The Fix is In : Lucky Craft's Real California Supreme 200 - Round 2

Total Score: 8.17 - BEST VALUE AWARD!

Introduction: Over three years ago, we shared with you our experience throwing then brand new at the time, Lucky Craft Real California Supreme 200. It is safe to say that bait fared the worst of any we had thrown in our history thanks to the fact it simply fell apart in the water. The following year, at ICAST, Lucky Craft USA President, Minoru Segawa, personally reassured us that the problem we experienced with the initial batch of baits (namely the poorly designed clips holding the bait together) had been resolved and insisted we take one of his clear bodied, unfinished, sample baits so we could see for ourselves.

Re-introducing Lucky Craft's Real California Supreme 200 big bait.

Because the bait was clear, I could easily inspect its joints and saw that the clips were indeed improved with longer tag ends preventing the spring clips from pulling out even when they compress. I told Mr. Segawa that the improvement looked good and agreed the bait should now hold up as originally intended placing the bait back down on the table as I spoke. Mr. Segawa picked the bait back up, placed it in my hand firmly and said, “no, fish it!” It’s been roughly two years since that time, but here now is our revised and completed review of the Real California Supreme 200 by Lucky Craft.

Impressions: Anyone who is familiar with our original article on this bait published back in January 29, 2008 will know I'm a fan of this bait's appearance but not necessarily the application of standard Lucky Craft colors on the bait itself. The detailing in this bait is extraordinary, but somehow color patterns like American Shad, one of my favorite Lucky Craft finishes, just don't translate to this bait. Fortunately, there are some trout patterns available as well as some other more subdued flavors, but we'd like to see more.

Back for more, can this bait deliver as promised the second time around?

The Fix: Our original review cycle of this bait was cut short back in 2008 due to poorly designed joint hardware. The tag ends on the spring clips connecting each section of the bait were too short, so when there was any type of stress at the joint where the response from the clip was to compress, they would do so making them susceptible to pulling out from the bait entirely which is what happened on our fateful cast. This issue has been resolve by extending those tag ends to the point where the clips will not pull out even when fully compressed - we know because we tried to pull the bait apart several times by compressing the clips with a pair of needlenose pliers and applying mild force to work the clips free. They would not come loose.

The process for this refresh began back in 2009.

The Real California Supreme 200 has a very good swimming motion although the joint between the first and second sections of the bait is a tad restricted.

The up and down freedom of the tail section allows this bait gives this bait some funk when asked to dance with an erratic retrieve.

Detailing is subtle but superb.

We took a couple of these baits down to the Amazon, but the Peacocks were not in the mood for experimental offerings this time around.

In preparation for the Amazon, we swapped out the two stock hooks on this bait with oversized Owner ST-56s. Surprisingly, these hooks had no affect on the bait's action (that's a good thing).

Look! Our first bait failed after a dozen casts. This bait has been used on and off for the last year and a half and the tail section is still there!