@reelChris Posted July 18, 2019 Posted July 18, 2019 A little more than a year ago when I was just starting to get into freshwater fishing, I made the unfortunate mistake of walking into a used gear store. I needed tackle to catch…something. I wasn’t certain where I'd fish or what for, nor did I really know anything about what worked and what didn’t. So, I ended up getting taken by the old fishing captain/store owner who was just looking to offload junk. Decently priced junk, but still mostly junk. One of the things he talked me into was this secret weedless wonder bait that was going to be produced for the inventor by a major tackle company until "their legal team decided that the lure might technically be considered a switch blade." As a result, the inventor gave up and sold all of his leftover stock to my store owner friend, who generously offered them to me at $5 each. The key to this lure’s “weedlessness” is that the hooks are held captive in the body by spring tension and, at least theoretically, pop out when the trigger plate is activated by fish jaws closing around it. In reality, the hooks typically spring out upon contact with water after even moderate length casts. But the worst part of this thing is that it has ABSOLUTELY NO ACTION WHATSEVER! I don’t even know what kind of bait its supposed to be. It looks like a crankbait but it doesn’t dive or swim. It basically comes straight through the water like a painted stick. You can’t jig it or jerk it, and it sinks, so its not a topwater either. It doesn't much matter, though, because the body is bass sized but the hooks are only really appropriate for pan fish. Ultimately, this thing’s only use is to remind me to avoid gimmicky junk only designed to catch fishermen. What’s the dumbest lure you’ve wasted time and money on? 2 9 Quote
GReb Posted July 19, 2019 Posted July 19, 2019 Based off my production of late I’d say every lure in my tackle box 3 3 Quote
Super User WRB Posted July 19, 2019 Super User Posted July 19, 2019 You do know that China doesn't issue patents and it's not a member country that honors US or international patents. That lure may take the prize, although Roland Martens Helicopter lure is up there with the Banjo Minnow. There are thousands of fishing lure patents that don't catch fish just fishermen. Tom 1 Quote
Super User Scott F Posted July 19, 2019 Super User Posted July 19, 2019 10 minutes ago, WRB said: You do know that China doesn't issue patents and it's not a member country that honors US or international patents. That lure may take the prize, although Roland Martens Helicopter lure is up there with the Banjo Minnow. There are thousands of fishing lure patents that don't catch fish just fishermen. Tom The only thing wrong with the Banjo Minnow was that it didn’t get any respect because of the TV ads. It does catch fish. What is wrong with nose hooking a minnow shaped, soft plastic bait? If it had been introduced and promoted on a TV fishing show like The In-Fisherman, and maybe if it had a different name, it might have been taken seriously. I know guys who did very well with them. 4 Quote
BassinCNY Posted July 19, 2019 Posted July 19, 2019 That is the coolest and most ridiculous lure I've ever seen. The story makes it even cooler. I've got so many questions. Who paid for the tooling? Did the prototypes work? Was it just a scheme to defraud investors? Wow. Quote
Super User WRB Posted July 19, 2019 Super User Posted July 19, 2019 25 minutes ago, Scott F said: The only thing wrong with the Banjo Minnow was that it didn’t get any respect because of the TV ads. It does catch fish. What is wrong with nose hooking a minnow shaped, soft plastic bait? If it had been introduced and promoted on a TV fishing show like The In-Fisherman, and maybe if it had a different name, it might have been taken seriously. I know guys who did very well with them. If you like the Banjo Minnow it's still being sold 110 piece kit for $20 Tom Quote
greentrout Posted July 19, 2019 Posted July 19, 2019 4 hours ago, Scott F said: The only thing wrong with the Banjo Minnow was that it didn’t get any respect because of the TV ads. It does catch fish. What is wrong with nose hooking a minnow shaped, soft plastic bait? If it had been introduced and promoted on a TV fishing show like The In-Fisherman, and maybe if it had a different name, it might have been taken seriously. I know guys who did very well with them. caught a lot of bass with the banjo minnow in ponds and small lakes ... b'day gift ... don't give a hoot what others think ... good fishing ... Quote
Super User J Francho Posted July 19, 2019 Super User Posted July 19, 2019 40 minutes ago, Scott F said: The only thing wrong with the Banjo Minnow was that it didn’t get any respect because of the TV ads. It does catch fish. What is wrong with nose hooking a minnow shaped, soft plastic bait? If it had been introduced and promoted on a TV fishing show like The In-Fisherman, and maybe if it had a different name, it might have been taken seriously. I know guys who did very well with them. The plastic minnows did catch, but the hooks were terrible. Capt. Ken that invented it also sells some very expensive frogs that use the same hook. They were all the rage a few years ago. Quote
Super User WRB Posted July 19, 2019 Super User Posted July 19, 2019 15 minutes ago, greentrout said: caught a lot of bass with the banjo lure in ponds and small lakes ... b'day gift ... don't give a hoot what others think ... good fishing ... 10 each Zoom Flukes $2.49, you get 20 Banjo Minnows the balance of the 110 pieces are cheap hooks and springs for $20. I was given a kit as a gift from non fisherman who don't know and get sucked in with commercial. Buy 50 Zoom Flukes, a bag of Hitchhiker springs and Mustad hooks, money ahead with quality products. Tom 1 Quote
jr231 Posted July 19, 2019 Posted July 19, 2019 True but banjo minnow isn't even comparable to the op. Cuz the banjo minnow caught fish. And like it or not, so did the helicopter lure. My ex's father lived In Alabama and has told me repeatedly about the bass he caught on those helicopter lures and he is dead serious... That thing in the OP isn't gonna catch anything... Ever. That homer Simpson could probably catch bass if it actually wobbles. I'd like to see someone post something that is actually comparable because the banjo minnow and helicopter lure are not this.. Maybe a brick, or a wacky rigged piece of pvc ?? 1 Quote
Super User Munkin Posted July 20, 2019 Super User Posted July 20, 2019 5 hours ago, A-Jay said: A-Jay Don't knock the Simpsons lure as I have a headless Bart Simpson lure that has caught some fish. Allen 1 Quote
Super User WRB Posted July 20, 2019 Super User Posted July 20, 2019 There are several good books on antique fishing lures worth reading like Fishing Lure Collectibles by Murphy and Edmisten.Back in the 1900's to around 1930 several weedless spring loaded hook lures were marketed that would be prior art negating patent claims for the lure design the OP posted. Tom Quote
Super User Raul Posted July 21, 2019 Super User Posted July 21, 2019 Heddon Cousin II I've even casted it into a sumberged mesquite tree to see if it atleast catch a friggin branch and get lost and wasn't able to do that ! 1 Quote
HenryPF Posted July 21, 2019 Posted July 21, 2019 Umm, they still sell it and I would never give mine up. http://www.hoverlure.com/ What makes this even more special? You have to PUT IT TOGETHER. Honorable mention: Bill Dance Dancing Eel. 1 Quote
AlTheFisherman313 Posted July 21, 2019 Posted July 21, 2019 Lunkerhunt prop fish is an awful, awful lure. Either I don’t know how to fish it, or it looks way better in the package. If anyone likes these I’m sorry, but it’s just not a good bait! I tried 2 colors thinking it was a solid option, looks like a fish, small prop and weedless, but for whatever reason nothing will touch it! Not even a pike! And that says a lot, I bet you could catch a pike on a hot wheels with a hook attached. Edit-I do believe they could catch a fish, but I’m done throwing the thing. could and can are two different things haha Quote
The Bassman Posted July 21, 2019 Posted July 21, 2019 1 hour ago, AlTheFisherman313 said: Lunkerhunt prop fish is an awful, awful lure. Either I don’t know how to fish it, or it looks way better in the package. If anyone likes these I’m sorry, but it’s just not a good bait! I tried 2 colors thinking it was a solid option, looks like a fish, small prop and weedless, but for whatever reason nothing will touch it! Not even a pike! And that says a lot, I bet you could catch a pike on a hot wheels with a hook attached. Edit-I do believe they could catch a fish, but I’m done throwing the thing. could and can are two different things haha Bought one of these last year and caught a few with it. Main problem is keeping the prop clean. One piece of grass and everything stops. Ploppers are the same way except you don't expect them to be weedless. Quote
bassh8er Posted July 21, 2019 Posted July 21, 2019 I’ve caught some nice bass on the Dancin’ Eel. Used to be one of my go to baits until I ran out of them. 1 Quote
Super User WRB Posted July 21, 2019 Super User Posted July 21, 2019 Every bass angler gets dupped buying lures. Admit it you have a few skeletons in the closet. When 3:16 lures started up I bought Mickey's Top Dawg swimbait and couldn't catch a cold with them or work any action into the lure. Looking for a big worm I bought Ring Worms Goliath worm sight unseen. Wow big doesn't come close to discribing the Goliath, needed my swimbait rod, 1 1/2 oz bullet with 11/0 hook to fish it and never had a bump using it. Anyone looking for a big 16" worm? Tom 1 Quote
5by3 Posted July 21, 2019 Posted July 21, 2019 That new spider lure they came out with at icast looks pretty dang bad! 1 Quote
AlTheFisherman313 Posted July 22, 2019 Posted July 22, 2019 9 hours ago, 5by3 said: That new spider lure they came out with at icast looks pretty dang bad! I’m not impressed with a lot of their baits, but the prop frog and their “thump” spinner bait both work exceptionally well. 16 hours ago, The Bassman said: Bought one of these last year and caught a few with it. Main problem is keeping the prop clean. One piece of grass and everything stops. Ploppers are the same way except you don't expect them to be weedless. Trust me that’s partially why I gave up on it. Figured oh I’ll buzz it by weeds, it stops buzzing and it’s a wasted cast. I think I rather just throw a frog and the retrieve I use with a frog doesn’t create the same effect obviously, but you can make a wake with a frog that’s on the more “silent” side, which is what I believe that prop was made to be like a minor buzz bait effect. Your absolutely right on ploppers getting stuck also, but that lure out right produces. Quote
airborneduckhunter Posted July 22, 2019 Posted July 22, 2019 I have caught fish on the Banjo Minnow and I honestly had one of my best topwater days with the Helicopter Lure. Bank fishing a 3 ac. pond with lily pads all around. caught them on top through the pads and letting it helicopter down in the open holes. Seriously though, that "lure" in the OP is wild looking. Hate you got caught. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted July 22, 2019 Super User Posted July 22, 2019 I fished from shore with a friend from work. He was all in on the Flying Lure. We both caught that day. Quote
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