Massachusetts’s Lead Alterative By Billy "Hawkeye" Decoteau Massachusetts’s anglers may have to eliminate the lead weights (Under 1 oz!) including jigs from their tackle boxes. But, thanks to Bobby Uhrig’s Mega Strike Evolution Jigs, they have an alternative jig available! “The ‘Lead Law’ issue has been around for awhile, so in 2006 we developed a jig Bass Anglers could utilize in place of the...ir lead jigs,” says Uhrig. Megs Strikes efforts did not go unnoticed. Utilizing an advanced Skirt forward scientific approach coupled with natural scaled silicone shirt material, the Evolution ‘Lead Free’ Finesse Plus jig was eagerly accepted by environmentalist. “In 2006 Mega Strike received the prestigious ICAST “Best Hard Lure” award for the development of what has come to be one of the most innovative Jigs built to date,” proudly echo’s Uhrig. Mega Strike’s Evolution Finesse Jig incorporates only the finest materials available. A round bend Gamakatsu thin wire hook for superb hook sets, protected by a virtually invisible Seaguar Fluorocarbon weed guard hidden behind the skirt, adds to Uhrig’s ingenious design. “The Evolution Jig has a recessed molded hook eye, which in turns protects an anglers knot from being rubbed against rocks and other forms of cover,” adds Uhrig. A multi-ring trailer keeper assures anglers their choice of trailers will stay in place with every cast. While, a hydro dynamically balanced profile guarantees a stand-up defensive crawfish posture on just about every cast. One other aspect of Uhrig’s Evolution Jig that is imperative for jig anglers to consider in their presentation when working a Mega Strike Evolution Jig is his patent pending small profile flaring disc attached to the bottom skid plate. “When it comes to proper jig presentation, more often than not anglers over work their jigs,” says Uhrig. Bobby Uhrig suggests anglers only utilize the rod tip by raising and lowering it ever so slightly. “The Evolution Jig’s skid plate is in constant contact with the bottom, unless of course a bass has inhaled it on the fall. This in turn telegraphs up the line and down the rod the type of bottom. As a anglers becomes more familiar with reading the bottom, they will be able to determine if their jig is in grass, sand, rocks, shell beds, etc.” Bobby Uhrig instructs anglers to keep a semi-slack line when working the Evolution Jig. “The natural flaring action of the skirt paired with the stand-up defensive posture of a crawfish, while sitting on the skid plate responds to every minute movement of the rod tip. The key to making the correct jig presentation is ‘SLOW…. and Natural!” As the fishing industry bounces back and forth with individual state regulations pertaining to environmental lead laws, especially involving jigs and weights, Mega Strike’s Lead Free Evolution Jigs continues to outdistance their competitors in a fishing world Going Green! “There is no doubt our lead free Evolution Jig is the first real innovative jig design to come along in over forty-years.” Adding Uhrig says, “Mega Strike is extremely proud to have incorporated a lead free component into our line of Evolution Jigs!” Bobby Uhrig’s Mega Strike Company’s environmentally friendly jig coupled with his scientific approach to designing lures has grown into an international highly respected lure company. “Today we offer anglers around the world a wide variety of soft and hard baits, along with four fish attractants. Our Original, Garlic, Pike and our newly developed crawfish scent,” informs Uhrig. Uhrig’s approach to product Research and Development is based upon scientific and actual underwater surveillance. Compiling huge filming files as he studies the everyday life cycle of the Black Bass. “When Mega Strike presents the angling world with a new product, we know for certain our product will excel as a perfectly balanced lure, represent an actual specific forage base, and one of the most important aspects of all our Mega Strike products, they will entice bass to eat them!” “We take into consideration how a bait reacts when anglers move their rod tip, as well as the natural movements and defensive postures taken on by every forage base we are mimicking,” says Uhrig. Enlightening me to his underwater research, Uhrig explained how during Mega Strikes filming of bass attacking Spinnerbaits their conclusion resulted in a 90% attack from the side and only a 10% attack from the rear. “Reviewing our footage in extremely slow motion, bass would begin to inhale a spinnerbait when they came to within approximately twelve inches of the bait. When approaching from the rear, bass inhaled the hook resulting in solid hook-ups. However, when attacking from the side, which is 90% of the time, the hook-up ratio dropped tremendously.” Spinnerbaits are by far one of the most commonly thrown baits by bass anglers. Their inherent weedless design, ability to be retrieved at ultra-fast to pain-staking slow methodical bottom crawling retrieves, make Spinnerbaits extremely versatile must have bass baits! “One major draw back with Spinnerbaits always seems to revolve around lost fish,” says Uhrig. Adding, “Without a rotating pivot point, bass especially leaping smallmouth bass have the ability to throw a Spinnerbait!” Pausing for a moment Bobby Uhrig continued, “Another reason is the lack of solid hook-ups.” Elaborating further Bobby Uhrig explained, during this initial attack several factors came into play, which explained why so many anglers fail to get solid hook-ups. “While the spinnerbait is moving forward on the retrieve, a bass has to not only catch-up with the bait, but also inhale the entire bait as a single unit. This action turns the bait only slightly towards the bass, resulting in what we have been calling short strikes. Bottom line anglers are actually losing more bass than they realize!” “At Mega Strike we constantly strive for positive gradual development of our products, changing the ordinary into a more complex scientific approach for better products,” states Bobby Uhrig President of Mega Strike. In an effort to increase the hook-up ratio for Spinnerbaits, Uhrig and his Mega Strike team developed a jointed mid-section allowing their 5/0 Mustad Ultra Point hook to move side-to-side180 degrees. “Now when a bass inhales our Strike Back Spinnerbait, the hook is the first part inhaled into their mouth.” Mega Strike ‘Strike Back’ Spinnerbaits stationary head with its skirted moving hook section increases the vibrating action detected by the lateral line of bass. While, shiny jewel quality faceted blades give off a hologram flashing effect, signaling that of baitfish. For additional information on all of the Mega Strike products log unto www.MegaStrikeFishingProducts.com God Bless and Best Bassin Woods and Waters USA Office: 1.413.467.9982 www.woodsandwatersusa.com www.BassBureau.com Column: THE BASS BUREAU
