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Swimbait Review

 

Baitsanity’s Most Technical Glidebait Yet – The Antidote TUG (continued)

Real World Tests: I have been fishing the Antidote TUG first run baits for just over six months now but my first experience with the TUG was over a year ago when Fahad and I fished together prior to the launch of the Explorer Gill. At the time we were fishing early mass production gills, and it was the first time that I got to experiment with the funky looking HatchMatch Atom Tail. It was also the first time that Fahad and I had ever fished together and after a few hours he asked if I was interested in checking out a prototype which he was currently developing.


A year ago Fahad showed me the first handbuilt prototype of the Antidote TUG

That prototype was the first Antidote TUG, and while it still had several 3D printed elements the bait’s internal spring-loaded weight system was functional. Fahad explained the Glide-Leap concept to me, and that this bait was a prototype that he had assembled to test the weight system. While this bait didn’t have the final finish it was a good example of where he was going with the new series.


This prototype features a much less detailed finish and still had printed elements and was pieced together with super glue

Fahad tied the bait on to demonstrate the action and I was able to see the bait’s wide glide movement when cranked with the rod tip down, as well as the surface breaking action when the bait is fished with pauses and accentuated with rod twitches.

While demonstrating the diverse ways to fish the prototype Fahad’s line suddenly went tight and as the rod loaded up, I saw a combination of surprise and panic emerge on his face.

“That looks like a pretty good fish,” I exclaimed. “It feels like a solid one, I sure hope the glue I used holds up,” Fahad responded as he desperately tried to guide the fish towards the boat. “Glue, as in super glue?” I inquired. Fahad nodded as the fish pulled drag.


Fahad unexpectedly catches a tank while demonstrating the TUG's various retrieves. How is that for a bait audition? Glad that glue held up!

The next minute was tense as the fish went on another run and Fahad tried to get both the fish and his hand-glued prototype to the surface. As I netted the five-pound fish Fahad finally let out a sigh of relief. “Super glue is my best friend today,” Fahad shouted as he held up the fish and then inspected the TUG for any leakage. “This is the first fish that I have ever caught on the prototype. I am so glad it held up. It would have been embarrassing if it blew apart,” Fahad joked.


Under the semi-translucent head the red object is the spring supported Glide Leap System weight

Over the next few hours, I learned more about what Fahad was looking to accomplish with the TUG but I had to wait a few more months before I was able to get two of the first production baits to start experiencing what the TUG was capable of for myself.


Baitsanity has always focused on delivering a complete experience for anglers...

Operation: Before delving into my personal fishing experience I have to comment on Baitsanity’s continued effort on delivering an entire experience to anglers. This starts with the packaging on all their higher baits and accessories, including the TUG. The Antidote TUG comes in a high-quality foam padded box with a graphic that pays homage to comics and the bait’s custom features. The original concept art was created by Fahad, and the high-quality packaging is more like something you would find guarding a smartphone than a swimbait.


...and that starts with high quality packaging. The TUG features a more whimsical design that hints at the mad-scientist design in this technical bait

Over the last few years Baitsanity has really stepped up their game when it comes to finishes. Some of the most intricate are highlighted on their Explorer line, and they have even partnered with different e-tailers both in the US and Japan to create some unique exclusives. The TUG’s finish isn’t quite as detailed as some of the painted examples on those Explorers but it makes up for it with a combination of both 3D scale elements, integrated carbon fiber components, and paintwork on top of the semi-translucent injected resin body. The result is a bait that shares both elements of the company’s Explorer and Antidote lines.


The weight moves back and forth as the bait is cast and retrieved

As I started fishing the TUG I quickly learned that there were many ways to impart action on the lure, and it wasn’t always intuitive. On most of my swimbaits I like using split rings or snaps to add that extra pivot point to the bait. Doing so on the Antidote TUG significantly changes the ability to impart lure movement, and especially if you are trying to generate the surface breaking action.


A look at the Bass pattern

If the fish are extremely aggressive, or there are signs of trout boiling, various surface or waking retrieves with the TUG can be deadly. To impart this surface or near-surface action, I found it best to use braided line with a direct tie. I prefer using 50 or 60lb. braid without a leader here for the most direct connection. Fished in this configuration there were three distinct ways to impart action on the lure, the easiest being a straight retrieve which will cause it to act like a subsurface wake right underneath the water. This requires a brisk and constant retrieve for the bait to sweep and you can mix in a few rod pops which can cause it to behave more erratically like a panicking trout.


The Antidote TUG comes with rotating hook hangers

The second action is a traditional topwater glide. To create this, I yo-yo the rod and crank in between this motion. Let the rod do the work and the TUG will glide with each surge and settle on the slack line as you pause between reel cranks.


Carbon fiber is also used for the pectoral fins. They not only look cool but also help reduce hook rash

The most challenging retrieve to generate but also the most effective when fish are actively feeding is the busting fish action. To create this top water popping action you need to move the rod more aggressively with an up and down motion as you crank, this will cause the bait to slide on top and even break the surface. The key to this action is maintaining speed and line tension to keep the head popping outside of the water. It is in this style where I could see, and feel, the sliding glide leap weight system come into play. The weight will move on the jerk causing a more aggressive action and a thumping sound. When fish are aggressive, this causes the bass to get really fired up and I’ve experienced multiple strikes, with fish hammering the bait and even witnessed wolfpacks competing for it. I had a few fish hit the TUG twice on hot summer days, and how they struck the lure so hard without getting hooked boggled my mind. But in most cases when fish bump the TUG I was able to convert them.


While the Surface Fish Busting action is great for days when fish are feeding up on top I also found the bait very good for subsurface retrieves with fluorocarbon lines. (Notice the hooks bending after extended use. I do recommend swapping out to premium Owner hooks)

One thing I did observe was that after a few good fish the hooks on the TUG would bend out. I never experienced a clean break, but there were numerous bent hooks on all the TUGs that I fished. I think the stock hooks are decent, but for those concerned about losing fish I would recommend switching them out to Owners right out of the box. The reason that I think the hooks face so much stress is due to the busting fish retrieve style. This particular retrieve puts a lot of impact stress on the hooks because you are often applying a lot of pressure to the line tight at the same time the fish hit the bait. Strikes and hooksets when fishing this retrieve usually occur simultaneously simply because the bait is being retrieved so quickly and are usually explosive, jarring, and very memorable.


An integrated magnet in the tail section positions the hook closer to the tail for rear strikes and also helps with reducing resistance when fishing surface retrieves

While the busting fish technique is one of the most interesting ways to fish the TUG I feel like it is also the most difficult to master. I have been fishing the bait for months and it still takes me time to get the cadence right to the point where I feel like I am delivering a more genuine feeding or fleeing action. It takes time to learn this technique, and I think this may be frustrating for some anglers that may desire a more straightforward retrieve and resulting lure action.


When fishing on the surface I like to tie directly to the bait with braid. When fishing subsurface I like to add a split ring and use a fluorocarbon leader and even adding tungsten weights

Next Section: Unlocking the TUG's potential....

 

   

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