Dive, skish, you name it, you could wring me out like a damp cloth. Probably spent 25 hours in the sea at least. Vis had started to improve up until Tuesday evening but Wed, it turned to poo again on the SE. Down to perhaps 1.5 meters of vis.

I had some new stuff arrive for testing from Molix, a Japanese built, Italian designed lure company again but these, whilst newer to the UK market might be offering something that little bit extra.

Lets take a look at what I've got before they get mauled or lost. Whatever comes first really I guess.

First up is the TJerk. In 117mm or (120) this lure doesn't pull hard on a steady retrieve despite it's fairly large bib but, it does JERK ! down well with a positive sweep of the rod. It rolls at it does so and, it's unique (afaik) hexagonal cross section throws out considerable light underwater even in full moonlight. Casts fairly well but it isn't a horizon rocket.

Wide bib, or wider than the shoulders normally means we are looking at a medium paced hard bait with some roll. It didn't surprise me in either category but, being fair,it does it well. Where it might score is it's ability to throw light from various angles. As you'll read later in a future article, too much lure or, not enough lure can mean the difference between success and failure. This lure will reflect light from various sky angles due to the cross section and, it's pronounced roll. Just tap it, roll it once, send a flash out but, don't overdo it.....

Here, you can see that hexagonal crossectional body quite well. I'd put it in my bag but it is competing with OSP Rudra and similar lures for pride of place. This is what you get when you saturate the market with 1 style of lure. Namely, the minnow bait. Not saying choice is a bad thing but, I've looked in many peoples gear boxes of late and 30 plugs, all do the same thing. That isn't the way guys. Cover the water column.

Next up, Molix 'Finder Jerk'. Before we start, I hate white plugs. It's just a personal thing but, I closed my eyes as i swam this one through it's paces. LOL. A very slow floating lure in the salt (17.5 deg C) I found this lure did cast very well. It is purported to have a reinforced plastic lip so, JERK'ing in around hard structure shouldn't be an issue. I know we hear stories of people snapping bibs on lures but to be honest, It's never happened to me unless I acted like a prat or ran a lure really fast into the deck or a rocky ledge. Choose the right lures for the job and you'll be ok. Breakages might happen but, that is part of the game as is lure loss. If you priorty is a lure collection, change your sport now because to consistently catch Bass, you need to chuck these things into the mix.

I actually really liked this lure. It reminded me somewhat of the DEPS Ballisong Minnow but with a quicker paced tighter action with the tip down and cranking. It held at about 4ft on PE # 1.0 8 carrier YGK braid with a 4ft 14lb FC leader and of course, no clip. I hate clips, prefering instead, the good ol Rapala style knot. As with the TJerk, this lure has a tendency to tail up float. A little suspender lead weight or an additional tiny split ring rearward of the balance point will correct that. WHY ? I like my suspending and slow floating lures to rise or hold in suspension in a true, horizontal attitude.

The Molix Brugas. Now, this is one that I like. Really like. It is away from the safe bet on imported 'minnow lures' and, it reminds me of one of my all time favourites, the Lucky Craft Pointer 100 and 120. This one though is way different. Flat sided like a proper flat sided crankbait, more reminiscent of USA Bass tour plugs than something you'd expect to find in a British sea lure anglers box.

20g, really active even at slow speeds, casts quite well, and runs 4 - 5ft on PE #1.0 (your findings could be different as these lines are THIN), You can't JERK this bait on standard tipped rods, you would on a Tenyru Rod Bar 210/240 etc but even then, you'd need to be aggressive. It doesn't need it though as this lure cruises down to depth and starts it's throbbing action very quickly as the handle is turned. The rounded lip helps it to bump OFF structure but, It's not a lure for heavy Vraic weed or Japweed, more, boulders and or, sand digging. Flat sided lures are terrible at hook point protection but not as bad as any minnow lure to date. Both require fairly clean water but, this lure will emulate all those round baits that the minnow lure chooses to ignore. There are more baits in the sea than sandeels !

These lures where made available to the UK via Pro Lures Direct.

How about these for new HRF rockfish fodder ? The Roboworm 'Zipper' style lures with the beaver tail looks set to murder the Wrasse. This one is a 3 1/2" Grub, quite heavy for it's size, very soft and has a strong scent. Thankfully NOT garlic LOL Get them from Monster Tackle. < EDIT > 30/07/10 Keep the Roboworms away from other lures especially the preformed plastics that cost that bit extra. They don't like contact with some other plastic lures. So, keep em separate or, be sorry. </EDIT>

Other stuff that I've been trying from these guys include....

Zoom Fluke Tails. Pollack, Wrasse and Bass love flukes.

Right, here are two lures from Lucky Craft. The Glass minnow. Before we go any further, I didn't expect anything from these. I hate sidewinders and pre-weighted lures because they have no versatility. However.... I will say, I was quite pleased with these lures. They are well moulded and have a raised back to hide the semi weedless hook, they are softish without being too soft and,they don't have that mass produced 'this is crap at a premium price smell either. The thing that got me with these was the way they cast. Many paddletailed lures and indeed, many SP's in general 'Helicopter' there way out to the target. These don't, at all. No matter how gentle or how hard they are cast, they fly like darts. Really superb range on a such a small lure due to the aerodynamics and weighting of this lure. They have got it right.

Next up.... and sourced in Japan...

Imakatsu Javallon in 140 size. I have 90's, 140's and 160's. Paul B put me onto these after we were discussing tackling larger fish perhaps tuned into the deeper vibration offered by larger baits and lures alike. These things ARE AWESOME !! and they swim, really swim like a fish just milling along. The feedback to the rod tip is incredible and,they are weightly, dense, soft and cast like a senko. In other words, they cast a long, long way without added weight.

This is a 160 folded up. Just look how articulated these swimbaits are. I've played with various rigging options and have come to the conclusion that weightless/weedless is the way and we'll be swimming these in the lagoons at the bottom end of the fast gutters across the huge volumes of standing up Japweed and bootlace weed. I can just tell, these things are going to throw up some big fish. They feel dead right.

In the next article, i'll be discussing a load of stuff I found relating to how fish react underwater to lures, light, sound and...people. Some of it surprised me.

Until then....

Thanks for reading.