MagBay StickBait Abalone Topwater Lure

Description

The MagBay StickBait Abalone 8 in is a fast-sinking topwater bait that comes rigged with hooks. It is cast out, allowed to drop, and then worked back with quick rod pulls that make it splash, pop and jolt across the surface — the commotion is the whole point.

A stickbait lure that sinks fast and works on top

That combination is unusual and it is what makes this bait useful. Because it sinks fast you can get it down to fish holding deeper; because a sharp rod pull brings it up splashing and popping, you can also work the surface with the same lure. One bait covers two techniques without changing anything on the rod.

Features

• Fast sinking — reaches fish that sit below a floating popper.
• Splash, pop and jolt action — produced with a quick rod pull.
• Pure resin mould — solid body, not a hollow shell.
• Abalone shell inlay — real shell, which is why the flash changes as it turns.
• Hooks included — supplied ready to fish.
• Five colours — MagBay finishes these for looks as well as function.
• Made in the USA.

Specifications

How to work a stickbait lure

Cast, let it sink to the depth you want, then retrieve with short sharp rod pulls rather than a steady wind. Each pull is what creates the splash and the pop. Vary how long you let it drop before starting: that single change is usually what finds the fish on a given day.

Where a stickbait lure fits

Offshore and inshore casting for predatory fish — MagBay names big tuna and giant trevally as the range. It suits anglers who cast at working fish rather than trolling a spread, and it packs small enough that two or three colours live easily in a box.

Caring for your stickbait lure

Rinse in fresh water after every trip; salt is what dulls the hooks and the finish. Dry it fully before it goes back in the box, and check the hook points with a fingernail before each session — a fast-sinking bait spends time near structure and blunts hooks faster than a trolled lure does.

Why a stickbait lure gets refused

A stickbait lure fails for two reasons, and neither of them is the lure. The first is a retrieve with no pauses in it: the bait needs to stop, sink a little and start again, because the strike almost always comes on the restart. The second is tackle that cannot move it, since a soft rod tip absorbs the pull that should have reached the bait, so it swims quietly instead of jolting. Fix the rhythm first and the rod second. Once both are right, the same cast that was ignored all morning tends to get eaten within a few pulls.

Frequently asked questions

Does it come with hooks?
Yes. This version is supplied with hooks fitted.

Is it a topwater or a sinking lure?
Both, and that is the design. It sinks fast, and a quick rod pull brings it up to splash and pop on the surface.

What is the abalone inlay for?
It is real shell set into the resin body. MagBay uses it for the natural, shifting flash that a printed finish cannot reproduce.

What size fish is it for?
MagBay states anything from big tuna to giant trevally will be attracted.

Where do I check licence rules?
Through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For releasing fish, NOAA publishes catch-and-release best practices.

Do you ship this stickbait lure free in the US?
Yes, free shipping within the United States on every order. Browse the rest of our fishing gear or the full store.