Koppers
LiveTarget Golden Shiner
Specifications |
Class |
Sinking |
Species |
Golden Shiner |
Size |
GS70SK: 2 7/8 in
GS80SK: 3 1/8 in |
Weight |
GS70SK: 1/2 oz
GS80SK: 3/4 oz |
Cranking Depth |
GS70SK: 0-7 ft
GS80SK: 0-10 ft |
Patterns Available |
201:
Silver/Blue
202: Silver/Black |
Price |
$11.99 - $12.99 |
About Koppers: Before we get into the lure,
let's learn a little more about this fairly new company. Grant Koppers is
a seasoned professional sportfishing guide in the Niagara River Region. He
founded Koppers Fishing in 2007 and has been developing unique, artificial lures
that match the hatch ever since. Case in point? A quick survey through Koppers' product line, reveals not a single lure painted in more than a handful of color patterns. Instead, what you will find are lures offered in only a few sizes and patterns that resemble the actual baitfish at the
right season.

Koppers LiveTarget Golden Shiner
(silver/blue) in their attractive packaging
Impressions: I was first
introduced to Koppers fishing lures a little over a year ago and at that
time only saw photos of the baits. Even the photos really
impressed me as the patterns and finishes appeared unbelievably realistic. Then,
this year at ICAST I was finally able to get my hands on these lures for a close
up inspection, and now of course, here we are with our first review of their product.
The photos of the Koppers Golden
Shiner are right on. The finish is
done with extreme care and includes the finest details as the company's goal is to
replicate the real baitfish with their products, matching the hatch in not
just color tones during different seasons but of actual size and swimming motion
of the lure.

Koppers produces a lipless
crankbait that resembles the real Golden Shiner
The Golden Shiner is a lipless crank that takes on
a profile of a real Shiner. There are only two available, ultra-realistic
patterns: Silver with Black back or
Silver with Blue back. Koppers
goes further by getting down to the nitty-gritty details. Around the head you'll
notice how the actual patterns encompass the eyes. The black or blue back is
finished with a gradual tone rather than what you might see in other lipless
lures that are solid in color. The body also has scale-like patterns that are as
real as it gets. And even the fins are exact replicas with the proper
color and placement on the lipless crank. Words just can't describe everything
about this lure so it's a good thing we include photographs to show just how impressive this Koppers Golden Shiner really is.
Complete Rig
for Koppers Golden Shiner |
Rod |
AiRRUS Spectra AFT |
Reel |
Pflueger Patriarch |
Line |
12
lb. Trilene Fluorocarbon |
Field Tests: The Golden Shiner, Notemigonus crysoleucas, can be found
over most of Eastern North America from Nova Scotia
down to Florida. It's a bit more rare in the Central region but is also thriving in the
West, especially in Arizona and California.

The packaging isn't only designed
to attract but has information about the baitfish, how to apply the lure, and
more
One of our favorite test waters, the California
Delta, holds an abundance of this bait fish which makes testing this product for by both
Bass and Stripers in actual "match the hatch" conditions on the Delta a no brainer. In other regions Bass, Stripers, Walleye, Trout,
Northern Pike, and Muskie feed on the Golden Shiner.
LIVETARGET
System: Koppers developed what they call a LiveTarget System where anglers need to first identify
which species they are hunting. Then, with the help of the Koppers Gamefish
chart (provided within the packaging of each lure), anglers determine what's a suitable Target bait.
Then each Target should be used like a tool to find active and inactive fish. The LiveTarget System consists of
four different styles: 1) Searching tool (Golden Shiner hatch), 2) Deflection
tool (Crawfish hatch), 3) Deflection tool (Yellow Perch hatch), and 4) Shimmy
tool (Shad hatch)

Even small fish attack the
LiveTarget
Each Target performs differently and is designed
to offer a very specific action, speed, sound, diving depth, buoyancy, and water
displacement. For an in-depth description of the four styles, please visit
Koppersfishing.com.

Koppers uses premium Daiichi hooks on their lures
Casting: Being a lipless lure the Koppers
Golden Shiner flies effortlessly to its targeted location. With the weight of
1/2 or 3/4 ounce many outfits will be able to fling this lure quite easily with distance and accuracy. My rig, which
consisted of the Airrus Spectra AFT and Pflueger Patriarch spooled with 12 pound
Trilene Fluorocarbon line, was able to cast the Golden Shiner far and accurately to tight
spots in and around structure.