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Fall 2023
Weighing one-quarter ounce, the down-sized Yamatanuki casts easily on a spinning outfit and even with a light baitcaster. Probably the most efficient rig will prove to be a 7-foot spinning rod with a 2500 size reel spooled with 12-pound braid topped with 8- to 10-pound test fluorocarbon.
Like its big brother, the 2.5” version has a hook slot that provides snag resistance while reducing the need for a heavy wire hook that requires heavy line and stiff rods to achieve a good hookset.
My ideal hook for rigging is a Gamakatsu 2/0 or 3/0 G-lock hook, both because of the wide gap on a short shank. Another option is a 3/0 Gamakatsu G-Finesse Hybrid Worm Hook.
Also be sure to rig the Yamatanuki on a Ned Head, like the Gamakatsu Finesse Jig Head. Fished on a Carolina-rig is also effective as it imitates a sculpin or crawfish moving across the bottom.
No need to fear ultra-clear water now that you can power-finesse with the 2.5” in eight different colors (packed 10 to a bag).
SCOPE SHAD A MUST-HAVE FOR FORWARD FACING
The new Scope Shad was designed primarily as the perfect tool when using forward-facing sonar, though
it will find favor with multiple finesse applications. A new trend is to use specially designed jig heads on minnow style baits that will show easily on the forward- facing sonar. The Buckeye Scope Head jig was specially created to pair with the Yamamoto Scope Shad and was designed to keep the Scope Shad in a horizontal position while providing more metal down the length of the bait that produces stronger live sonar returns.
This versatile bait is also deadly on a dropshot rig fished on a spinning rod. Fished with 5- to-6-pound test fluorocarbon line tied to a #2 or #4 Gamakatsu G-Finesse Dropshot Hook and a QuickDrops teardrop dropshot weight will fool even the most highly pressured bass.
It is also perfect for use on an underspin or a round head jig. Rigged on a Ned head the Mega Floater plastic allows the Scope Shad to stand on its head and wiggle the split tail with the slightest of movement.
I am especially excited by the new Scope Shad because it is as real as it gets in clear water for imitating an easy baitfish meal where other lures will fail to draw a strike.
The Scope Shad is shaped like a minnow and is three-inches long. It is made of Yamamoto’s recently
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