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2007 Muskie Mojo Seminar

Category: chat

 Feb 21st, 2007 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Feb 21st, 2007 at 12:00 AM

Slamr: MuskieFIRST Welcomes Luke Breyer of Muskie Mojo Tackle to the chat room! BALDY: thanks for having me Slamr: Luke, can you start off by giving us a little history on Muskie Mojo Tackle? BALDY: history…Jonesi and I made the XXX in his apartment BALDY: Cady got sick of making the Weagle and Wabull so we bought it from him BALDY: that’s about it Musky_grrr: will you be adding any other baits to your lineup this year? BALDY: i got some things in the works BALDY: testing this summer with hopes of releasing new stuff next winter sorenson: what sets the XX and XXX apart from other ‘double 10s’? BALDY: or late this season BALDY: sorno…construction BALDY: .062″ wire, spacing of hooks, blades, etc BALDY: strong bait, built tough DEMolishedyou: Are 10″ Weagles a show lure only or will retailers be getting them? Musky_grrr: what is the progression of a lure from idea to point of sale? BALDY: 10 inch are show only right now BALDY: based on response they may become a regular item muskie_man: on the mojo website is the colors of the xxx the same as the ones you have listed for the xx just double the marabou BALDY: grrr…idea, prototype, testing, tweaking, final version BALDY: man, that is correct. colors are the same Slamr: what sets a Weagle apart from say….a jackpot? BALDY: they are heavier, sit lower in the water BALDY: push the water out of the way instead of riding on it BALDY: hence the swoosh BALDY: three hooks, better hookups BALDY: dont get blown out as easy BALDY: besides that construction…heavy duty clear coat, screw eyes, etcBallistic: How long does it take to build a Weagle or a Wabull? BALDY: hard to say because I build in large batches. lambeau: what is the painting process involve? BALDY: start to finish, ignoring dry time, I would say 2-3 hours per bait BALDY: primer is first BALDY: then paint Slamr: Can you tell us a bit about the differences between the “Nut” Weagles of the past, and the Muskie Mojo weagles of today. BALDY: some patterns take as many as 6 colors BALDY: color order is important BALDY: “Nut” Weagles were a different wood in the beginning BALDY: less consistency in blanks, hence some not working BALDY: “Nut” Weagles toward the end were exactly what I am building now lambeau: how have you improved on the consistency, bait-to-bait? BALDY: changes were made prior to my owning of the company BALDY: there is inconsistency in any wood, but what I have now is much better fish4musky1: why does there seem to be an obsession amoung some with NUT WeaglesBALDY: only blanks that are on far ends of the spectrum cause issues BALDY: f4m1, because they caught fish BALDY: and people believe that there is a major difference between then and now BALDY: there isnt fish4musky1: thank you for clearing that up MN_Jackpot: When is the right situation to use a Weagle when fishing? BALDY: whenever you want to catch a fish!! BALDY: seriosuly, though I mostly use them as throwback TForcier: i’ll second that BALDY: or if I just feel like there is a fish in the area Musky_grrr: how do you come up with ideas for new baits? like what led to the creation of the XX and XXX? BALDY: 911, thought about it. no time to play with it yet Netman: What direction is the company heading too more of the XXX or more wood? BALDY: grrr, I wanted a huge bucktail. BALDY: marabou was what I had, I liked it so I kept playing BALDY: The XX was created because I figured only crazy people would throw the XXX all year long BALDY: hard to say Bruce. There are so many possibilities with tails, but wood baits are fun Netman: what about a weagle with a tail? BALDY: you never know… tomyv: EAGLE Netman: There ya go Slamr: in terms of sales, what is the number one color of weagle? BALDY: Perch is extremely popular BALDY: followed closely by your favorite, black tomyv: Baldy, do you produce the baby’s now also? BALDY: yes, I do BALDY: Baby Weagle and Baby Wabull are MOJO baits for this year lambeau: how does the action of the baby weagle differ than the big one? tomyv: cool, I need some of those, early year cold water river fish seem to like emESOX_Maniac: What’s the biggest fish to date on a “weagle”? BALDY: same action just a little more subtle Netman: The baby wabull I saw it at the show, Mark was working it, do you work it like an undertaker? BALDY: Al, not sure, but I think Jeff Anderson had a 52+ x 24 last year BALDY: Bruce, Undertaker or 6 inch Reef Hawg. Ballistic: Is there a perfect leader for the Weagle, if so, what do you recommend? Netman: Thanks BALDY: Watch Norm Wild work it once…CRAZY good BALDY: no perfect leader for me ESOX_Maniac: What size/power/action rod do you prefer for the Weagle? Same question for the Wabull? BALDY: straight wire works great Got_Esox?: any plans for a new bait to the MOJO lineup for next year? BALDY: I use mostly floro in 130 lb. works very well Ballistic: thanks Musky911: how deep does the XXX run with a normal retrive BALDY: al, I use an 8′ H action for both Musky_grrr: what was the most surprising aspect of starting MOJO tackle as a company, that you didn’t expect? BALDY: whatever you fish gliders on is fine BALDY: XXX runs about 3-4 feet with what I call a normal retrieve Netman: Is that ripping it? BALDY: grrr, the time involved. BALDY: many late nights BALDY: especially during show season BALDY: bruce, ripping it? Netman: fast retrieve to you would be ripping it to me? tomyv: can we order the baby wabulls from the website? BALDY: fast is defintely fast BALDY: getting those blades up on top bulging Netman: Did you see the size of your forearms? 🙂 ESOX_Maniac: Are you comming to the Madison Fishing Expo? If not is anyone there w/ Mojo lures? BALDY: tomy, not right now. dont want to compete with retailers BALDY: thornes has some right now though lambeau: which retailers carry them? BALDY: al, i wont be there this year, but am considering it for next. tomyv: thanks Musky_grrr: weagles seem to have a reputation for being a hard bait to work. do you have any suggestions for someone who is using either the weagle or wabull for the first time so that they don’t get frustrated? tomyv: slack line BALDY: slack is a must. lambeau: slow down. BALDY: keep it slow BALDY: short, hard TAPS MN_Jackpot: Are you going to be at the Blaine show? BALDY: yes, I will be in Blaine tuffy1: You can work wabulls fast though and get them speed hop’n on the surface. BALDY: we will have the full spread there ready to go Ballistic: I work both VERY fast Medford_Fisher: Regading the slack in line: Do you wait when a fish hits to feel it then or reel quick and set the hook when you see a fish hit even if you’re not sure if it’s got hooks in it’s mouth? Ballistic: with pauses BALDY: wait for the weight sorenson: The Wabull seems to get the least amount of press of your line-up; I’ve seen it worked a half dozen different ways…seems there is no ‘wrong way’ to work it – is that pretty much true? tuffy1: Amen Steve. BALDY: definitely sorno BALDY: ballistic is a crazy man with that bait BALDY: i prefer to slow down Ballistic: what’s the biggest fish on a Wabull so far? BALDY: catches fish both ways Merckid: ballistic makes these baits do things you had no clue that you could do with them Musky911: what is the best selling pattern for the XXX and XX BALDY: steve, I believe your Goon 50 is the biggest one I know of Slamr: I never retrieve the weagle slow as some would lead you to believe you NEED to bring it in….had one going fast, had a heartbreaker eat and miss it. Ballistic: Gotta beat that one in 07… tuffy1: Lambeau was working on beating that this past fall. BALDY: black/nickel, grey/white/nickel tomyv: have seen Steve work a wabull where a spinnerbait won’t got thru in my opinion BALDY: great slop bait with practice Ballistic: that bait is magic, my opinion tuffy1: This year BALDY: get it done boys BALDY: take a pic this time mike sorenson: ouch lambeau: ouch. nice. Musky_grrr: you were saying some of the color patterns take up to six different colors. how do you figure out how to create some of the patterns? BALDY: i started by looking at baits in my box and trying to figure out how they went on Slamr: a big question this year has been about what to throw the XX or XXX type lures with (rod/reel), what do you Luke or Lambeau suggest? tuffy1: There are some AWESOME colors in the Silli XXXs BALDY: I also had some help from one of the best when I started BALDY: for the big blades i like a low geared reel BALDY: garcia 7000C3 BALDY: rod is not as critical…whatever will let you throw big, heavy baits all day long lambeau: low gear ratio. 4:1 – 4.7:1 Abu 7000s, Penns, a number of good options out there with big spool and low ratio. TForcier: strong back tuffy1: So you just straight retrieve the XXXs or XXs? BALDY: I like to puff them to get the ‘bou moving muskie_man: would a gear ratio of 5.2:1 work with a power handle on it BALDY: at night, straight retrieve BALDY: mm, it will work, but you will wear out quicker muskie!_nut: is that lam “bou”? Chris_H: How do I “T” the mid hook to reduce the hook rear on a Weagle? BALDY: hard to describe…make sure the hook lies flat against the bait BALDY: many tutorials on first about that very topic tuffy1: If you search on the sight there are some good pictures of it. Musky Hunter the show had a segment on it too. BALDY: t-ing can save baits BALDY: even tough clear gets chewed after awhile muskie!_nut: better hook ups as well Musky911: what has been your best selling bait at the shows? BALDY: tough call, Baby Weagle has been popular, also the 10 Ballistic: the hook rash gives a Weagle character…BALDY: Baby Wabull is going to be a sleeper tuffy1: I can’t wait to throw the baby this spring. Slamr: do you suggest running the 10″ weagle in the same way one would work the 8″? Netman: Me too BALDY: the 10 can be run the same BALDY: just a harder on the taps BALDY: it is also a little more forgiving so slack is not so key BALDY: this baits moves water…hulbert had it throwing water out of the tank in Milwaukee Musky_grrr: are there certain circumstances you would suggest throwing the 10 inch over the 8? BALDY: big fish water…they loved it on The Pond this year Ballistic: yes he did, splashed my camera Professional_Edge: I liked how it looked moving it slow MikeHulbert: It moves a TON of water…Watch out Minnesota Muskies! tuffy1: Seems to have a little more latteral movement as well. BALDY: definitely moves more than the regular one Professional_Edge: You bringing anything special to Blaine? muskie!_nut: any other wild colors in store for xxx or xx in the future? BALDY: I will be building Silicone XXX while you wait in Blaine sorenson: we hear about their effectiveness on the Pond…how about any of your other haunts? they just as effective there? BALDY: besides that, custom colors of all the baits BALDY: no wild colors planned yet, gerard Ballistic: What material are the Baby Weagle and Wabull made from? Professional_Edge: pick colors of xxx and have them built while waiting? BALDY: Baby Weagle and Wabull are solid plasticChris_H: What in the Mojo line up would you recommend for TC metro tiger muskies? lambeau: where are Mojo baits available for retail purchase? BALDY: keith, yep pick your skirts and blades and i will build them BALDY: chris, Baby Wabull will be a tiger killer!! BALDY: baits are available at thornes, randh, smokeys, musky tackle online BALDY: Rollie and Helens Professional_Edge: I heard there were lots of big fish caught on the XXX that did not hit the internet…any special colors? BALDY: grey/white with nickel blades was great for me along with black BALDY: grey with orange blades was killer for some folks BALDY: Lee Lane stuck a 50 on one the day after I built it for him Chris_H: Cool, consider a few sold at Blaine. FYI…was just in Thorne…….quite a few Mojo baits there. Slamr: was super speed a necessity for catching fish on the XX or XXX? BALDY: not in my boat…medium retrieve caught plenty BALDY: jody’s fish ate one slow rolled fish4musky1: good in weeds? BALDY: good over weeds lambeau: why do you use triple split rings and big heavy hooks? BALDY: strength muskie!_nut: and dont forget to figure 8 saw plenty come in late and eat at the boat BALDY: bigger hooks grab and hold better Musky911: do XXX’s work well trolled BALDY: i havent caught fish trolling them yet, but they look great BALDY: they will score eventually lambeau: i run ’em behind a jet diver to get them down. tuffy1: We had some success ripping and twitching the XXs this past fall, any other ways you can work them aside from buring or medium retireves or flairing? BALDY: jet diver or snap weight tuffy1: Or trolling flats with them long lined pushing a wake muskie_man: how much more bou is on the xxx compared to the xx? Chris_H: Threw a XXX silly this fall, it rides high and low pretty easily. Threw it over rocks and in weeds, rides well. Didn’t troll, but it sure could be used in that application. BALDY: mm, twice as much guts: if i want to trol lover shallow weeds with a XXX or XX will it be to high up in the water column to work rights (breaking suface ect…) BALDY: it should work fine BALDY: if it is too high, let out more line or slow down Slamr: Lambeau, what is a jet diver, and how do you use them with a XXX? and do you have any other secrets to the XXX? BALDY: or get out the weights Musky911: have you ever considered adding hackle to the XXX’s lambeau: jet diver is basically just a crankbait lip that you can attach a long trolling leader to…gets non-diving baits down. BALDY: I am playing with that right now tuffy1: If you get out the weights, I would start with at least 8ozs. You can watch on your locator how deep they are running. tuffy1: Put the weight 7-10′ in front of the bait. tuffy1: speed will make a huge difference here too. tuffy1: Are you going to put anything out in the “squirrly” version? BALDY: I have played with a squirrley wabull BALDY: still needs some work muskie!_nut: squwabull???? Zach440: that sounds like a cool bait Ballistic: that sounds good BALDY: it is cool, ask Lambeau lambeau: it’s a winner. lambeau: balance needs tweaking, but working on it. lambeau: narrow ribbon tail is my personal favoritefish4musky1: are you going to make smaller sized bucktails? how bout spinner baits? Chris_H: Gotta ask……..any thoughts of a topwater prop bait? lambeau: smaller bucktails… BALDY: lambeau and I have played with some smaller bucks BALDY: a single X if you will guts: is there a reason the is no plain hair big bladed bucktails? sorenson: send some of those this way… BALDY: prop topwater is on my mind…just so many Ballistic: That would be perfect for me… BALDY: need to find something to set me apart BALDY: bucktail does not look good behind the big blades, I’ve tried guts: ok thanks tuffy1: hair doesn’t dance as much as the other materials. Billy_B: what about bringing back the huge cowbell blade? BALDY: billy, that blade is very hard to find right now BALDY: some are using it when they can find it TForcier: Luke, good job tonight! Chris_H: Just thinking how a low riding topwater with blades would look…would move a lot of water…… TForcier: I’ll see ya in Blaine BALDY: you bet you will musky_grrr: Thanks, Luke, and good luck to you! BALDY: I’ll have a spread BALDY: anybody with any more questions can contact me through www.muskiemojo.com BALDY: I’m always available Slamr: MuskieFIRST thanks Luke Bryer of Muskie Mojo Tackle for a great chat! Ballistic: Thanks sir! BALDY: Retailers: Thornes, Rollie and Helens, Smokeys, Musky Tackle Online