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Bearpaws Handpoured Baits

“A long-time secret of the pros” – Lets see if this one is true.


Data for Review

Date – June, 2004 to August, 2004
Manufacturer – Bearpaws Custom Baits – Walden, NY
Reviewed by – Andrew


Reviewed Baits


4" Lazy Stick


5" Lazy Stick


6" Slick Stick

BearPaws Hand-Poured baits were first in use by me during June, 2004. I received them free as samples. The only baits that have been in extensive use this year were the Lazy Stick and Slick Stick.


About Bearpaw Baits

Hand-poured baits have been sought-after by tournament and regular anglers. The action, colors, size and texture can be custom-made to match the forage of your favorite gamefish species. Bearpaws baits have great floatation quality along with a soft texture that gives each bait a lifelike action. These baits are specifically designed for the angler to keep the bait in the strike-zone.

Bearpaw is an all-customized company which allows the angler to choose whichever color he/she desires. There are about 130 creative colors/ patterns that can be chosen from to form your special bait that will match the water & forage base.

Bearpaws are created by slowly heating a batter of customized plastic, to let the ingredients maintain their consistency. The Bearpaw process allows scents to soak into the plastic, rather than evaporating into the air. Each batter is slowly poured into its mold to prevent any air pockets and deformities. Once the cooling process is finished, each bait is hand-trimmed to rid any excess plastic and is inspected for any deformities.

Like what Mr. Bearpaw says; “If I won’t fish with it, you won’t fish with it.”


Complete Set-up for Review during the 2004 Season



Rod – 6.5ft Rapala Long Cast series (6.5ft/ med action)
Reel – Quantum Pulse 30
Line – 8lb P-Line CXX X-Tra Strong (moss green)

Out on the Water (Casting, Durability & Presentation)

Casting & Durability

During June, 2004, The only samples I used were the 6” Slick stick and 4” Lazy stick. Out of the two, my favorite was the Slick Stick. Compared with most baits that are used as finesse worms & jerkbaits, the casting was good, considering that I was using 8lb copolymer line, which is bulkier compared with regular monofilaments.

The durability of the Slick Stick is amazing!!!

During a June, 2004 outing on my famous Lake Pescado in Northern Wisconsin, I easily went through 15 Largemouth Bass on only ONE lure! To this day, I still have the same exact bait. Can you believe that?



Largemouth Bass caught on the 6-inch Slick Stick. (Color # 67/ Gold Mine)

Here are the facts: Each bait is hand-poured and is nothing compared with the conventional plastic worm such as Berkley & Zoom. Each hand-poured bait has a high density of plastic unlike the major brands. This is due to a very thick batter of plastic that is used during the heating process.

As far as the Lazy stick goes, it is poor compared with YUM Dingers and Yamamoto Senkos. The casting is nearly the same as the mentioned baits, but there is one major difference, and that is the poor sinking ratio. The Dinger and Senko are well-known for their sinking capabilities. The Lazy Stick is more of a floatant-type of a bait that is better suited as a finesse worm and is much lighter. Nonetheless, the shape is the exact same as a Dinger & Senko.


Presentation

While fishing these reviewed baits, the best way to fish both the Lazy Stick and Slick Stick was with the use of a plain worm hook and working each bait as a jerkbait. If I needed any additional weight or if I was fishing water with a depth greater than 7ft, I would use either a Gamakatsu Jobee pro hook, Owner Ultra head jig, or Slider head jig. The maximum weight that was used was only 1/8oz.



Special Features

I can only mention one thing. That is MEGASTRIKE.

MegaStrike is an attractant that is created with the proper balance of Amino Acids and proteins to make the fish strike, hold onto and ingest the scent.

The research made by MegaStrike indicates that fish need to consume specific amino acids and proteins to survive. MegaStrike is scientifically formulated to work in conjunction with the fishes Chemo receptors and Olfactory Glands.

Unlike those spray formulas, Megastrike Fish Attractant comes in a gel form that doesn't wash off. There is no wasted product as in the use of sprays, nor any carpets ruined by over spray. One tube of MegaStrike Fish Attractant will outlast 5 cans of spray scent and less money will be spent for more fish caught. It stays on the baits so you don't have to reapply it every 2-3 casts (depending on water temperatures, researchers and reviewers have had the scent on lures for several days). It doesn't have a bad odor like some of those other scents.


Reviewed BearPaw Ratings (0/5)


Construction & Quality – The durability and lasting-period of each bait is outstanding. The action on other Bearpaw products is poor due to the thick batter used during the creation process. I’ll let other fishermen figure this last statement out themselves. The main bright-spot is the durability and just the good overall action from the Slick Stick and Lazy Stick - 4

On The Water Uses – Good for finesse fishing. Very good baits for Bass during the spawn period and when fishing shallow water. My only complaint is the poor sinking speed of the Lazy Stick – 4


Design (ergonomics) – Design is plain and simple. What the company is really missing out on are its own designs, and should not be relying on ideas from other baits made by famous brands. I have praise for the addition of the MegaStrike attractant - 3.5

Presentation – Very effective when fished like a regular swimming worm, or as a jerkbait. Use a “reel-pause-jerk” action and you will have success. Worked best on a plain worm hook by Eagle Claw, Mustad, or Gamakatsu. – 4.5

Price – I felt that the price was somewhat high, especially for a company that isn’t very famous yet. In the business of fishing, you need to make a profit in some way. - 4

Total Score - - -  4


Positive and Negative Thoughts


Positive
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MegaStrike attractant
Excellent durability
Great action (Slick Stick)
Excellent colors and patterns are well-thought of
Most baits can be customized according to the anglers needs


Negative
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Little-to-none action found in certain baits (Stiff)
Designs aren’t very creative
Price is a bit high, but what can you do?