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Let's Get Real! - Sly Guy Lures
Replica Gill Swimbaits (continued)
 Price &
Applications: In
the Sly Guy arsenal
the Replica Gills
are what I
personally view as
Clayton's signature
baits, and
definitely what I
would throw if I
knew there were
resident bluegill in
the water. The
Replica Gills and
7.5" Replica Shiner
are suitable
replacements for
jerkbaits, while the
Sly 9” Replica trout
is a more
traditional wide
gliding swimbait
that delivers a more
traditional S
motion, while the
12.5” Replica trout
is designed to be
even more wide
gliding.
The tail is made of
rubber and is
semi-rigid. I was
worried how well it
would hold up to
viscous strikes but
through a season it
has remained intact
I purchased my 5.9"
Replica Gill
secondhand for $120
dollars, which is a
reasonable price for
a used bait in near mint
condition. As I was
researching this bait
I learned from
Clayton that he is
in the process of
discontinuing the
5.9" bait but let me know
that the 7.5"
version which
retails for $134.99
will continue to
exist for a long
time.
As we discovered
during testing the
5.9" Replica is an
extremely effective
bait, and ideal for
situations where
fish are in the mood
chase something a
little smaller, and
even more erratic.
The 7.5" Replica
Gill delivers a
smoother, more
genuine, looking
swimming action, and
it always pained me
to hand Cal back his
bait after a day of
watching it get
crushed. However, I
was pleased to learn
that Clayton has been
hard at work on a
replacement for the
5.9" bait, and will
soon introduce a 6"
Replica Gill that
will be a carbon
copy of the 7.5"
gill, only smaller,
and that it will swim
exactly like its
larger sibling.
The Replica 5.9"
Gill is on the way
out and will soon be
replaced with a new
6" version that
follows the wider
profile of the
current 7.5" bait.
I'd still recommend
the 5.9" if you like
to fish gill baits
quickly or prefer
more erratic action
Even though it is on
the way out
I have had so much
success with the
5.9" Replica
Gill that I
would still
recommend this
soon to be legacy
version, and there
are times,
especially in the
hot summer months where the
more erratic
swimming action can
be an asset. A
smaller bluegill can
sometimes act more
erratic when
nervous, or pursued,
for example. At the
same time when I
test swam the larger
7.5" versions it was
hard to deny how
amazing these larger
baits look in
the water. Fish
react to the 7.5"
Replica Gill
because it looks, and
swims, more
seductively.
Ratings:
(We've
re-calibrated our
ratings standard for
2008 and have
included a key at
the bottom of the
following matrix as
a guide):
|
Sly
Guy
5.9"
(and
7.5")
Replica
Gill Swimbait
Ratings
(?/10)
|
|
Construction/Quality |
Sly Guy
Lures
are a
great
example
of a
quality
resin
build
that
exhibits
attention
to
detail
and
artistry.
Both the
5.9" and
7.5"
baits
deliver
a
similar
level of
quality
construction
and the
paint
finishes
are
exceptional
|
9
(9) |
|
Performance |
There
are
times
that the
smaller
5.9"
would
outfish
the
larger
7.5"
bait but
overall
the
larger
bait
delivers
a
smoother,
more
consistent,
and
genuine
swimming
action.
You can
fish
both of
these
baits
very
quickly
when the
bass are
aggressive,
and slow
down
retrieves
when
temps
cool, or
when the
water is
stained.
Performance
of these
baits in
crystal
clear
water
was very
strong |
8
(9) |
|
Price |
Retailing
for a
retail
price of
$134.99
the
currently
available
7.5"
Replica
Gill is
not
cheap
but
absolutely
worth
the
money
when you
consider
how much
work
goes
into
each
bait,
and the
quality
of this
build.
The
biggest
challenge
in
acquiring
one is
not the
price
but the
availability |
8
(8) |
|
Features |
In
general
I find
wooden
swimbaits
deliver
the best
swimming
action,
but the
7.5"
Replica
Gill's
action
is
extremely
impressive.
I was
worried
about
the
tails
coming
off, or
getting
bent,
after
strikes
because
they are
semi-rigid,
but they
have
proved
to be
quite
durable.
The
paint
finishes
on these
baits
are
exceptional
and have
also
held up
surprisingly
well.
Looking
at what
is
currently
available
I think
Clayton's
airbrush
skills
have
only
improved
over
time,
and the
newer
baits
are more
realistic
looking
than
ever,
and why
the
newer
7.5"
baits
exhibit
a little
more
depth in
finish |
8.5 (9) |
|
Design
(Ergonomics) |
Very
easy to
fish due
to
reasonable
sizes
and
weights.
These
are
great
swimbaits
to build
confidence
on,
especially
the slow
and
moderate
sink
models
that can
be
fished a
bit
quicker |
9
(9) |
|
Application |
Great
for any
body of
water
where
there
are
resident
panfish
and
bluegill.
These
baits
are
great 3
out of
the four
seasons
and can
be used
for
bass,
stripers,
and more |
9
(9) |
|
Total
Score
|
8.58
(8.83) |
Ratings
Key:
1 =
terrible
: 2 =
poor : 3
=
lacking
: 4 =
sub par
: 5 =
mediocre
: 6 =
fair : 7
= good :
8 =
great :
9 =
excellent
: 10 =
unbelievable!
For More
Details
of the
updated
rating
system
visit
our
explanation
here |
Pluses and Minuses:
Plus |
Minus |
|
+
Extremely
realistic
profiles and
paint
finishes.
These
definitely
fit into the
"fishable
work of art"
category |
- Like many
custom baits
these
swimbaits
are not
cheap but
when you
consider all
the work
that goes
into each
bait this is
understandable |
|
+
No two baits
are exactly
alike and
they have
subtle
differences
that make
them unique |
-
Limited
availability
(I've still
only
been able to
procure
one bait,
and it was
secondhand) |
|
+
The
definition
of custom.
Each bait is
handmade,
hand
painted, and
hand tested |
|
|
+
Both the
5.9" and
7.5" baits
are not that
heavy and
less
intimidating
to throw
than
traditional
glides |
|
|
+
Can be
fished fast
or slow,
depending on
the
conditions
and bait
sink rates |
|
|
+
Overall
strong build
that is
arguably one
of the most
realistic
looking
baits on the
market (7.5"
exhibits
more genuine
swimming
action) |
|
Conclusion:
One of the things that I enjoy so much about custom made
lures is learning more about the background, design
philosophy, and unique attributes behind each bait. It was
obvious to me that the Sly Guy Lure offerings looked really
lifelike, but after fishing them did I start to really
understand the nuances behind these handmade baits.
The
Replica Gills are all about delivering a genuine offering to predators, an
immediately recognizable profile, lifelike action, and realistic paint scheme.
The fact that the already effective 5.9" wasn't "real" enough, and is being
replaced by an upcoming new 6" (scaled down version of the 7.5"), speaks to
Clayton's desire to continue to refine the authentic features, and performance,
of these swimbaits.
When it comes to lifelike
swimbaits the Replica Gills, and especially the 7.5" version, are right up there
with the best custom baits. They are the "real" deal for fans of gill glidebaits
As I wrapped up tests on the
Replica Gills I reached out to Clayton to see if
he would be willing
to share any
additional
information about
any other baits he
is developing for
2021 and beyond. He
replied "upcoming
baits this year will
include the new
version of the 6”
Replica Gill and it
will most likely
include a 7.5”
Replica Bass. Of
course, wakes and
cranks are always a
possibility." Based
on everything I've
experienced with the
current Replica
baits I can't wait
to see how these new
baits will look, and
swim. To stay on top
of these baits, and
all of Clayton's
bait drops, I
recommend following
his updates on the
Sly Guy Lures
Instagram,
where he often
shares details on
some of the latest
designs and finishes
he is in the process
of developing.
No doubt these
upcoming baits will likely continue to deliver the realistic profiles, action,
and artistic paintwork that Sly is known for.
Looking for Handmade Sly Guy Lures?
Check out the
Company's Website
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