VPR-PRO LBM... just another
spinnerbait?

Date: |
1/15/02 |
Tackle type: |
Lure |
Manufacturer: |
Competitive
Edge |
Reviewer: |
JIP |
Total Score: 8.0
Introduction:
Here at TT we use and test many different types of lures, and spinnerbaits
are one of the many choices we pick to test because there are an enormous amount
on the market. Almost all spinnerbaits are similar in design, but what are
the differences that separate them from being a lure that works well and
one that does not? I will be carefully examining every part of the VPR Pro
LBM Double Willow spinnerbait and putting it to test to see if this is just
another spinnerbait, or something really special.
VPR Pro Little Big
Man (LBM), Double Willow Specifications |
Colors/Patterns |
10
available with Double Willow |
Blade
Shape |
Willow |
Blade
Colors |
Gold,
Black, White, Chartreuse, Nickel |
Weight |
1/4 -
3/4oz. |
Features |
Anti-roll head, long shank wide gap hook, STAY-ON skirt keeper,
chip resistant paint, stainless steel ball bearing swivel, balanced light
wire |
MSRP |
$5.99 |
Impressions: If you are out shopping for a spinnerbait at a
local store or online and you take a quick glance at all of them, you will not
see much differences unless you take a closer look. That is how I viewed
the Little Big Man (LBM) Double Willow spinnerbait at first, before I had a real
opportunity to examine it.
 |
The LBM sports a
high quality Sampo swivel |
The LBM (1/2 ounce, Gold blades, Chartreuse/White/Blue pattern was the
one I first tested) uses a durable chip resistant paint for longer life. I
also noted that the paint and clear coat is quite smooth and reflective, along
with the attractive eyes, could be a plus to gain attention. The wire used
is very similar to other spinnerbaits, but Competitive Edge claims that it is a
"balanced light wire construction for maximum vibration." That I will
conclude after my field and lab tests. Size 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 Double Willow
leaf blades are used along with a Sampo stainless steel ball bearing swivel on
the larger blade. The LBM also uses a long shank wide gap Mustad hook that
is not razor sharp, but sharp enough.
Tests: While bass fishing, spinnerbaits are considered my
confidence bait. This past weekend I launched my float tube and headed out
field testing the LBM at a local lake. It was a really nice cold morning
where the water temperature was only 52 degrees Fahrenheit. All the fish
seemed to be sitting deep on the bottom either in the middle of the channel or
about 10 feet from shore. I started working the VPR Pro spinnerbait like I
would normally do with other types. Cast and do my 3 or 5 count, or let it
hit bottom before retrieving. The 1/2 ounce weight and the blades worked
good together as one, and I was able to get the LBM on the bottom quickly.
This is where this spinnerbait becomes especially useful, when the bass
are deep. I would be able to cast the Little Big Man towards shore and
then start rolling it slowly. The design of the LBM allowed me to fish the
bait along the bottom as it slopes downward and due to the unique head shape I
was able to retrieve the spinnerbait while it rolls over rocks and other
structure without giving me much resistance.
 |
The LBM dives down
quickly to where the bass are holding during winter allowing more
hookups |
The double willow leaf blades on the LBM were always spinning and would
never tangle up no matter what technique I used to cast or retrieve. The
blades do vibrate nicely and is balanced with the head.
After many casts on shore and hitting rocks under water, the durable
paint on the head was still in decent shape. The paint did have slight chips,
but not as much as I have seen in other brands. The paint remains intact
while the clear coat still shines.
The other factor that makes the VPR Pro spinnerbait stand out is that the
balance wire actually does something. When you need to work the
spinnerbait vertically the balance between the head and the blades allow it to
helicopter down evenly without one side being heavier; this helps the lure look
more attractive to the bass and even improve hook set. Note that the light
wire is light which did create some problems for the way I fish
spinnerbaits. Sometimes I like to cast the lure on the edge of shore or at
structures such as trees and rocks, and then slowing work the spinnerbait
similar to jigs on the bottom. The wire did bend out of shape a few
times after the impact with harder objects, but with wire baits you can just
bend it back quickly. But the wire is not as bad as some I have seen
before where even a 1 pound bass would mangle the spinnerbait to the point where
you cannot even bend it back.
 |
The precision
balance allows the spinnerbait to always swim
correctly |
Ratings:
LBM Double Willow
Ratings (?/10) |
Construction/Quality |
Decent components used. Mustad hook, thick coat of paint (but
chipped after fishing two days), elastic skirt, Sampo swivel. Light
wire is not great, but acceptable |
8 |
Performance |
The
1/2 oz. is useful for winter time fishing because the lure gets to the
bottom quickly. Like all spinnerbaits the LBM can cover a lot of
water in a short amount of time. Blades always spin |
9 |
Price |
Okay
price for a spinnerbait with decent components |
7 |
Features |
The
ball bearing swivel adds a lot to a spinnerbait |
7 |
Design
(Ergonomics) |
The
variety of sizes, patterns, and blade colors provide a good
coverage |
8 |
Application |
The
LBM is a good spinnerbait to find and hook fish in any season, especially
in the winter |
9 |
Total Score |
8.0 |
Pluses and Minuses:
Plus
Minus |
J
Fair price |
L
Light wire bends |
J
Balanced wire |
|
J
Sampo ball bearing swivel |
|
J
Durable paint |
|
J
Dives quickly |
|
Conclusion: Many of you were wondering if the Competitive Edge
VPR Pro Little Big Man spinnerbait would catch more fish or fishermen.
After extensive tests and close examination I would have to conclude that the
LBM is a spinnerbait that catches more fish which in turn catches more
fishermen. This spinnerbait is "just another spinnerbait" PLUS a little
more. If you are a spinnerbait type of person like me, the VPR Pro LBM is
definitely for you especially the Chartreuse/White/Blue colored pattern. It will
produce!
Have fun
and keep on fishin!
