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Early to Mid Fall: Finding Bass in Transition
As early fall arrives and water temperatures begin to drop into the mid-60s, both largemouth and smallmouth bass enter a transitional phase. Weed lines begin to decay, baitfish begin to roam, and bass become scattered.  In these conditions, locating fish is half the battle.
Utilize side imaging to scan expansive flats, points, and remaining green vegetation. Mapping tools—both pre-loaded lake charts and live mapping can help pinpoint high-percentage areas such as isolated rock, submerged wood, or the inside edges of grass lines which can be absolute fish magnets. 
Bass may be anywhere from 3 to 30 feet deep depending on forage and cover, so be prepared to adjust. As water temperatures cool further into the high 50s, fish location becomes more predictable, especially where weed beds thin and bait consolidates.


Tactical Options: Yo-Zuri Tools for Every Depth and Mood
Yo-Zuri’s lineup offers versatile and effective options for this dynamic season. For covering water, the Yo-Zuri 3DB Deep Crank (Citrus Shad or Prism Baby Bass) is ideal for reaching fish suspended along deeper breaks or bluff edges. In shallow water, the 3DB Squarebill (Real Bluegill or Sexy Shad) excels in deflecting off cover, while the 3DB Wake Prop (Bone or Black) draws reaction bites over grass and wood in less than 3 feet of water.




For finesse presentations on those cool mornings, tie a drop shot rig with a natural-colored bait like smoke or green pumpkin and pair it with 8-10lb Yo-Zuri SuperBraid 9 and SuperFlouro in 6–8 lb for low visibility, excellent sensitivity, and long reaching casts.



Ned rigs also shine especially on rock flats and transition zone rigged on 1/10–1/8 oz heads just dragging, hopping, or strolling.
In the fall period, bass will often target the largest bait available.  Don’t overlook soft-bodied paddle tail swimbaits in the 4-6 inch range on 1/4-3/4 oz heads, especially around weed edges and secondary points.  Run the same braid/flouro program as the drop shot, but step up to braid to 15-20lb, and the leader starting at 12lb. This combination will give you confidence to fish from shallow to deep.   


The Topwater Connection: Capitalizing on Late-Day Heat
Topwater isn’t just a summer game. In fall, particularly in the 55–65°F range, topwater lures can trigger explosive strikes.  Often conditions become more favorable late in the day when the sun at its hottest. As the sun warms shallow coves and flats, baitfish move up, bringing bass with them.  This is a great time to fire up the topwater program. 
The Yo-Zuri 3DB Pencil (Bone or Prism Shad) remains a fall favorite. Its walk-the-dog action mimics injured baitfish, and it excels over submerged grass, shallow rocks, and open water.
Keep your eyes open - diving gulls or surface disturbances often point to feeding schools. It’s a great time for the long-casting Yo-Zuri Pro Series 110 MID (Matte Ghost Pearl Shad or Natural Ayu) or 3DB Twitchbait (Bone or Real Bluegill) which fishes masterfully sub-surface. These lures shine when fish are keyed in on crushing forage, but they don’t want to fully commit to breaking the water’s surface.












It's true that any time is a good time to be fishing, however fall is a season of change and great opportunity to catch outsized bass, and numbers of fish.
With the right tools at your disposal, a strategic approach, and a sharp eye for signs of life, both largemouth and smallmouth bass can be targeted successfully from fall transition right to ice up.



Will Nalley
 

Pro Series- Yo-Zuri is proud to introduce the brand-new Pro Series — a lineup of four expertly crafted baits designed to give anglers every advantage in their pursuit of bass. The Pro Series includes two unique jerkbait styles, a shad, a glidebait, and a popper, giving anglers the versatility to adapt to any condition. Whether you’re fishing deep structure, targeting aggressive topwater strikes, or enticing suspended bass, each bait is built with a focus on performance, realism, and durability.

                                “The entire lineup of the baits in our Pro Series line are excellent fish catchers. The actions, color schemes, internal tungsten weight transfer systems, and premium components make these baits some of the best on the market.”
 


Pro Series Jerkbait 110
4-3/8” inches ½ ounce
MSRP $14.99
Yo-Zuri has officially launched the brand-new Pro Series Jerkbait 110, a high-performance lure designed for serious anglers. Packed with innovative features and precision engineering, this bait is built to deliver long casts, lifelike presentation, and undeniable results on the water. One of the standout highlights is its triple coat realistic hologram finish, which gives the bait a stunning, ultra-natural look that reflects light from multiple angles.




The bait also sports a hologram lip, adding to its lifelike appearance and underwater appeal. This light reflects light during the swimming motion, which will attract and entices predators to strike.


The Jerkbait 110 features Yo-Zuri’s newly developed tungsten magnet weight transfer system, allowing for increased casting distance and better balance during retrieves. This baits weights ½ ounce. 


Available in eight brand-new color patterns, the Pro Series Jerkbait 110 is already making waves among tackle enthusiasts.


 
“The Pro Series Jerkbait 110 has quickly become my go-to. With premium features like ultra-sharp hooks and a tungsten weight transfer system, every bait is ready to perform, every bait is ready to perform at the highest level.”

 

We are continuing to build on our strengths by expanding styles, sizes and color line-ups in our best-selling series:  Mag Series, Hydro Series, 3D Inshore Series. 

Mag Pencil – 8 inch, 3-1/3 oz, $24.99 MSRP

A larger pencil was a missing part of our arsenal, especially for the Northeast Striped Bass market. The problem with current “Doc” style topwaters on the market is casting ability. They throw like a potato chip, especially in windy conditions.  The Mag Pencil features a sled weight transfer which creates tail first, long and accurate casts, even into a head wind.  



This casting system allows you to cover more water and makes it a great plug for long distance fisheries: Surf, Jetty, Pier. 
The Mag Pencil sits with a horizontal posture and features a wide walking action, that can be made with a tip up or tip down motion.  Extremely easy to walk for its size, making it easier on the angler to fish all day.  The single knock cadence rattle gives it a deep thud with each side to side movement.
Another key advantage to the Mag Pencil is the hardware. It comes out of the box, with triple strength treble hooks, 400lb split rings and through wire construction.  Unlike other brands on the market, there is no need to change out the terminal tackle for any inshore or offshore species.

  

Our top focus when developing the Mag Pencil was getting it right for the Striped Bass market.  We tested this product at several of the key fisheries including Raritan Bay, Block Island, Chesapeake Bay and the Cape Cod Canal over the last 18 months.  It showed the ability to excel in a wide range of situations – working structure like rock jetties/islands, pulling fish up off rock piles, casting to breaking fish, working the edges of bunker pods.  It walks extremely well at a slow speed, with a wide gliding action that Stripers can’t resist.



Pencils aren’t normally thought of when casting lures at Tuna but the Mag Pencil has proven to be deadly on both Yellowfin and Bluefin.  The magnetic weight transfer system allows you to be able to make the long, accurate casts needed when casting to foamers or working pods of porpoise.  The through wire construction  and heavy duty terminal can handle Tuna up to 73” with no problem.  The Mag Pencil has a wide speed range and performs well when walked very quickly, which has made it effective for Tuna chasing flyers, mackerel and sand eels.



Another group of fish that love the Mag Pencil are Trevallies.  Whether your chasing GT’s, Jack Crevalle or Roosterfish, this bait has the distance, action and terminal to put them on the deck.  It has the action range, where you can burn it to fire up the school and still have strong action when slowed down near the boat. 
This bait comes in 10 colors, with painted, pearl and metallic scaled patterns featured:  Bone, Bone Chartreuse, Black Back, Bronze Shiner, Pearl, Pearl Bunker, Pearl Candy, Pearl Red Head, Wacky Mack, Yellow

Mag Popper - 4 inch (100mm), 1oz, $14.99

Yo-Zuri is introducing a new compact size Mag Popper to go with current 5-1/4” & 6-1/4” sizes.  This new bite size Mag Popper features the patented magnetic sled weight transfer system for long, pinpoint casts, even into a head wind.




Other features include through wire construction, triple strength saltwater trebles and split rings and a deep cupped mouth to catch and push water. An obvious lure for chasing Jacks of all kinds, its also a great for smaller Tuna like Blackfin and Bonita, back bay and surf Striped Bass, Bluefish and bull Reds.  



Available in 11 colors, same color chart for all sizes.

Hydro Monster – 2-5/8” (65mm), 7/8oz (25g)

A new smaller size of the popular Hydro Monster Shot has been added to the line-up. This versatile bait can be fished several different ways: skipped on the surface, swam subsurface or vertical jigged. It’s the only hard bait on the market that can be used for targetting fish from the surface to the bottom, covering the entire water column. The “dying baitfish” side to side wobble on the fall triggers bites on the sink as it falls below bait schools. This new size comes with a single inline hook for easier releases and less danger to anglers. The inside of the body is solid lead, making this lure cast extremely well from the boat or shore.  Through wire construction ensures it can be used for big game targets that are feeding on small bait.





This lure is particularly deadly on Mackerel and small Tuna species. When chasing Spanish Mackerel, you can burn it for active feeding fish or fish it vertically along the bottom when they are spooky and hugging the bottom. 



Whether you call them Bonita, Little Tunny or Fall Albacore, chasing these small Tuna’s is becoming more popular worldwide.  Whether for sport or for bait, Bonita provide blistering runs and a great sport on light tackle. They can however, be extremely frustrating with how fast they move and how finicky they can become when keyed in on small bait. The new size Monster Shot is a small enough profile to mirror glass minnows, anchovies, spearing and other small prey, while providing the weight and casting distance needed to reach breaking fish. 



Available in all 11 colors in the series, including the new Silhouette Black pattern.

3D Inshore – 15 New Color Patterns

We are adding 15 new colors to the entire line-up of the massively successful 3D Inshore Series.  In addition, we are filling in the gaps, where some colors (ex. Bone) were previously only available in select styles and sizes, they are now available across entire series. There is something new for every saltwater fishery from the Gulf coast to the Northeast. These new colors are a combination of pearl, 3D and painted patterns. Check out all the new patterns and start catching more fish this fall.

3D Offshore Series – New color patterns

Yo-Zuri is adding multiple highly requested colors to the 3D Diver, 3D Magnum Sinking, 3D Magnum Deep Diver and 3D Squirt series. A series designed for nearshore and offshore trolling, all the new color patterns are 3D patterns that broadcast light in all directions. The series features through wire construction, triple strength saltwater grade hooks and split rings and true running action straight out of the box. Check out the new colors and see how they fit in your trolling spread this summer.







 

<sup>Cold fronts are different depending on where in the country you live.  When a cold front hits up north it will slow the bite a little, but you can still catch them.  A cold front in Florida can be devastating to the bite.  When faced with frontal conditions, I would slow down and fish a jig, drop shot, tight wobble crankbait or a Rattl’n Vibe.  All of these presentations should be slow and close to the bottom.  Sometimes the best way to catch them is to get a reaction bite.  For a reaction bite the Yo-Zuri Rattl’n Vibe is my favorite.  You can cover lots of water and fish the entire water column.  The bite will almost always be when the bait is stopped and falling.  The Vibe glides down and when ripped up again the fish react and bite.  There is no better way to catch a cold front bass than with this technique.



 I also throw the Yo-Zuri 3DR-X Flat and 3DR-X Shad crankbaits.  Both of these baits have a very tight wobble.  This tight wobble looks very realistic to how the shad swim, when the water is cold.  With the Rattl’n Vibe I am making the erratic movement, but with the crankbaits, I try to deflect them off the cover to get the bite.  The colder the water, the more important it is to throw a tight wobbling, subtle style crankbait.  I usually throw 16 lb T7 fluorocarbon on the Vibe, and 10-12 lb T7 fluorocarbon on the crankbaits. 




I always first try to fish a moving bait during cold fronts.  I’m looking to get a reaction bite, but if that fails, I switch to a jig or dropshot.  The jig I fish really slow on the bottom.  I will try slight hops, but generally it’s a slow drag presentation.  For this, I usually throw 16 lb T7 fluorocarbon which is strong but invisible.  Cold fronts can make the bass really finicky, which is why I downsize my line.  When all else fails I will fish a drop shot.  This presentation will be slow and methodical.  I use 15 lb yellow Super Braid for my main line and 8-12lb T7 fluorocarbon for my leader.  Most of the time I just drag it on the bottom, trying to feel for structure.  This presentation is usually my last resort but has saved the day many times.






Even though cold fronts can be fishermen’s worst nightmare, it doesn’t mean you can’t catch them.  I have had some incredible bags of fish on cold front days.  Just remember to slow down and try to keep a positive attitude.  Your goal is to see if you can get a reaction bite or do you have to slow down and finesse fish.  Once you get a few bites the bass will tell you how to move forward.  Remember even in Florida cold fronts, a big bag is possible.</sup>


By Mike Surman


 

It's no secret that braided line can provide some real tangible benefits to anglers. For the past 8 years I've been fishing Yo-Zuri Superbraid on all my spinning and baitcasting gear and I've had great success on lakes and rivers around Ontario from Lake St. Clair, south and east to the mighty St. Lawrence River, and north to the James Bay lowlands. 
On spinning gear I lean on 10lb (NED rigging and drop shot), with one or two reels spooled with 15-20lb for a bit heavier applications like heavier (tube jigs and swimbaits). Baitcasting gear always gets adorned with heavier weight Superbraid like 30 to 50lb for tacking largies (Texas and Carolina rigs and froggin') and the ever-present Northern pike (large spoons and soft plastic offerings.

Braid Advantage

Braided line offers several advantages over traditional monofilament or fluorocarbon lines. Its low-stretch properties provide reduces superior sensitivity, allowing anglers to detect even the subtlest bites. Additionally, braided line has a higher tensile strength, meaning it can handle heavier loads and larger fish. Its thin also diameter line resistance , resulting in longer casts and better hooksets. One often overlooked advantage, is longevity. Braided lines tend to be more resistant to twisting, and they can also be reversed, extending the life of the line even longer!

Should I Use a Leader?

While braided line offers many advantages, it can be commonplace to use a fluorocarbon leader especially in ultra-clear smallmouth waters where I live. Fluorocarbon is nearly invisible underwater and can provide a higher level of confidence where finesse fishing tactics are needed. Short leader lengths of 4-8ft are common joined to the braided line with a knot such as the back-to-back uni-knot, Alberto, FG, or similar. By combining the strength and sensitivity of SuperBraid with the stealth and durability of fluorocarbon such as Yo-Zuri Top Knot, T7 Premium Flourocarbon, and the newest addition, SuperFlouro, anglers can create a powerful and effective fishing system that can't be beat. Why Superbraid? Yo-Zuri SuperBraid is a high-performance 4 strand PE (polyethylene) braided fishing line construction offered in 10-40lb test. The larger braid between 50 and 80lb is constructed of 8 strands of PE. SuperBraid has a special coating to provide a amazing abrasion resistance and very low stretch. With its exceptional strength, sensitivity, and durability, this braided line offers a multitude of benefits that can significantly enhance your fishing experience. There are also several color options available, and it is reasonably priced for a premium braided line! Several Color Options! Yo-Zuri SuperBraid is available in a variety of colors to suit different fishing conditions.





 
 

• Green - a popular choice for freshwater applications, as it blends well with aquatic vegetation
• Hi-Vis Yellow - ideal for low-light conditions, making it easier for line watching and detecting strikes
• Blue - for use in saltwater and clear lakes, and;
• Five Color - provides 10 meter sections of multi-coloured braid, with small black color change demarking 1 meter intervals. This metered line is ideal for vertical jigging and long line trolling.

By understanding the benefits of Yo-Zuri SuperBraid and choosing the right color for your specific fishing needs, you can elevate your angling skills and have a great time on the water targeting your favorite species! Will Nalley






By Will Nalley

EARLY FALL BASS FISHING : ADAPT TO SHALLOW WATER

Cool nighttime temperatures can drop water temps fast. A lot of bass seek out shallower areas to feed, following schools of minnows and pods of young-of-the-year baitfish. The key to success lies in adapting your presentation to trigger reaction bites from these shallow-water dwellers.

Understanding Shallow Water Bites

Shallow water bass in early fall can be more aggressive at times, and less cautious than their deeper-dwelling pounds. They are often looking for a quick meal and are more likely to strike at baits that provoke a reaction. A good program to employ means ditching the slow, methodical retrieves and opting for more aggressive presentations. Another key to this productive pattern involves covering a lot of real estate, which puts your bait in front of more fish while keeping the scenery interesting. 

The Importance of Crankbaits

Crankbaits are an essential tool for targeting shallow water bass particularly in the transition periods. Their tight, erratic action is perfect for triggering strikes from aggressive fish. However, it's important to choose the right crankbait based on the depth of the water you're fishing. I consider 1-10 feet of water the shallow water zone. 

Crankbait Tips

• Whenever possible, try to crash your bait into structure such as rock or wood. 
• Keep your bait moving! Burn cranks back to the boat to fool bass into chasing a fleeting meal.
• Rip a crankbait through the tops of submerged weedbeds – this can draw the most savage strikes reaction!

Baits to Cover the Range



Shallow Diving Crankbaits
These are ideal for targeting bass in very shallow areas - typically under 5 feet deep. Popular choices include the 3DB 1.5 Squarebill, 3DR-X Series Flat Crank, and the 3DR-X Crank SR (shallow- runner). Yo-Zuri's patented 'Wave Motion Technology' sends out some serious vibration through the water. Great buoyancy and a tight wobble gets the job done!

Mid Depth Diving Crankbaits
As the water depth increases, you'll need to use medium diving crankbaits. These baits are designed to reach fish mid-depth structure. The Yo-Zuri 3DB Deep Crank and the 3DR-X Crank MR (mid-runner) are deadly choices to crank the 5-6 foot depths efficiently. Like the other Yo -Zuri crankbaits, they are made of super durable ABS resin material with a nearly indestructible detailed finish. 



Deeper Diving Crankbaits
Finally, when fishing down to the deepest of the shallow water areas my go to choice for a deeper diving crankbait is the 3DB Deep Crank and the 3DR-X DD (deep diver). The wobbling-rolling action and large eyes creates a natural predatorial strike response, especially along the weed edges.

FISHING DEEP DIVING JERKBAITS

Deeper diving jerkbaits can also be effective for targeting shallow water bass. These baits are designed to create a more erratic action than crankbaits, which can be especially effective for triggering strikes from aggressive fish . When fishing jerkbaits impart action to the bait using a series of short jerks followed by brief pauses. This will cause the bait to dart and twitch erratically . As the water gets colder, extending the pause is a great move to get bit. A suspending jerkbait is enough to drive even the most tenuous followers to commit. 
My go-to bait is the 3DB Jerkbait 110 Deep. The 110 Deep is a high-quality jerkbait designed to mimic the movement of a wounded baitfish. These three treble hook baits are super durable with a 3D Prism Finish. One of my most favorite features of this bait is the Weight Transfer System which allows me to bomb that bait on a long cast, even into the wind, effortlessly.

Additional Early Fall Fishing Tips

• Pay attention to the weather: Cloudy days and wind can make shallow water bass more active,
• Watch for changes in wind direction – this can really fire up fish activity,
• Experiment with different colors and sizes but start with a bait that best mimics the predominant bait fish in your water body.

As the temperatures start to drop, try these shallow water presentation options. Some of the biggest fish of the year are strapping on the feedbag right now for the coming winter season!

Will Nalley
 

​          Less sunlight daily, leaves are changing colors, and water temperatures progressively dropping…that means fall is upon us! Fall is the time of year when many fish species are feeding heavily on minnows, so using a minnow-imitating hardbait like the new Yo-Zuri 3DR-X Flat Heavy Minnow series can be highly effective when pursuing everything from panfish to predators.

​          The new 3DR-X Flat Heavy Minnow comes in three sizes (1 5/8”/40 mm, 2 3/8”/60 mm, and 3 1/8”/80 mm) and eight colors including naturalistic trout, smelt, and metallic patterns. The Flat Heavy Minnow is a suspending hardbait that comes in Yo-Zuri’s patented scale prism pattern and built-in rattle system which draw fish in from a distance. A unique feature that sets the Flat Heavy Minnow apart from other hardbaits is that it does not just sink, but it notably flutters as it falls through the water column. This fluttering movement mimics a dying or injured baitfish that often entices fish to strike before retrieving the lure even begins. When the characteristics are added all together, the 3DR-X Flat Heavy Minnow series makes for a dynamite hardbait that fish cannot resist throughout the transition from summer to fall, peak fall, and late fall periods.

Early Fall
​          As summer transitions to fall, predators like walleyes, northern pike, and bass move in and out of weedlines in search of prey. Making long casts more than forty feet with the 3 1/8” Flat Heavy Minnow tied to 20 lb test Yo-Zuri SuperBraid parallel to the weeds is a solid way to draw attention from predatory species. Focusing on depths of ten to twelve foot of water and retrieving the Flat Heavy Minnow halfway down the water column works very well as fish will oftentimes feed up as they lie in ambush in and near the weedlines. A pull and pause retrieve maximizes the flutter on the fall in this scenario, which increases the number of fish that will bite.

Peak Fall
​          As emergent vegetation dies and surface temperatures progressively drop, large schools of large slab crappies suspend as they prowl over some of the deepest water in a given system chasing schools of minnows. This might mean that they are five feet down over fifteen feet of water or it could mean they are suspended fifteen feet down over thirty feet of water depending on the lake. In this scenario, pairing the 1 5/8” 3DR-X Flat Heavy Minnow with Yo-Zuri 4 lb or 6 lb Hybrid line can be highly effective as it can be cast far from your fishing vessel to decrease spooking fish while getting down to the fish before they move. Casting beyond the school of fish and going with a lift-pause-fall-repeat cadence one to two feet above them can be a great way to chase suspended slabs. The key during the cast and retrieve is to keep the line taut as big crappies will regularly uphit the Flat Heavy Minnow, oftentimes swallowing and/or T-boning the lures.

Late Fall
          Late fall is the time when water temperatures have plummeted, turnover has come and gone, and a great deal of vegetation has been diminished. This is an excellent time of year to use the 2 3/8” 3DR-X Flat Heavy Minnow for trout as they thrive in cold water. Trout can sometimes be a bit more challenging to catch as they can be found at any stage of the water column from the bottom to the surface as they feed on insects and minnows before the upcoming freeze. Any of the available trout-based patterns can be strong choices this time of year when tied to Yo-Zuri 6 lb T-7 Fluorocarbon. The key to retrieving and/or trolling the Flat Heavy Minnow is to move quickly (1.5 miles per hour or more) through the water column as the goal is to get reaction strikes. If the lure is moving too slowly, trout may be less inclined to strike. Because trout can be located anywhere in the water column, I usually start speed fishing in grids in the middle of the lake and work my way outward toward remaining weeds near the shorelines. Taking this approach allows for fish to be found and fish behavior to be patterned more quickly so that more time can be spent in the more productive zones of the lake.

​          Fall offers a bonanza of great fishing for a variety of species. Stock your gear boxes with the new 3DR-X Flat Heavy Minnow series and get ready for some great northern pike, bass, walleye, crappie, and trout fishing throughout the phases of fall.

Tight lines and safe travels!

- Mark Maule




 

Even though you can’t always feel a major change, the summer to fall transition is coming.  The nights and mornings are getting cooler, and the middle of the day is not quite as hot.  This transition starts the migration of shad from the middle of the lake to the banks.  As the shad begin to move, all of the gamefish become more active, and our fishing gets better and better.  The fall on Lake Okeechobee is when the bass begin to school.  This is when you let the birds clue you into where the fish are.  Seagulls, Turns, and Herons can all give you a sign that shad are present, which means bass are present.  I love throwing topwaters and rattling baits during this fall transition.  There is nothing better than a giant bass or a school of bass, busting my topwater.  My favorite topwater for this is the 5” and 4” YoZuri Pencil.  I use a fast “walk the dog” action on my Pencil and very rarely will I slow it down.  I like this bait because I can work it fast and cover water.  During this transition, bass are very active so a fast retrieve seems to trigger very aggressive strikes.



If the wind has too much chop on the water for a topwater, I go to the YoZuri Rattlin Vibe.  This is the best rattling bait I have ever used.  It can be worked in a lot of different ways, but a “stop and go” retrieve will really trigger bites in the fall.  The depth of water you are fishing will determine the length of your stop in retrieve.  Usually in 4 feet of water or less, this pause will be only a second.  The deeper the water the longer the pause.  The Rattlin Vibe will start to glide and fall during this slight pause.  That is when you get 90% of your strikes.  This may only be a tick or thump, and your line will go slack.  This is why I use the YoZuri T7 Flourocarbon line when throwing the Rattling Vibe.  My favorite is 15-20 pound test, depending on how I want the bait to glide and fall.  The heavier the line, the slower the fall.  The T7 flourocarbon is very low in stretch, so when you set the hook, even on slack line, the hooks drive into the fish.



So even though you may not be able to feel the fall transition, the fish and wildlife can.  So, get your Pencils and Rattlin Vibes and get on the water!  This transition brings some of the biggest bass of the year, but also some of the biggest numbers of fish caught.  Tight lines and have fun!


by Mike Surman
 

Yo-Zuri is proud to introduce new 600yd spools of SuperBraid.  Made in our line factory in Fukuoka Japan, SuperBraid is a PE4 from 10-40lb and a PE 8 from 50-130lb.  This line is produced using our exclusive heat integration process which bonds the individual strands making the line smoother, stronger and more abrasion resistant.  The new 600yd spools are perfect for anglers spooling larger compacity reels or wanting to fill multiple reels, without having to purchase a full-size bulk spool.  Available colors and sizes will be Blue, Dark Green, White and 5 color metered in 20lb through 100lb.  Available now!



 
Also new for this year in the SuperBraid line up is sizes 100lb, 130lb and 150lb in bulk spools in Blue, White and 5 color metered.  This is heavy solid core PE braid, perfect for backing reels or using on top shot for big game casting.  This line is a great choice for beach shark fishing, deep dropping or big game live bait or chunking.  Available now!
 
 
Freshwater lures



Yo-Zuri is releasing three new colors in it’s 3DB series of topwater hard baits for the freshwater market.  All three colors are made using Yo-Zuri’s internal pearl finish, which is built into the baits and never chips or wears off.  All three new colors will be available in the 3DB Popper, 3DB Pencil 100, 3DB Pencil 125, 3DB Pencil Popper 100 and 3DB Pencil Popper 135.  All three new colors are available now!

Ghost Sexy Shad


Ghost Pearl Shad


Gizzard Shad


3DR-X Series

3DR-X Flat Heavy Minnow


The 3DR-X Flat Heavy Minnow is a new and extremely unique count down style freshwater lure.  This is a fast-sinking lure, that features a seductive dying bait fish wobble on the fall.  On a straight retrieve, this thin flat sided lure has a very tight wiggle action, perfect for cold water conditions.  This bait was designed to run true in high current situations for Trout, Bass, Pike, Crappie, Perch and other gamefish.  It is also extremely effective when used with front facing sonar due to its shimmy action on the fall and its darting action when fished with a twitch and pause. 
The Flat Heavy Minnow comes in three sizes:  1-5/8”, 2-3/8” & 3-1/8”
There are eight available color patterns:  Ghost Smelt, Metallic Ghost Ayu, Baby Trout, Baby Rainbow Trout, Pink Baby Trout, Black Silver, Gold Black, Chartreuse Baby Trout


Saltwater Lures
Yo-Zuri is doing a full revamp of the Mag Minnow Series.  The series is being expanded to four sizes:  2-3/4” (70mm), 3-1/2” (90mm), 4-3/8” (105mm) & 5” (125mm).  The new size range covers everything from extreme light tackle inshore to sight casting to big game inshore gamefish and offshore pelagic species.  The Mag Minnow series features Yo-Zuri’s patented magnetic weight transfer system for long, accurate casts. 



The Mag Minnow series also features through wire construction and triple strength saltwater grade treble hooks.  The running depth is 3.5ft to 5ft on a cast and retrieve and the swimming action is a tight wiggle that represents a wide range of baitfish.  The Mag Minnow now comes in 12 color patterns, including key new color options like Bone, Double White and Black Back. 



Yo-Zuri is adding key colors to many of its best-selling saltwater hard baits. 

Hydro Minnow LC – A top selling casting lure for the surf, bay, jetty, pier and boat.  The Hydro Minnow LC has a weight transfer system, small lip for extreme shallow running and triple strength treble hooks.  Yo-Zuri is adding four highly requested new colors, which recently hit the US market.



Yellow – A tremendous color for Striped Bass especially when they are feeding on Bunker.  Effective for any gamefish that react to highly visible lures.
Bronze Shiner – An extremely natural pattern that is effective in a wide range of fisheries including NE Striped Bass and SE Snook, Tarpon and Bull Redfish. 
Double White – A great all-around pattern for any saltwater market, Double White features a prism scaled pattern between an all-white top and bottom.  This variation off Bone is going to be a killer for a wide range of species including Striped Bass, Tarpon and King Mackerel. 
Black Back – A traditional black and silver pattern with an added attraction of a prism scaled pattern on the side.  This is a great all-around pattern for day or night fishing for a wide variety of species and fisheries.

3D Inshore Series
This series has been a top seller for Yo-Zuri since its introduction.  Two of the top styles in the series are the Twitchbait and the Popper.  The Twitchbait is a very slow sink lipless glide bait, with a quick darting and flashing action when twitched.  It comes in four sizes and has been successful for everything from Seatrout and Spanish Mackerel to jumbo Striped Bass, Snook and Tarpon.  The 3D Inshore Popper comes in two sizes (3-1/2”, 4-3/8”) and is a compact popper with an extra wide mouth that pushes a tremendous amount of water. 

3D Inshore Twitch Bait
Pearl – A completely pearl body, with the color built into the plastic before the bait is molded.  The color will never chip or wear off, even with species with teeth.  A great all-around color for a wide range of saltwater species and effective in daylight or night time conditions.  This new color is available in the following sizes: 2-3/4”, 3-1/2”, 4-3/8” & 5-1/4”




Purple Black – This translucent blurple pattern is an extremely effective color in low light and night time conditions.  A favorite of Northeast Striped Bass anglers, this color is also very effective for Tarpon in the Southeast.  Available now in sizes 4-3/8” & 5-1/4”



Yellow – A highly requested color for the Northeast Striped Bass market.  This pattern is extremely effective anytime Striped Bass and Bluefish are feeding on bunker schools.  A highly visible scrambled egg pattern that is available now at your favorite online retailer or local northeast saltwater tackle shop in sizes 4-3/8” & 5-1/4”




3D Inshore Popper

Pearl – A completely pearl body, with the color built into the plastic before the bait is molded.  The color will never chip or wear off, even with species with teeth.  A great all-around color for a wide range of saltwater species.  This new color is available in the following sizes: 3-1/2”, 4-3/8”



Yellow – A highly requested color for the Northeast Striped Bass market but also a very successful color for Jack Crevalle, Blue Trevally and Cubera Snapper.  A highly visible scrambled egg pattern that is available now at your favorite online retailer or local saltwater tackle shop in sizes 3-1/2” & 4-3/8”



Hydro Pencil
Two new colors in the Hydro Pencil: Pearl Chartreuse and Yellow.  Both patterns are exceptional options for Striped Bass and Bluefish in the Northeast market.  Also effective for trevally species and Snook in the Southeast. 



Mag Darter
Two new colors for the Mag Darter series, Double White and Black Back.  Both patterns have a scaled prism finish on the sides and both are available in all three sizes of the Darter:  4-1/8”, 5” & 6-1/2”. 




3D Squirt
Pearl is a new, extremely natural, pattern in the 3D Squirt.  Pearl is mixed with the liquid plastic before the bait is molded and we use an internal 3D sheet.  The combination makes one of the most realistic squid patterns on the market.  Available in the 5-1/2” & 7-1/2”.



Crystal Minnow Deep Diver
Now available in the most effective color pattern of all time – Bone.  Available in all three sizes: 3-1/2”, 4-3/8” & 5-1/4”


Squid Jigs
A new and very unique product in the squid jig category is the Ultra Metal Squid Jig.  This is a heavy weighted sinking squid jig designed to be fished solo or on the bottom of the Yo-Zuri Squid Rig (in place of a sinker).  This jig allows you to get down to the squid in deeper water or fast moving current.  It increases your odds of catching multiple squid on the same drop.  Available in both UV and glow patterns.
The Ultra Metal comes in two sizes: 3-3/8” 1-3/8oz, 4-1/8” 2oz
Available in five color patterns:  Luminous Redhead, Luminous Red Green, Luminous Red Yellow, Blue Luminous Pink Head, UV Blue



Mini Squid Jig
Two new colors in the Mini Squid Jig, our best-selling squid jig for the North American market.  Luminous Green and Luminous White are both glow patterns and highly requested color additions. 


 

Late fall crappies can be elusive as they move around, hunting and feeding available forage. 
Aggregations of fish make a move to the deeper water basins in local lakes, but before this
migration happens, there&#39;s a lot of commotion going on in remaining weed growth as slab
crappie strap on the proverbial feedbag. 

When fish are holed up in a general area, the most common presentation involves floats and
jigs.  This is the perfect presentation for capitalizing on a group of fish.  This scenario can result
in the most epic of fish-catching bonanzas.
There are times though, when you will find crappies cycling through shallow weed flats,
sometimes in 2-4 feet of water. These fish can be spotted visually when winds are calm, while
slowly moving the boat through sparse remaining weed beds.  Once you see fish, it&#39;s a real sign
that it&#39;s time to strain some water and latch on to these fish up shallow.  Start the fan-casting
program to connect with active fish.
Float fishing can get the job done in this situation, however, can be very inefficient as fish are
constantly on the move chasing down bait. In this instance, consider using a small suspending
jerkbait to cover water faster and convert crappies on patrol into hook up&#39;s. 
Case in Point

On a recent late fall trip we had the perfect calm conditions and water temps in the low 40&#39;s. 
Protracted warm weather days seemed to keep the shallows active with bait and predators. 
We could spot fish using polarized glasses, and even witnessed some surface activity with
schools of minnows being busted.  I used the Hardcore Minnow Flat SP 70mm to make long
casts and cover water.  The mini-jerkbait fishes perfectly with the rod tip up, diving no deeper
than 11-18&quot; of water. 
There are two key attributes of this bait that brought this presentation together. First the
Hardcore Minnow Flat SP utilizes a magnetic weight transfer system allowing a ridiculously long
cast with a small, light bait using 10lb Yo-Zuri Superbraid. 
The second part of the deal was the perfect suspending nature of this jerkbait.  Strikes tended
to happen as soon as the bait hit the water and rested, or as the bait stalled on the jerk-jerk-
pause presentation. Tightening the line to move the bait forward often resulted in an instant
hook up as the crappies just crushed it.
When employing this approach, remember that cold water demands a lighter touch, with short
movements of the rod tip to impart movement.  At this time of the year, it’s generally
preferable to leave the consistent faster approach for warmer seasons.
Before I forget, a great tip to help prevent bite offs from the inevitable bonus northern pike,
involves tying in a six-to-eight-inch section of 20lb T7 Premium Fluorocarbon as a bite-resistant

leader. Don’t worry, the diameter and weight of the leader doesn&#39;t significantly impact the
action of the bait.  
Throwing small jerkbaits like the Hardcore Minnow Flat SP 70mm is an absolute blast and can
lead to some of the most consistent late fall crappie action!

Will Nalley