Tips & Techniques
Introducing the MPack Jig |
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January, 2010
By Tom Redington
Lake Fork is a great proving ground for jigs. With an ample supply of
heavy timber, thick grass, and monster bass, inferior jigs quickly get
snagged or lose fish. In his long career as a fishing guide and tournament
pro, Mark Pack has never stopped in his quest for the perfect jig. With
the introduction of the all new MPack Jig from Lake Fork Trophy Lures, he
believes his search for the ultimate flipping jig is finally over. After
using the MPack jig for over 6 months now, I can attest that it will pull
big bass from the nastiest of cover and it looks great while doing it.
For the new jig, Mark started with a new head design that is wider than it
is tall. These broad shoulders keep the jig out of snags by following the
path of least resistance through cover. At the same time, the head design
forces the jig to turn over during hook sets. This produces bass that are
hooked in the roof of the mouth instead of in the side of the mouth where
they can easily tear loose.
In conjunction with the new head design, the MPack Jig sports the finest
jig hook Mark has found. This beefy Gamakatsu hook is made of high
tempered steel that resists flexing. Inferior hooks flex under the strain
of hard hook sets, consequently missing a lot of fish while dragging
across the roof of bass’ mouth instead of penetrating. The rigid MPack Jig
hook stands its ground and penetrates immediately, delivering a very high
strike to catch ratio, especially on big fish that cause weak hooks to
flex.
While the head and hook make the MPack Jig functional, the paint job and
skirt make it a knockout in the looks department too. The jighead is power
coated with new Illusion paint. Power coating ensures that the paint won’t
chip off during its travels through the bass’ lair. Meanwhile, the colors
of the innovative Illusion paint change colors in different lighting
environments, thereby giving fish an ever-changing chameleon type look.
Lake Fork Trophy Lures completes the jigs’ ensemble with 13 premium skirts
for all water colors, with a splash of tinsel in each one to provide a
highlight of flash and contrast.
Finally, the MPack Jig is completed with a couple of small features that
make the lure easy to use. All 4 sizes (¼, 3/8, ½, and ¾ oz) come with an
oversized skirt collar to keep the skirt up top. Furthermore, a well
designed trailer keeper holds creature baits and Fork Craws securely in
place. These often overlooked features keeps the skirt and trailer orderly
no matter how many fish you catch or where you pitch it, allowing you to
fire right back into your hot spot instead of constantly having to redress
your jig. Just a couple more features that make an already good jig become
great.
With spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start
pitching these jigs to stumps and grass near spawning areas in pursuit of
lunker bass. I dress my MPack Jigs with a matching Fork Craw or Hyper
Freak trailer, depending on the mood of the bass. You need big gear to
pull these fish out consistently, so a heavy action 7’3” Dobyns 736C rod
is stout enough to handle the fish, yet well balanced so it feels like a
feather in your hand. Finally, spool up with 20 to 25 lb FluoroHybrid Pro
for a line that is as tough, sensitive, and clear as fluorocarbon but as
easy handling as mono, and you’ll be ready to rumble in the bass’ jungle.
Give the new MPack Jig a try this spring on your favorite lake and you
might just come away with the bass of a lifetime. If I can be of
assistance, please contact me at 214-683-9572 or e-mail me through my
website,
www.LakeForkGuideTrips.com.
Tom Redington is a full time bass guide on Lake Fork & a FLW Tour pro.
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