Strike Pro
Finesse Walking Stick 85
Specifications |
Type |
Stick bait |
Class |
Top water |
Material |
Plastic |
Colors/Patterns |
10
available |
Size |
3
5/16" (5/16oz) |
Hook
sizes |
#6 |
Price |
$5.97 |
Impressions: Having fished many top water
techniques throughout my career, a stick bait has always been one of the
techniques I hold close to my heart when it comes to targeting fish that are
actively pursuing baitfish. Having much
success in the past with the all-famous Zara Spook, I proceeded to investigate new
designs that would hopefully enhance my topwater catch ratio even further.

Introducing the Strike Pro Finesse
Walking Stick for active top water action
Taking a first look at the Strike Pro Finesse
Walking Stick, it's a completely different design then the traditional Spook. The Finesse Walking Stick has an
arced bottom, an indented flat mouth, and a
much slimmer profile. And of course, you can't miss the premium coating
that Strike Pro incorporates onto all their tournament quality lures.
Complete Rig
for Finesse Walking Stick 85 |
Rod |
AiRRUS Co-MATRiX (AS661M) |
Reel |
Quantum Hypercast Ultra (HPX20) |
Line |
12
lb. Sufix DNA |
Field Tests: The Finesse Walking Stick was designed to allow anglers to walk-the-dog
with ease. To test this contemporary lure we set out in search
for this design's primary target, largemouth bass, and other aggressive fish that
target surface prey with gusto.

The thin profile and overall shape
flies through the air and cruises on the surface of the water smoothly and
effectively
Casting: To test the Strike Pro Finesse Walking Stick 85,
spinning gear was used with 12 and 8 lb test monofilament. Tossing this
thin profile lure was simple with the 12 lb test using Quantum's new Hypercast
Ultra but even better when it was tied onto 8 lb test. The nicely
contoured body is both slim and aerodynamic. Inside its shell is a
rattling system that holds two sizeable bb's that help contribute to the
weight of the lure for long and accurate casts.
Retrieving: Working this lure has to be one of the most fun means in
which to fish for bass. This lure isn't something you can you just toss and
retrieve. The angler must work the Walking Stick effectively to be
successful. Because of its exact molding and shape, the Finesse Walking
Stick does make the technique of "walk-the-dog" easier than the traditional cigar
style lures.

Not just a neat side to side
action, the Finesse Walking Stick also spits and rattles
There are a few ways I like to make this lure run,
and the very first one I would use when the water surface is calm is just walking it
back to the boat, simply working the Finesse Walking Stick in a constant zigzag
pattern. You can also try to vary your retrieve by including pauses or
more intense twitches. Depending on the surface action, I normally work this lure
with a medium speed and have had much success on bringing fish up even if they down deep. If the fish aren't exploding underneath your lure, definitely slow down, pause,
and allow the lure to sit at a 45 degree angle, where some fish interpret
the lure as a weak or wounded fish and commit to a strike.
What's absolutely fun is when you see bait fish
breaking the surface of the water. This is where the Strike Pro top water
bait works well. In this situation I would make a quick cast and start retrieving the Finesse Walking Stick fast. I mean really fast, creating the
zigzag pattern and a lot more splashing, kicking, and jumping action, basically
making as much surface commotion as possible. In
many situations with bass, both large and smallmouth, and even stripers, I have
had them chase the lure and strike at it multiple times, even leaping out of the
water with its mouth wide open, shooting up after the lure that I have sent jumping a few
inches out of the water.

After using this lure for a while,
you'll notice some scratches on the side caused my the sharp VMC hooks.
You can barely see the scratches in this picture thanks to the nice coating
Strike Pro uses
Aside from its eye-catching surface tango, the Finesse
Walking Stick also spits like a popper. But the mouth design does not
resemble traditional poppers with deep concave mouths. This lure has a
indented flat mouth that allows it to spit when walked, but not enough
resistance to disturb the superior side to side action. Too add to the
audible attractiveness, the Strike Pro lure employs a rattling system that
produces a respectable clicking sound.
While retrieving with the side to side walking
technique, you might
encounter the line getting caught on the front hook, but here's something to try. I have tried both tying the line straight onto the lure or using the Rapala knot
with a small loop to prevent the hook from catching the fishing line, and have had
much success with the lure's walk-the-dog action. Or simply use a line
that does not sink as fast. Monofilament line does the best when it comes
to walking the lure properly, as braided and fluorocarbon lines doesn't have
enough stretch when twitched. If you like to retrieve and pause, allowing
the lure to sit, your best bet is not to use a knot that clamps down on the
hanger directly because it will make this thin profile lure sit slightly tilted to one side.

This top water lure is awesome for
largemouth, smallmouth, and much more. This striper fell victim to the
walk-the-dog zigzag action
Durability: Having previously tested two other Strike Pro lures, I am
seeing a pattern here, and it's a good one. All the lures made by Strike
Pro have 8 coats of paint and precise hand detailing. These intricate coats
do a
good job at protecting the lure and its layers of fine finishes. But with
any lure you jerk side to side, the hooks are bound to scratch the body of
the bait. I have seen some lures take a beating while others do relatively
well. The Finesse Walking Stick is one that faired well
and only received minor scratches, not even enough
to see the shell of the lure yet. To prevent this from happening on any lure, especially
the more expensive ones, you can apply an additional layer of clear epoxy, but
make sure to
smooth it out to its original contour to prevent the added layer from affecting
the lure's performance.