Introducing Optimum Baits' Line Through (LT)
The primary difference between the LT and BLT are their respective sizes of four and three quarters of an inch and three and a half inches. Also the BLT (baby line through) come in a package of two baits versus the LT (line through) which comes in a package of only one. Both versions come with a single treble hook so you can tie up and fish right out of the package.
Optimum Baby Line Through Specifications |
| Type |
Soft Bodied Swimbait |
| Depth |
Bottom |
| Class |
Sinker |
| Size (Weight) |
3 1/2" ( 1/2oz ), 4 3/4 ( 1.1oz) |
| Colors/Patterns |
7 Colors |
| MSRP |
$4.99 |
Action: Like the Titan, the LT's tail kicks well at all speeds with little to no body roll. It's a rather easy bait to fish and the BLT especially can be pitched in and around emergent structure like dock pilings, tree stumps, and standing timber. For those who prefer soft landings, the BLT is one bait that can be delivered in this manner and it's even small enough to fish on spinning tackle rather easily.
...and Baby Line Through (BLT)
Viewed in relatively clear water, the larger LT looks like a large tadpole. I found this really quite interesting. The larger LT is also easily waked on the surface if you begin your retrieve shortly after splash down similar to fishing a buzzbait. Just click over and begin your retrieve and the LT's tail creates a fine disturbance over the surface of the water as the bait's bulky body clears the way. It's really rather impressive. Kill you retrieve, and the bait will sink right to the bottom, pick up your retrieve again midway down, and the LT swims right back towards you with no issues.
These baits feature a familiar line through design...
Fall Rate: The LT baits from Optimum are both relatively light so their sink rate in the water is not as abrupt as some of the other baits in this article though certainly not slow either. Both sink in a head down position at right around one foot per second or slightly less than this rate.
... accessed through the nose here.
Application: Given the small size of the BLT, this is really a bait you can throw any time any where. Hopped off the bottom it is a very effective injured shad
imitator and as mentioned above, the larger LT, especially in the "Bass" color really looks like a big, fat tadpole swimming in the water - very enticing.
A familiar paddletail gives the bait its action.
Features:
It's all in the bait's name. The LT and BLT are all about the line through head design allowing you to pass your fishing line through the baits head, tie on a treble hook and have the bait free to slide up your line after a fish is hooked removing the bait from the fighting equation and giving you a better chance of landing your fish. The benefit this particular line-through product has over the others? It's a little smaller than others we've seen making it more appealing to the non-big bait fishing crowd.
The bait is very soft and compliant.
Ratings:
Optimum Baby Line Through
Ratings (?/10) |
|
Construction/Quality |
The line through ports were clear on all our baits and very easy to use. The baits themselves were solid with no crooked tails. |
7.5 |
|
Performance |
Baits swim well out of the package |
8 |
|
Price |
Very reasonable |
8 |
|
Features |
Line through design makes a lot of sense |
8 |
|
Design (Ergonomics) |
Detailing of the bait leaves a lot to be desired from a realism perspective |
7 |
|
Application |
From top (waked) to bottom (hopped), the LT's cover a wide range of applications |
9 |
Total Score |
7.92 |
Ratings Key: Ratings Key:
1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable!
(For a detailed explanation of the ratings go here)
|
Pluses and Minuses:
Plus |
Minus |
|
J
Very easy to rig |
L
Not the prettiest bait in the bunch |
|
J
Affordably priced |
|
|
J
Good Color Selections |
|
|
J
Line through hole is well made and always clear |
|
Rigged and
ready to go
with one
point of the
hook
imbedded in
the body.
Conclusion: The new LT baits from Optimum hold a lot of potential all in their size, build quality and actions. Detailing of the bait may not be our favorite, but the finishes should meet a broad range of requirements and their ease of use is undeniable. The BLT in particular should create a lot of noise given its small size and
spinning tackle friendly weight and profile.
Looking for the
Optimum Baby Line Through? Try
TackleWarehouse.com
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Section: Black Dog Bait's Weedslinger 
