In my opinion, the only thing a new Bulldawg is good for is to strip the hooks and split rings off of, then throw it away. I have actually had them break in half, just riding in the lure tubes in the boat. I think they are made out of what we used to call, Migrating Chicago River Whitefish.
Finally solved that problem. Dick had the good fortune to get his hands on a Hellkat earlier this season. This is a hand poured, hand made lure. Incredible, and indestructible. Great action, and surprisingly weed and rock friendly.
Threw one for a few hours yesterday, and not one, Ball-O-Dog, hook hang up on the leader, or even tail hang up on the hook. They come in both lead weighted, or cork weighted. These should really come into play as the late summer and fall progresses.
Where can I get on of these hand made beauties you ask? Why of course, right here at the Bay Store. Funny you should mention it.
how much? Lengths and Weights? I've always been anti-bulldawg, but maybe those will turn me around. Going to try some new things this fall, at least new for me that is.
Thanks Frank! Now I have to get rid of a suit case of Bulldawgs and buy these new super lures. Will you take a trade in on my Bulldawgs? 3 for 1 special?
I already have Musky Tackle Online sending me stuff with the return address as "Vicotria's Secrets". Will you do the same? Provides a little "deception" from the commandant!
yeah, force of habit it must be the blue striper genetics shinning through. Also, there are various levels of not being able to afford something. Directly proportional to the decoy packaging requirement. My wife would rip right into a Vicky's or Pup supply package. Now if it said something about thermodynamics, or materials and processes in manufacturing she'd be sure to leave it alone.
Kind of screwed up on the description. Size wise, they are in between a magnum Bulldawg and a Pounder. Don't have an exact weight, but probably closer to the magnum. You don't need a special rod to throw them like a Pounder would require.
The thing to understand with the Hellkat, is that it is a finesse bait. Works slower, and drops slower than a Bulldawg. Has an incredible hang time. I ran one a bit yesterday, and hard to believe, not one rock hang up or ball-o-dawg. Saw fish on it, but right now it is a shallow blade bite. Especially the double 10's.
I was more in the context of, Blue Stripers are who they are and whistling is what they do. The special rod requirement was my main concern, since that is unlikely to happen at this point in my life for a single bait that I may not throw very often. Can't wait to see the cork and the slow sink for October. It could be the bait, and it could be the year. Anything to chase away the whistle striper blues, which is quite different than the whistling at strippers blues.
Well I picked up one of these supposed good lures and I must say I completely disagree. They are FRIGGIN AMAZING FISH CATCHING lures, good is a understatement. I thru it for the first time on sunday as a throw back lure to a nice fish I had follow and on my second cast I hooked into it. I lost the fish to a jump at boatside. My next follow I thru the HELLCAT about 3 casts and hooked into the fish and landed it. Then today once the Sun was high and the water was calm, the fish shut off. So I pulled out the HELLCAT. BANG a fish hit and into the net comes a 51. I can't praise this lure enough. I thru a bulldawg as well to compare the lures and it wasn't even close, I prefer the HELLCAT way more. I tossed the Bulldawg for 2 casts and went back to the HELLCAT. This HELLCAT is very impressive. Its definitely a lure to give a chance.
Ok, so maybe I can't wait till october to get one. I need a good throw-back lure right now, cause I haven't been getting any of the return to fish. Things are really picking up down here, and got two Sunday when I was out. The big girls would go round and round but didn't really want to dance dirty.
Andrew; I know what you are talking about when you mention your experiences W/ the Hellkat. I had the opportunity to field test this bait 2 years ago. I wish I could take all the credit for the bait. Some of my suggestions were implemented such as bending the back upward on the lead kat, and bury the rear hook in plastic, then putting a bead of superglue to hold it in place. also a harder plastic,& thicker cut tail.
I think God designed this bait for LOTW's or any shallow structure you want to fish. Lets face it...the majority of water we fish for musky is less than 12 feet. The cork bait is my favorite. Slow fall and easy to work. Bulldawgs are a chore, compared to this Hellkat. I work these baits similar to a suick with slightly longer pulls. If it is shallow structure, this bait will move fish. This July, I could not put down the Hellkat, W/ the cool temps and fronts coming through. Stuck 8 ski's and a bunch of big pike on the Hellkat, with many musky missing the bait, coming clean out of the water. My Hellkats looked like chopped meat at the end of my trip. Bait weighs about 7.5oz. And with the thinner body, should allow for better hookups. I remember throwing this bait for the first time. When things were not happening, I picked up the Hellkat and they would come. Moved fish when other baits did NOT. Many fish WILL be caught on this plastic bait...Hang on!!!
JIM
Bulldawgs............Drool-Dogs.
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Hellkats
