A few years later Black Dog Baits was created. The first bait released was the Shellcracker. We released this bait because every lure company had a trout bait. We wanted to start out a little different. We at Black Dog knew what we had on deck for our second bait. Knowing what would happen if this bait was placed into the correct hands at the correct time. The spring of 2007 we released the first of two sizes of Lunker Punkers in wood the 6″ and 8″. We started immediately receiving calls from dealers and customers after the first shipments had sold out.

One interesting call was from a customer sitting in the back of his partners boat watching his partner stick trophy bass one after another while prefishing for a tournament. Unfortunately, for the guy in the back there was only one Punker in the boat that day. I believe the guy in the back purchased some after that day. They won the tournament the next week and a few more after that.

Another story was from Rafeal Rossi a known Trophy specialist. Rafeal was working the Punker across an area known for giants. After a long cast Rafael Noticed two Giant followers zoned in on the bait working across the water. One of the two bass disappeared. A second later the giant came up from under the bait and exploded on the Punker. After a fight with the Bass. The bass tipped the scales at over 14.9lbs The picture of this Giant Bass is included with this article.

After giving you some interesting information on the Lunker Punker. We have put together a few pics of the three Largest Bass caught on the Lunker Punker to date. We have heard of other giants caught. Although, these are the only pics we have of the Three biggest. The original record was held by Rafeal Rossi at 14.9 lbs. In October 2009 a new record of 16lb was caught by Mike Brakebill. The second biggest is Rafeal Rossi at 14.9 The third is 14lbs from John Ward in the California Delta. These are incredible fish caught on topwater! Good Luck to all this year and we look forward to any pics of your biggest on the Punkers or any other Black Dog Bait.

If you’re a swim bait junkie don’t ever put it down. A lot of anglers wouldn’t think to pick up their swim bait in the winter but the truth is if you want to catch that trophy bass the weed Slinger is your ticket. Shad spawn in January so why not pick up your ghost minnow weed Slinger and match the hatch? Yes it’s cold and yes the fish are stubborn yet there always hungry and they will eat when the opportunity is in her face! I think the drop shot is a great technique and I truly give credit to those who can do it all day because there are a few of us that can’t.

We all have different preferences to catch big fish whether it is a certain tide on the delta or a certain technique; it all boils down to confidence. If you’re confident in what you’re doing and what you’re using then don’t stop using it. Just because its winter doesn’t mean you have to bust out the finesse rod and stand on the front of your boat and just wait and wait for your line to move just continue using the bait you have confidence in just use it 10 times slower and no not your top water unless you’re going for striper.

Black Dog has the big fish baits from the shellcracker to the weed slinger that will work in the winter, you might not catch as many as a drop shot would yet the size of your bass will make up for it! Early February is the best time to catch that prize bass! It’s the cycle in between full moons that turns these fish on! If you find a dead end slough in somewhat clear water and some sign of bait you will catch a big fish on your swim bait. You have to through you’re your weed slinger all the way to the bank and then slow slow roll it back to the boat, ripping it and pausing it works to.

So don’t forget, if you’re on the California delta dead end sloughs and the outgoing tide is the best time to catch swim bait fish in the winter and of course the hook line and sinker at Russo’s Marina is the best place to get you started

Good Luck Rippin Lips!

Largemouth bass will often relate better to the schools of shad that follow the tributaries and creeks. On Lake Murray anglers can use a good map to select live creeks that narrow significantly toward the back end of the channel. Clouds of shad are generally scattered all over the ends of these channels and there will be bass relating to all of these scatters balls of bait. You’ll see bass randomly busting shad all around and if you get caught up in frantically chasing these individual blow-ups you will end up like the dog chasing his own tail. It’s right there in front of you and you think it should be easy to catch, but in the end you may put in a lot of work with limited success.

Be aware of what’s happening around you. Every creek channel will have it’s “hot spots” during this fall shad feast. Instead of chasing bass where ever you see them bust bait, notice where to you see the bass come up on shad in the same spots over and over. Often times these are areas where the creek channel swings near a secondary point or where it swings very near the bank. The majority of bass will hang out in the channel and repeatedly feast on shad on these key locations. A variety of lures will work in your favor. Match the size of the shad in the area and use crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater, and dropshots to get bit. Generally, these fall bass wont be the largest fish in the lake, but you can have a great time catching numbers of keeper sized bass.

If you prefer to catch larger fish that put up a great fight then stripers may be your best bet. While the largemouth seem to prefer the creeks the stripers will ofter ring the dinner bell on the shad congregated over large flats just off of the main lake. This may require a little time driving around in your boat, but all you have to do is keep your eyes open and use your electronics to find bait over large flats. Once you locate the bait you can rest assured that the stripers are close by. If they are busting on top just throw a 6″ Lunker Punker or your favorite topwater popper on them and “Game On.” Even if the fish aren’t busting on top the Lunker Punker will call ‘em up. Stripers will often move over the entire area to feed so be prepared to crank up your big motor in order to keep up with them.

The fall season is about catching lots of fish, so get out on your favorite lake or river and enjoy this wonderful sport of ours. Always remember to take care of your fishery and it’s resources so that it will remain productive for all of us to enjoy for generations to come.

Rob Thames
www.THAMESbassfishingadventures.com

Black Dog Baits Shell Cracker G2 at work!

Big largemouth being caught on the Punker has been a regular occurence for people fishing for the Delta Stripers. Patrick Pickerell also a local largemouth/Striper guru has caught recently a few large largemouths in 7-8lb range fishing in shallow water while fishing for Stripers. Black Dog thanks all who send in pictures of their giant catches. Good Luck fishing!