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Bring
Up the Lunkers With Gan Craft's S-Caper Topwater
(continued)
  Features:
S-Capers are available in both fixed-weight silent versions and models with
internal tungsten knockers. My test lure was configured without the noise
makers, but just like other baits in this series it boasts other notable
features like realistic detailing, robust hook hangars and split rings, strong
and sharp #2 Owner hooks, as well as a removable clip attached to the front line
tie.
This bait is all about the detailing.
Design and
Ergonomics:
I like the not-too-big sizing of the S-Caper. I do wish it was a tad lighter so
more rods could toss it, but that's not a big issue. Compared to the popular
Black Dog Lunker Punker, the Gan Craft weighs in about the same as a 5-inch
injected model, yet is less than half the weight of the 6-inch wood bait. You
won't need a specialized rod to throw the S-Caper—just one that can handle the
heft, yet still has at least a little flexibility in the tip. There's six colors
in the silent series and six colors in the rattling series, all available in the
same size of 5-1/2 inches.
Held up to light, the four fixed rear weights become visible.
Design & Ergonomics Ratings for
Gan Craft S-Caper
|
Bait to Bait Consistency (1-5) |
Weight (1-5) |
Realism (1-5) |
Available Sizes (1-3) |
Total |
Possible |
Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10) |
N/A |
|
|
|
10 |
13 |
|
What are you lookin'
at?
Application:
Pick up one of these for drop-shotting in deep water. Just kidding. Really
though, this is a nice buy if you want to do some big bass prospecting on the
surface. Due to the bait being big but not too big, this means that it'll also
appeal to the occasional smaller fish as well. I caught a couple 2-pounders on
it, but most bites were 3-pounds or better. If you're into chasing big stripers
or hunting down inshore fish like big jacks and snook, the S-Caper would be a
slick choice.
The underside is clean and smooth.
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):
|
Gan
Craft
S-Caper
Ratings
(?/10)
|
|
Construction/Quality |
Quality,
quality,
quality |
10 |
|
Performance |
Sweet
action
overall
but the
bait
took me
a bit of
extra
concentration
to
master |
8.4 |
|
Price |
Mine ran
$36.99....far
pricier
than
similarly-sized
and
weighted
products
like
Lucky
Craft's
big
Gunfish
135 or
an
Injected
Lunker
Punker |
5.5 |
|
Features |
All the
features
needed
for
success
and a
smart
internal
weighting
system |
9 |
|
Design
(Ergonomics) |
Comes in
only one
size but
there's
12
colors
and
rattling
and
non-rattling
versions
available |
7.69 |
|
Application |
Topwater
fishing
with an
emphasis
on
bigger
fish....don't
overlook
throwing
it in
deeper
water
since
its size
will
motivate
fish to
move a
bit more
to eat
it |
5 |
|
Total
Score
|
7.59 |
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
|
|
+ Well
made |
- For me
it
requires
added
concentration
to
maintain
a steady
action |
|
+
Fish-catching
action |
- Price |
|
+ Great
stock
hardware |
Mine ran
$36.99....far
pricier
than
similarly-sized
and
weighted
products
like
Lucky
Craft's
big
Gunfish
135 or
an
Injected
Lunker
Punker |
|
+
Rattling
and
non-rattling
available |
|
|
+ It's a
Gan
Craft! |
|
This nice specimen crushed the Gan Craft next to a bridge piling
Conclusion:
Catching bass is one thing, but catching them on topwater is ten times sweeter.
The Gan Craft S-Caper gives anglers a premium product that has demonstrated its
fish-catching prowess to me numerous times. If you live near waters that hold
some better-than-average fish, give a large bait like the S-Caper a shot and see
what you come up with!
Looking for the Gancraft S-Caper? Try
Tackle Warehouse
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