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Lure Review

 


Spro's Mike McClelland McStick 95 Rip Bait

 

Date: 1/7/18
Tackle Type: Lure
Manufacturer: Spro
Reviewer: Cal






Total Score: 7.58 - GOOD

Introduction:
When jerkbait season rolls around Spro has a plethora of baits from which to choose all branded behind our good friend and BASS Elite Series Pro Mike McClelland. McClelland is a jerk bait fanatic so you know any bait with his name on it has to perform. Today, we take a look at a jerkbait built with a slightly smaller profile than usual and designed to be effective in highly pressured waters. Here's our take on Spro's Mike McClelland McStick 95.

 

Spro McStick 95 Specifications

Type Rip/Jerk Bait
Length 95mm ~3.75"
Weight 3/8 oz (0.345 on our digital scale)
Depth 3-5 feet
Material Wood or Plastic
Colors 8
Hooks 3x Gamakatsu #5
MSRP $11.49

 

Impressions: Spro's McStick 95 is a jerkbait measuring just under four inches at three and three quarters of an inch (3 3/4"). It is spec'd at three eighths of an ounce (3/8oz) or 0.375 oz in decimals and weighed in on our scales with an average between three baits of 0.345 oz. It comes equipped with three #5 Gamakatsu round bend hooks.


Introducing Spro's McStick 95.

Real World Tests: I pulled out a few of my McStick 95 baits on a recent testing trip and them out aboard my Shimano Conquest 51 and Megabass Hien GTC combo. My Conquest 51 was spooled with forty pound (40lb) Gliss fishing line in high vis yellow.


Like most Spro baits, the McStick 95 has good detailing around the head.

Castability: Like most rip baits, the McStick 95 benefits from an internal weight transfer system that sends weighted bearings to the back of the bait in the direction of your cast. This shift in momentum really helps to propel your bait in the direction of your cast helping with both distance and accuracy. On board the Hien GTC matched with a Shimano Conquest 51 this meant really snappy casts that helped test the limits of that Gliss fishing line.

Rigged and ready to go aboard my old school Megabass Hien GTC.

Dive Time: Let the bait splash land, wait for the ripples to tie down, then click over to engage the reel on your rod tip twitching retrieve reveals a bait that has very good resistance in the water, diving down to about three or four feet with the line I was using. The bait may have reached a five foot running depth but it's always difficult to know for sure.


The McStick 95 comes equipped with two #5 Gamakatsu round bend trebles.

In motion, the McStick 95 has a small degree of side to side action, and a lot of top to bottom wobble sending off a lot of flash as you move it through the water. Pause the bait, and the McStick suspends in a neutral position responding only to the random currents in the water. The bait looks very enticing on the pause.


A closer look at the diving bill on the McStick 95.

When the fish slam this bait on the pause (and it's always on the pause, isn't it?) those #5 round bend Gamakatsu hooks do an excellent job of holding onto the fish until you can get it to the boat for a nice photo op and return to the water.


This bait is only available in 8 colors - excluding this one that seems to have been discontinued.

Design/Ergonomics: Surprisingly, the McStick 95 has a very limited color palette of only eight (8) patterns. They are all very popular and common colors, but the original McStick 110, for example, is available in eighteen (18) different colors. Perhaps this bait is not as popular due to its smaller size.


Spro's McStick 95 retails for $11.49.

Price & Application: The McStick 95 retails for $11.49 and is a good choice when the bite gets tough and you want to change things up or when you're chasing smallies or spotted bass. This is the perfect sized rip bait for those crazy little spots.

Ratings:

Spro McStick 95 Ratings (?/10)

Construction/Quality Good consistency bait to bait though ours weighed a little less than what's specified from Spro 8
Performance Really good suspending action 7.5
Price Just across that $10 threshold 7.5
Features Sharp, Gamakatsu hooks 7.5
Design (Ergonomics) Only 8 available colors 7
Application More of a finesse jerkbait, but effective nonetheless 8

Total Score

7.58
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
+ Compact size casts really well - Only 8 colors
+ Excellent suspending "action"  
+ Premium, sharp hooks  


Prefer rip baits that are 4.25" or longer? You're missing out because the McStick 95 is great fun - especially on lighter tackle!

Conclusion: It's interesting this bait is only available in eight colors but that probably speaks to its popularity. For whatever reason, anglers want their rip baits at four and a quarter inches (4.25") or it doesn't feel like they're fishing a bass-sized bait. I rather enjoy downsizing my gear (including rod and reel) to fish a bait this size on occasion because the battle is even more fun when you're finesse ripping. I can also assure you, the next time Zander and I head to a lake full of spotted bass, I will have some McStick 95s packed away in my tackle box.

 

Looking for Spro McStick 95s? Try TackleWarehouse


 

   

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