Jackall Chop Cut Jr. Review

[RRocket]

Disclosure: I do not own nor fish hardbaits in any noteworthy manner. My ownership consists of a couple Whopper Plopper-like clones for pike fishing. I also have a Yo-Zuri Snap Bean I'm fond of. A Jackall Micro Tappy. And my nostalgic favorite, the Rebel Crickhopper. Where I fish, the window here for non-topwater hardbaits is small. Partly owing to my minimalist style, I couldn't justify the expense of having an extensive hardbait collection.

 

But I LOVE hardbaits. The designs. The paintwork. The attention to detail. Their specialness compared to plastics.  So I was THRILLED to be gifted a Jackall Chop Cut Jr. for my 52nd birthday today! I frowned, initially, because I know what these cost here. $40+ And it is well known that I do not like expensive gifts (or baits! ). But I was assured it was purchased on clearance for "less than $20".

 

This is a spectacular looking bait! Full stop. I do not include my own photographs because my skills are insufficient to do this bait justice. First, the paint. The color of called Black White Bone. Indeed, it does look black. But it's not. Under the light, it's a deep purple. And under that, you can see a type of ghost scale. It's beautiful. I have my doubts the fish care about any of this! 

 

Other details? The eyes are big and crystal clear. Very deep colored. The hardware is all top notch. The prop design is so unique looking. The anti-tangle line tie i mechanism is also interesting and seems to live up to its promise. The hook in the belly has a tuft of feathers and is on a swiveling system. The body looks like a crankbait, but instead the body is laid down and fished on its side. That is to say one eye is looking into the sky and the other down into the water.

 

Well it's winter here with ice coverage. But I HAD to throw it just to see. I went to one of my pike haunts but sadly the ice coverage reached the shore. But I did find a window after some looking around further up the shore.

 

It floats completely and it's shocking how easily the prop turns. It turns far more effortlessly than either a plopper or buzzbait. Just nosing it into current had the prop spinning. It's quite loud! You can retrieve as slow as you want to mimic a plopper sound. Speed it up and the tone changes to something closer to a buzzbait, but still different. It also spits and spurts water. With the sound and chopping, it's hard to imagine this won't be easily noticed by fish. Will they bite it? Time will tell.

 

All in all, just another beautiful hard bait. I just looked at it for a long while whilst drinking my coffee. I truly understand the devotees of hardbaits.

 

There's just something about them.

 

Would love one in the Blue Gill color. Follow this link for better photographs

https://www.jackall.co.jp/bass/products/lure/top-water/chopcut-jr/?wovn=en

 

[NorthernBasser]

Nice write-up. Nice looking bait. I've seen the regular size version with 2 hooks. I didn't know there was a Jr.

 

How solid do the blades feel? I'm just picturing a bass getting the whole thing in it's mouth, closing it's mouth, and then setting the hook. I wonder if the blades would bend at all.

 

Let's us know how it goes once you get a chance to fish it.

[RRocket]

1 hour ago, NorthernBasser said:

Nice write-up. Nice looking bait. I've seen the regular size version with 2 hooks. I didn't know there was a Jr.

 

How solid do the blades feel? I'm just picturing a bass getting the whole thing in it's mouth, closing it's mouth, and then setting the hook. I wonder if the blades would bend at all.

 

Let's us know how it goes once you get a chance to fish it.

This also has a second hook on the back. Not sure why it's not shown in photos? 

 

Prop is rather thick.

 

Can't imagine it bending. It feels more substantial than a buzzbait blade.

[Terry_]

@RRocket Nice review! You should do this more often!

[RRocket]

8 hours ago, Vantage Tackle said:

@RRocket Nice review! You should do this more often!

I do some ultra light JDM plastic/lure/tackle reviews with photos, weights, etc.  from time to time here. Admittedly, a bit niche.

 

Thanks for the kind words.