Beyond
Spybaiting: DUO Realis Jerkbait 100SP

Date: |
2/12/14 |
Tackle type: |
Lure |
Manufacturer: |
DUO |
Reviewer: |
Wolbugger |
Total Score: 8.08 -
GREAT
Introduction:
In the world of
bass fishing, there is always a hot new lure or technique introduced every year
that gains heaps of attention. In 2013, the technique of spybaiting caught on
throughout the United States, and the Spinbait 80 from Japan-based DUO basked in
the limelight. Sure, these minuscule offerings catch tons of fish, but they are
not the types of baits you'll find in most anglers' tackle boxes. In contrast, a
jerkbait is a very commonly used bait across the country, and it just so
happens DUO makes a pretty striking lineup of them! We selected one in
particular, the Realis Jerkbait 100SP, to see how it would fare in real-world
conditions. Will this scaled down version of the 120SP perform just as well?
DUO realis
Jerkbait
100SP
Specifications |
Type |
Suspending
jerkbait |
Depth |
0-5 feet |
Size |
3 7/8 inches |
Weight |
1/2oz. |
Hooks |
Owner #5 |
Colors/Patterns |
16 |
MSRP |
$12.99 |
Impressions:
I
can sum these baits up in just one word: beautiful. DUO is known for crafting
some of the finest baits around, and from a looks standpoint these will not
disappoint even the pickiest of anglers. Not only are the colors both vibrant
and eye-catching, there are a whopping 16 to choose from. It should be easy to
find a color that at least comes close to matching your local prey!

Introducing the Realis Jerkbait 100SP from DUO!
The internal
setup of the 100SP confused me at first. At the time of this writing, the lure
packaging touts a total of nine stainless steel rattles in five separate
chambers, while the DUO website indicates nine rattles total in three chambers.
Curiously, the description found on TackleWarehouse.com seems to be the one that
is actually correct. Using an LED light, I was able to clearly see the internals
of my “Half-Mirror Ayu” colored bait and can say with certainty that there are
four chambers (three large, one small) that each contain a single stainless
ball. Mystery solved! Three out of four balls sit in rather large cavities, thus
allowing them to create quite a bit of ruckus. Indeed, the bait is quite noisy
not unlike a lip-less crankbait.

Other than the rattle chambers there are two flat, fixed weights along the
inside of the belly that are said to improve both the startup and quality of the
action.
The profile is
a typical bait fish shape with the only difference being the “Flat Side Body”
design which is advertised as increasing flash and water disturbance. The head
of the bait features a sweet design with realistic eyes and a small diving bill
that allows it to dive to five feet.

The 100SP is “sized right” for general-purpose bassin'
Casting:
Throwing
the 100SP is not an easy task—it's a super easy task! Despite the lack of a
weight-transfer system, it casts extremely well regardless of the wind
direction. It's very stable as it sails through the air and I never experienced
any issues with it tumbling. You have to remember that this is a 1/2 ounce
jerkbait so it cuts through the wind well and is able to reach some good
distances. With the added heft, a medium-heavy crankbait or jerkbait rod is
ideal. I like it quite a bit with a G. Loomis CBR845.

Here's a picturesque place to fish the DUO.
Retrieve:
Something quite eye-opening about the 100SP is the fact that it has very little
water resistance. You can burn this thing as fast as you want and never get
fatigued or feel the need to go grab a reel with a lower gear ratio. Of course
it's not really made to be fished like that, but if you ever find yourself
throwing this bait at barracuda in the Florida Keys, you'll be pleased by its
ability to be easily reeled at high speeds.

(Bottom to top) Sexy Shad, Komochi Wakasagi, Half-Mirror Ayu
Next Section: Rip that bait!
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