Archive for category Product Review

Berkley Chigger Craw Product Review

Posted by Leo Cancilla in Lures, Product Review on December 17, 2009

Product Type: Crawfish – Soft Plastic

Tested Size(s): 3” and 4”

Tested Colors/Patterns: Black/Blue, Green Pumpkin, Green Pumpkin Party

MSRP: $3.49

First Impression: This craw has good profile with large claws. The Chigger Craw has the scent Berkley is known for.

FishPittsburgh Scorecard – Berkley Chigger Craw
Durability
Multiple fish can be caught on the same chigger craw, but watch those warm summer days because the claws seem to tear easier then.

Fish Appeal
The advantage to this craw bait is that it can be used on multiple methods: jig trailer, texas rig, Carolina rig, shaky head, and drop shot. The fish love this lure.

Special Traits
Unlike some craws the Berkley Chigger Craw has a ton of scent. Not just any scent, it is the Berkley Powerbait Scent that seems to drive fish crazy.

Price
The count size to the price is very reasonable. Add in the fact that you will more than likely catch multiple fish on each lure and it is a definite buy.

Diversity
I have caught fish on these lures on just about every body of water, every structure type, and every technique that I have tried with them. This lure is a winner.

Overall
Great overall Bait. See My Recommendations below

Mike Iaconelli shows you how he uses the Berkley Chigger Craw as jig trailer…Watch

Pros	Cons
Berkley Scent	Claws Tear Easily
Size Availability
Color Selection
Used in Multiple Techniques
Good Action

RECOMMENDATIONS: The first this I recommend is buying some of these great lures. Go with the colors that you are most confident in. You will find that these lures really work well in multiple situations. Personally, I have two methods that I really like. First, I love texas rigging these lures and flipping them into tight cover. No matter what stage of the spawn the bass are in and the time of year, I always managed to catch a couple pegging a ¼oz. bullet weight with a 3/0 hook and a size 4 chigger craw. I will recommend varying the size of your hook for different cover. My other favorite technique to use with the chigger craw is using it as a jig trailer. I have caught more bass on bass jigs with chigger craws as trailers that I have with regular jig trailers. They add bulk to the jig and don’t forget about the powerbait scent that is in them. Other techniques to try with the chigger craws include: using them on a shaky head jig, drop shot, and Carolina rig. The 3” version is especially good for the shaky head jig and drop shot method. Although the 4” bait is a little small and sinks it can still be effective on a Carolina rig. Don’t be afraid to try some of the different colors that Berkley makes. Go to www.berkley-fishing.com to find more tips and see which professional fishermen endorse this product.

ABOUT THE CRITIC : You must know that I am very critical of my lures. I only have about 3 lures that I use that would receive a perfect 50 and I personally modify those lures once I have them. I consider any lure over 40 great and any lure over 30 good. Anything less than 30 and you probably won’t see it in my tackle box.

Berkley, Berkley Chigger Craw, Carolina Rig, Chigger Craw, drop shot, Jig Trailer, Shaky Head, Texas Rig, www.berkley-fishing.com

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Cull-Buddy Culling System Review

Posted by Leo Cancilla in Accessories, Product Review on August 17, 2009

Cull-Buddy
Product Type	Culling System
Mounted	Livewell
Used With	Balanced Beam
MSRP	$35 + Shipping =$40.98

FishPittsburgh.com Score (1- Poor to 10 – Fantastic)
Category	Score	Notes
Durability/Strength	9	For any bass that you will be culling in the Pennsylvania water systems, the Cull-Buddy is strong enough and will handle the fish well. Up to 15 lbs per tag.
Mounting	8	This is the only area that I can see a flaw in the product. For most guys this may not make a difference, but I don’t like exposed bolt heads on top of the boat carpet. See notes below.
Culling Fish	10	Since the tag is through the fishes lip, it makes it easy to use a balance beam to cull fish.
Price	10	You get what you pay for when it comes to this product. It may be a little more expensive than other systems, but it is worth the money.
Availibility	8	Currently, the only place that I have found the product is the cull-buddy website, but they will have them to you in the matter of days.
Total	45/50	See Comments Below.

Cull-Buddy
Pros	Cons
Mounts on livewell lid.	Tag is through fishes lip.
Durable and strong.	Bolt through carpet and exposed.
Colored and numbered tags.
Can be used with any culling beam.
Keeps boat more organized.

NOTES: This is a great product based on a great idea. You tag fish and put them in the livewell, so why not mount the tags in the livewell. This helps keep the boat more organized and saves precious time when in a tournament. It saves time by you not looking for tags and being able to hook the tag onto the culling beam. As far as mounting is concerned, if you don’t mind seeing the 4 bolt heads on top of your carpet the livewell lid mount is great. I don’t truly have a solution to this problem besides mounting it inside a compartment. Which, mounting the system in the compartment will not help you save time on the water. By using this product I guarantee that you save time and become a more efficient tournament fisherman. Balance beam and scale are not included with the cull-buddy.

ABOUT THE CRITIC: You must know that I am very critical of my lures. I only have about 3 lures that I use that would receive a perfect 50 and I personally modify those lures once I have them. I consider any lure over 40 great and any lure over 30 good. Anything less than 30 and you probably won’t see it in my tackle box.

For more information visit the Cull-Buddy website: Cull-Buddy Website

bass fishing, cull-buddy, culling, product review, Tournament Fishing

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Berkley Powerbait Manic Shad Review

Posted by Leo Cancilla in Lures, Product Review on July 21, 2009

Berkley Powerbait Manic Shad
Product Type	Swimbait
Tested Size(s)	3”, 4”, 5”
Tested Colors/Patterns	Fathead, Firetiger, Smelt,
MSRP	$5.99

manic shad

FishPittsburgh.com Score (1- Poor to 10 – Fantastic)
Category	Score	Notes
Durability	9	Manic Shad is very durable because the soft plastic body is medium density. It is not easily torn and there are extra body in each pack.
“Fish Appeal”	7	I have experienced a lot of fish (Bass mostly) following the bait to the boat and then striking because of the action.
Special Traits	7	The rubber blade in the front of the lure gives it an unique action. This blade allows it to be easily adjusted.
Price	5	Because the lure is very durable and has a great action I believe that the price is very fair.
Diversity	5	Fish in the local rivers, ponds, and lakes have shown interest, but wind or current will mess with the lures action.
Total	33/50	See Comments Below.

RECOMMENDATIONS: First, if you purchase the manic shad, rig the lure with a barrel swivel about 8 inches up the line. This will help eliminate line twisting. Another thought is to use lighter line with the 3” versus a little heavier line for the 5” size. I like 8lb test for the 3” and I used 15lb test for the 5” size. Check your hooks before you start fishing because most of them are sharp but I found a couple that were slightly sharper than I like. Take a file and sharpen the hook and you will be ready to catch some fish.

Berkley Powerbait Manic Shad
Pros	Cons
Action is Unique	Line Twist
Durable	Lack of hook-ups
Color Selection	Inconsistent Hook Sharpness
Ability to be tuned
Size Availability

ABOUT THE CRITIC: You must know that I am very critical of my lures. I only have about 3 lures that I use that would receive a perfect 50 and I personally modify those lures once I have them. I consider any lure over 40 great and any lure over 30 good. Anything less than 30 and you probably won’t see it in my tackle box.