Bobby Garland 3-Inch Slab Slayer
More and more crappie anglers are thinking big when it comes to catching fat slabs these days. The new Bobby Garland 3-inch Slab Slay’R is made for the job. Until now, the Slab Slay’R was only available in a 2-inch size. While the traditional-size version has proven its worth among the country’s most successful crappie anglers, they have continued to ask for a larger model because of the growing trend in crappie fishing that “bigger is better.” The Slab Slay’R features a ribbed solid body that is approximately 1 inch long. The rest of the bait is a thin, concave spear-point tail. The tail is the “life” of the lure, giving it a subtle quivering action, even at rest, as well as an erratic fall on every descent. The 3-inch Slab Slay’R is available in more than 15 colors, including Electric Chicken and Cajun Cricket. A 10-count bag retails for about $3.25. www.BobbyGarlandCustomBait.com




Bobby Garland Baby Shad
While the Baby Shad in Electric Chicken color continues to be somewhat of a crappie-catching phenomenon all across the country, there are some other new colors in this popular 2-inch bait that are creating a large following of their own. If you were in a debate over the top colors for 2008, Black Gum, Green Tomato and Cajun Cricket would all be in the mix. A poll of anglers would definitely find the Cajun Cricket to be the most valuable color for 2008. Ironically, the top forecasters — the folks at Armstrong Cricket Farm in West Monroe, La. — sell millions of live crickets and Bobby Garland lures each year. “Although we think it’s really going to shine in the spring months, the Baby Shad in Cajun Cricket color is flying out the door because it’s catching fish right now,” said owner Jim Armstrong.
The Baby Shad lures are available in more than 30 colors, including 10 new hues. There are 18 baits packaged in a bag that sells for $2.79.
www.BobbyGarlandCustomBait.com



Culprit Paddle Tail Minnow
The 21⁄2-inch Paddle Tail Minnow has a terrific kicking tail, detailed scaling and a perfectly balanced body design. The small action soft plastic is one of five unique soft-plastic lures designed by Culprit for catching crappie and other panfish. Anglers can confound the crappie with a multitude of options that come in 12-count clam packs and six colors that include Black Shad, Chartreuse Shad, Ice Blue Shad, White, Firecracker and Chartreuse Silver Flake. www.luresonline.com




Lobina Lures Westys Worms
Westys double-hook worms have been a staple in Western tackle boxes for more than 30 years. Western anglers accustomed to fishing in clear, desolate desert reservoirs rely on Westys to make every strike count. Whether suspended or just finicky, no fish escapes a Westys. The Integrated Westys is designed with extra strength, durability and beauty to enhance the features that have made it a favorite for decades. Integrated inside the 5-inch worm is a wire linked to a 1⁄8-ounce jighead and stinger hook. As an alternative to the traditional Superfloat Series, the Pro Series offers natural solid and laminate colors in standard plastic. Fish by casting out, letting your line go slack, then follow with a lift and fall or dragging retrieve. Set the hook by keeping a tight line and reeling in. www.lobinalures.com

Vertical Lures Jig X
The Jig X is touted as the most weedless and structure-free jig design on the market. This was achieved by placing the eye of the hook in an undercut at the back of the jighead. The positioning is critical to placing the knot where it is naturally protected by the belly of the jig itself. The line runs through a Teflon-protected tunnel down the center of the jighead, allowing both the knot and the knot tag to be completely protected and free from contact regardless of the type of cover being fished. The Jig X is also available in the popular “football style” and with five weight options and five colors to choose from. The 1⁄4-ounce Jig X is a must have for your crappie-fishing arsenal. Visit the company’s website for a live demo.  www.verticallures.com

Blakemore Crappie Thunder in Electric Chicken
While the typical Electric Chicken color is a chartreuse top with a pink bottom, the Blakemore Crappie Thunder version of the popular color choice is pink with a chartreuse tail for maximum contrast. The lure is definitely not your ordinary chicken. The color addition to the Crappie Thunder line will be offered in the 1⁄16-ounce lures, with replacement tails offered in the 12-count boxes. Crappie Thunder twin packs retail for less than $4, while the individual baits on the strip cards typically sell for less than $2 each. The 12-count replacement bodies retail for less than $4 each. www.blakemorelures.com




Optimum Tiny Banzai Hog
The Tiny Banzai Hog from Optimum Bait Company can be fished on a jig trailer, Texas-style or in a drop-shot presentation. As the bait falls, the front arms will rise in a banzai position, creating vibration. The back wings will span out, moving lots of water. This also slows the bait down so it will stay in the strike zone longer. The embedded rabbit hair will stand up and act as a teaser by undulating naturally, triggering the fish to strike. The Banzai Hog comes in 10 colors, is 2 inches in length and retails for $4.99.
www.optimumbaits.com