New lures from Fox Rage
If you’re targeting pike, perch or zander this winter, it’s odds-on that you already own a few Fox Rage and Salmo items. After all, the brands cover every conceivable tackle requirement for the serious predator angler.
Since its launch here in the UK, Rage has firmly installed itself as the market leader and this year have added to their expanding range with more must-have terminal tackle and lures, and the rods and reels to go with them.
With Salmo releasing several exciting new lure patterns too, we headed to their Essex HQ to find out more about the kit hitting the shops now...
1) RAGE REALISTIC REPLICANT TROUT & PERCH
THE Fox Rage Replicant family has been further expanded with two incredible new additions. The Replicant Trout, with highly realistic detailing, delivers a swimming action irresistible to predators. Key features include a belly hook rotation system to maintain hook holds. In four sizes – 10cm/20g, 14cm/55g, 18cm/90g and 23cm/155g. The Replicant Perch sees the brilliant characteristics of one of the most successful swimbaits of all time worked into a perch format. The lure uses a super rip-resistant body material and features the proven Replicant swimming action. In three sizes – 10cm/20g, 14cm/55g and 18cm/85g.
2) RAGE CRITTERS
Fox Rage Critters in a range of colours and sizes deliver a crayfish imitation with real predator appeal. Fish them on jigheads, weedlessly Texas-style, or any other way the fish want them.
They feature multiple appendages, including uniquely shaped front claws, and have hook slots for completely weedless rigging. In three colours – Ultra Violet Dark Oil, Lemon Tiger and Natural – and a choice of 7cm and 9cm size.
3) SALMO SQUAREBILL 6CM
THIS is a deep-bodied floating crankbait with a square lip designed to deflect the lure over bottom snags. Its new, larger 6cm size is perfect for all freshwater predators. An extremely durable body helps it to withstand damage from underwater structures.
4) SALMO SLIDER 16CM
A LARGER, limited edition version of the legendary Slider, perfect for big predators. This 16cm sinking version is perfectly suited to heavy-duty casting and trolling.
5) SALMO PIKE FLOATING 9CM
THIS classic Salmo crankbait with an incredible action is now available in a smaller 9cm length. In Hot Pike and Pike colours, its floating body is perfect for shallow running from 0.5m down to 1m.
Tronix HTO Soft Lures
PAY AROUND
£1.99 per pack
Cutting edge Mace, Flail, Excalibur, Leethal, Tiny, Bug-Ga and Paddle Bug patterns offer a number of rigging options for various fish species.
Designed for UK anglers, by UK anglers, the Mace pattern’s thin tail section came about as a direct result of watching perch ‘inhale’ lures rather than bite at them. It simply folds up when a fish sucks the lure in.
Fox Rage Spiky Shad Lures
PAY AROUND
£5.99 for a pack of three. A 90cm version is sold seperately for 60p.
The Spikey Shad from Fox Rage is now available in a smaller version, perfect for anglers wanting to scale down to tempt predators.
The hundreds of tiny spikes around its body generate micro-vibrations in the water, attracting the attention of anything with teeth.
They also act like a parachute, slowing the lure’s descent so it stays in front of a predator for longer.
The spoon tail adds to its vibration and movement.
As the lure has a soft, natural feel, when a predator grabs it they don’t immediately try and spit it out, giving you vital extra seconds to set the hook.
Spikey Shads come pre-loaded on to a quality jighead in two weights (10g and 15g) and 10 hot shades.
Westin lures
PAY AROUND
£17.70
The hunter becomes the hunted thanks to these wickedly flexible lifelike lures produced by Scandinavian predator specialist Westin.
Percy the Perch, Mike the Pike and Tommy the Trout have a seductive swimming action that attracts big predators from far and wide.
Up close, the fluttering fins are more than instinct can stand, and the predators can’t help but strike!
These may seem alien to the tiny lures used for catching perch on canals, but these lead-free imitations have already been tested in the UK and caught plenty of fish.
Underwater footage of the lures in action can be viewed on YouTube – search for Underwaterireland. They are available from www.pecheur.com
Z-Man lures
PAY AROUND
£4.49
These new Z-Man lures from the US are becoming popular here in the UK thanks to their fish-catching qualities, as lure fishing ace Paul Parnell showed when he used them to land a dozen 3lb-plus perch from Pitsford Reservoir.
The lures are made from Elaztech and are said to be 10 times tougher than normal plastic, so they won’t be destroyed by numerous pike attacks.
All are suited to jigging or drop shotting. Jigheads for the lures,and a smear-on Predator Gel, are also available.
Fox Rage Mini and Micro Snax
PAY AROUND
£4.99
These Fox Rage Mini and Micro Snax are ideal for all predatory fish. The 7cm Mini Fry imitations with hammer tails come in a pack of five chompable colours.
Ideal for use with a light jig head or on a drop shot rig, they are outstanding little lures for large perch, especially on canals.
The irresistible little brother to the Mini, the 4cm long Micro fry comes in five exciting colour shades and contains real fish oil for added appeal. Five to a pack.
AGM Dishoso 4ins Umishi Worm
PAY AROUND
£3.85
Custom made by Dishoso in the USA, the super soft plastic and slim, tapering tail makes the Umishi Worm a superb drop shot lure. Tiny twitches of the line will give them a shimmering, lifelike action. They are also very effective when fished weightless with a wide gape hook.
You can also rig them on a jig head, when either a jerky retrieve in midwater or crawling them along the bottom will produce fish. Visually stunning, they look as good any soft plastic lure available. Seven per pack.
AGM Dekoj 2.5ins Baby Bream Shad
PAY AROUND
£2.75
Another hand-poured lure custom made for AGM by Dekoj of Slovakia, the Baby Bream Shad is a super-realistic baitfish imitation with a supple, flexible body, striking 3D eyes and scale/gill details. Whether used on a drop shot rig or jig head, this lifelike lure is a pure predator magnet. Five per pack.
AGM Dekoj 3ins Swordtail
PAY AROUND
£3.25
These premium quality, hand-poured lures, are custom-made for AGM by Dekoj of Slovakia. The body features a scale pattern and big 3D eyes, which give them a lifelike appearance.
The head of each lure is dipped in a clear plastic, to ensure that the eyes stay firmly in place, while the extra-long, thin tail provides plenty of action, reacting to even the smallest twitch of the rod-tip. The Swordtail will catch its fair share of fish when rigged on a jig head, but really comes to life when used on a drop shot rig. Six per pack.
Browning Quantum Specialist Drop Shot Lure - Crawling Jack
PAY AROUND
£4.25-£6.25
This double-tailed twister flounders wildly in the water, and two sickle-shaped lateral arms drive fish into an attack frenzy. Said to be ideal for perch, pike and zander, these bizarre crayfish imitations come in two sizes and eight colours.
Browning Quantum Specialist Drop Shot Lure - Sneaky Shad
PAY AROUND
£6.85
This realistic lure features an integral hook and weight in the head that ensures it makes no noise on hitting the bottom. Such a ‘stealth’ approach alleviates the suspicious of wily predators on heavily fished waters.
Browning Quantum Specialist Drop Shot Lure - Dangler
PAY AROUND
£4.99
This brilliant small-finned shad can be used in conjunction with light jig heads as well as for ordinary drop shotting. It has a proven track record, especially in summer, when juvenile fish are on the move.
Browning Quantum Specialist Drop Shot Lure - Slendry
PAY AROUND
£5.75-£5.99
Made from an extremely soft plastic, this lure features holographic eyes, a glitter effect body, and a split tail movement, as well as a natural fish scale pattern that is a magnet to predators.
Browning Quantum Specialist Drop Shot Lure - Smelt Shad
PAY AROUND
£3.95-£8.95
This innovative rubber fish is designed to imitate a smelt. Even the fins match those of the fish, with the dorsal folding tantalisingly up and down with a slight pull on the line. Surprisingly stable when cast, the lures come in four sizes and seven colours.
Browning Quantum Specialist Drop Shot Lure - Ari’s Pin
PAY AROUND
£4.65
These pin tails come in three sizes and seven colours. Their long tapering tail is said to emit erratic impulses as the lure is moved. It is proved to be very successful on rivers, and its unique body shape leaves the hookpoint exposed at all times.
Fox Rage Loaded Zander Pro Shad and Loaded Mini Fry
PAY AROUND
Loaded Zander Pro Shad £5.99
Loaded Mini Fry (pack of four) £5.99
The popularity of predator fishing with soft plastic lures is growing at breakneck speed, and these latest offerings from Rage are sure to prove deadly for pike, perch and zander.
The 10cm and 12cm loaded Zander Pro Shads, with a choice of 10g or 12g jig heads and perfectly placed barbed single hooks, are ideal for targeting bigger fish from rivers and lakes. They can be worked from the bank sink-and-draw style to imitate a wounded fish.
The loaded 7cm Mini Fry come in four colour choices. Fished on a 5g jig head they can be vertically jerked and retrieved, or alternatively presented on a drop shot rig, where their hammer-shaped tails have proved irresistible to big perch on canals.
Korum Snapper Double-Hard Deep Minnow Lures
PAY AROUND
7cm £5.49 10cm £5.99
This superb diving lure will bring you into contact with the deepest lying fish. It is ideal for faster retrieves through the depths, but can also be worked shallow due to its gentle buoyancy build, which also means you can allow the lure hang suspended in front of fish momentarily. Constructed with an aggressive minnow profile, it has a deep diving lip, semi-buoyant body, premium grade black nickel hooks and a built in fish attracting rattle. It also comes in two sizes 7cm and 10cm, two casting weights 8g and 15g, as well as two colour variations Silverfish and Fire Tiger.
Korum Snapper Double-Hard Mid-Water Shad Lures
PAY AROUND
7cm £5.49 10cm £5.99
This mid-depth diving Shad pattern flicks and rolls just like a wounded fish. You can crank it down to the strike zone or simply let it float up away from snags or weed. Its fish-like shape lends itself to casting much better than most traditional Shad patterns, allowing you to put this lure exactly where you want it. Constructed with a mid-depth diving lip and buoyant body, it boasts premium quality black nickel hooks, as well as having a fish attracting built-in rattle. It comes in two sizes 7cm and 10cm, two casting weights 8g and 15g, as well as two colour variations Fire Tiger and Silverfish.
Korum Snapper Double-Hard Shallow Bug Lures
PAY AROUND
5cm £4.99 7cm £5.49
This is a great multi-purpose lure. Constructed with a shallow diving lip, buoyant body and fish attracting rattle which is ideal for use in all types of snaggy waters. By pausing the retrieve- the lure can be made to float to the surface and up and over the top of any snags preventing lure loss, as well as increasing its ability to work every inch of the swim. Also by holding the rod tip high it can be worked across the water’s surface. It comes in two sizes 5cm and 7cm, two casting weights 8g and 15g, as well as two colour variations Silverfish and Fire Tiger.
Fox Rage Fish Snax Micro Tiddlers and Micro Fry lures
PAY AROUND
£4.99 per pack
Fox Rage’s new Micro Tiddlers and Micro Fry are set to become some of the ‘must have’ lures for all predator anglers.
The Tiddlers range has two patterns – the Tiddlers Slow, Tiddler Fast and is only a tiny 5cm long. Both Fast and Slow has five colour variants.
The Micro Fry lure is also perfect for ultralight lure fishing and is the little brother of the popular Mini Fry range. These also come in five colour variants.