|
Creature Fever: Causing Havoc with the Berkley Hawk Hawg
| Date: |
1/9/13 |
| Tackle type: |
Lure |
| Manufacturer: |
Berkley |
| Reviewer: |
Wolbugger |
Total Score: 7.96 -
GOOD
Introduction: Berkley is by far one of the most prominent names in
fishing. Boasting an enormous product lineup and impressive array of sponsored
pros, it's hard not to notice the familiar red Berkley logo from time to time.
Taking the input from leading Bass pros, their Havoc lineup of soft baits are
designed to professional standards and specifications. New for 2012, the Bobby
Lane designed Hawk Hawg is one such bait. Tackle Tour is afflicted with a
serious case of “Creature Fever”, so let's go in depth to see what makes this
creature bait both appealing and unique!
|
Berkley
Havoc
Hawk
Hawg
Plastic
Specifications |
|
Type |
Creature
Bait |
|
Material |
Plastic |
|
Depth |
Any |
|
Size |
5"
|
|
Colors/Patterns |
15 |
|
MSRP |
$3.00-$3.49
per pack |
Impressions:
The Havoc Hawk Hawg (say that 3 times
fast!) is available in just a 5” size. This size makes it appealing to Bass of
all sizes and also allows it to be rigged in several different ways. Although
it is marketed as being an excellent bait for Texas and Carolina rigs, it also
makes a good jig trailer option when cut down to size.
The baits are
packaged in a resealable plastic bag.
The plastic on
the Hawk Hawg of course is not as soft as a hand poured bait, but this helps
keep the cost down and the durability up. The plastic stays in place on the
hook very well, and is good at resisting slipping or tearing even through heavy
duty flipping of gnarly cover.
Regarding the
design, the Hawk Hawg will remind you of the other “hog” style baits on the
market, but with it's own unique tweaks. The long, curled legs face outwards
for maximum kicking action. Above these legs are 2 large flaps that give added
body and action to the bottom half of the bait. Moving towards the head, the
majority of the body section features pronounced ribs that offer an interesting
texture and add vibration when pulling over and through cover. The body also
features thin wings that help the bait glide on the fall and add even more to
the silhouette of this bait.
Green pumpkin, watermelon candy, and black with red fleck. Salt is absent both
on and inside these baits.
Real World
Tests: The Berkley Havoc Hawk Hawg was subjected to flipping, pitching,
and being dragged over rocks in several south Florida lakes and canals. Armed
with a handful of different colors, testing was conducted in bodies of water
featuring clarity from 5 feet of visibility to downright dirty. While braided
line was the primary choice, 14lb mono was utilized for clearer water and
sparser cover.
Pitching the bait into the thick stuff!
Casting:
The Hawk Hawg is a long, somewhat thin bait that lends itself well to casting.
Even with the large rear flaps, the rest of the bait doesn't provide a terrible
amount of wind resistance to impede casting ability. Most anglers will likely
choose to use this bait while pitching, flipping, or Carolina rigging. While it
could be fished weightless on a lighter setup if desired, it is more effective
and easier to use in conjunction with a weight.
The wings give the bait a slightly more erratic behavior.
Next Section: Creating Havoc with a drag
 |
