
The Megabass Dark
Sleeper took the
market by storm with
a uniquely styled
new profile and
hidden hook design
Impressions:
The Dark Sleeper is
a cool looking bait,
the kind of lure
that you do a double
take at when you
first see it. Like
most Megabass lures
the Dark Sleeper
exhibits some superb
details in design,
including a hook
that is hidden
within the high
split dorsal fin,
and some of the best
finishes available
on a swimbait of
this size. Megabass
describes the
patterns on these
baits as “airbrushed
paintjobs,” and
patterns like the
Haze, Dark Shad, and
Mutsugorou are
surprisingly
detailed for a mass
produced bait
series.

The Dark Sleeper has
the profile of a
Sculpin or Goby, not
the usual shad and
bluegill profiles
found on most
swimbaits
Though compact in
size these lures are
fitted with a large
weight in the head
of the bait, so that
they get down
quickly and can be
fished with a bottom
bouncing action. The
Dark Sleeper is also
designed to be able
to be retrieved like
a more traditional
swimbait, with a
kicking paddle tail
action.

The bait is
available in a wide
range of patterns
including Clear Pink
Real World Tests:
I’ve been fish the
Megabass Dark
Sleeper swimbaits
for over a year now,
and wanted to
experience them
through each season
to see how fish
would respond to
them in varying
temperatures, and as
they transition from
different depths. I
started with three
primary patterns,
Dark Shad, Haze, and
Hanahaze, but have
since tried almost
every pattern in the
Megabass lineup.
Most of my tests
focused on the 1/4
to 3/4 ounce baits,
as the heavier 1
ounce version was
introduced more
recently.

Embedded within the
head is a large
embedded jighead
that helps the bait
swim naturally when
retrieved
Operation:
The Dark Sleeper was
originally designed
for targeting fish
that are holding
tight to structure,
and while it is
absolutely deadly in
this application it
would be a shame to
just use this lure
only for contact
fishing. What I
quickly discovered
is that this bait is
among the easiest
swimbaits to enjoy
success with,
because it is so
effective throughout
the water column.

When fished slowly
the Dark Sleeper can
be hopped like a jig
and does not hang up
easily
During testing I
caught more than two
thirds of my fish on
the Dark Sleeper
fishing it like a
jig, but there were
situations where a
straight retrieve
was enough to entice
bass chase and
commit.