Shimano Lucanus Jigs Rock for Rocks... - California Fishing

Homeslice · 04-26-2008, 11:08 PM

I'm no pro of the "fishing-as deep as the gates of hell" thing but I can recognize a product that produces fish and well. This golf clap goes to Shimano's pricey yet performing various-colored iron lure poop, the Lucanus Jig. There's no doubt the company went overboard on making the design on this lure the most elaborate of all rock jigs but I'm damn glad they did. This lure's look f@cking beautiful and the construction is far from mediocre. The core is made of lead alloy composite, making it solid and smooth. The design held up well on the bottom against rocks and teeth, leaving no scratches. The transparent strips with the string tails replicated squid strips while string tails bring the attention of a spinner. Two hooks tied to the ends of the a solid braid line that was formed inside a small shaft to the body of the lead core. Unfortunetly, it wasn't solid enough and split. I replaced it with a five inch dual-hook mono leader which worked even better than its former. It worked just as well as the boats squid strips, if not better. Add a strip to each hook and it works even better. The magic color for the rock fish was Orange while Green followed up quite well but comes in a range of colors for all kinds of fish.

Compared to irons, this jig is a sure fired way of getting more attention.

As for myself, Monterey is full of lings and rockfish and I wouldn't mind making these a regular lure of choice there. Damn pricey at about $20 for a 8-10oz but what would you expect from lure jewels?

SLICE TIP: Ask your extended family to buy you a bunch in different colors and sizes for Christmas. They'd make a great addition to the holiday tree.

http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshim...igpreview.html
http://www.fishermansheadquarters.co...no_Lucanus.htm

Homeslice · 04-27-2008, 12:12 AM

BONUS: The jig has one loop above the core and one loop below to allow drop shot rigging. Tie a lower weight leader on the bottom and you greatly reduse the risk of loosing the jig to traps.

Wish we knew this before we lost the orange.

jodi805 · 04-27-2008, 02:19 AM

so did you fish this mother or what bro!!wheres the pics!!comon doggy!!sho me the $$$!!

BeachBear · 04-27-2008, 10:38 AM

IMHO the hooks it comes with are too small, I swap them out for 3/0 hooks. I know fish are suppose to nibble and nibble, gather attention, then they hook themselves. But, if a biigger more aggressive fish bites first, then I want to catch it. Even if you wait doesn't guarantee that you catch the big fish.

The smaller hooks also let sanddabs attach easily, when you really want something else.

Great review and write up HOMESLICE

NAVI · 07-21-2008, 11:10 AM

I have tried them 3 times now. I personaly have dropped more fish using this lure than any other jig. They are made very well, especialy the paint. But as far as using them to catch fluke, I will stay with my 6 spro bucktails. I may try and use them again after I pick up some trailer hooks. Maybe that will make the differance.

travisjolley · 01-03-2009, 10:38 AM

nice looking lure

mickeysindahous · 01-03-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisjolley

nice looking lure

Looks gorgeous. Makes you wanna put 'em up on the wall as displays...which is where they belong. I bought 4 of 'em. I lost many fish, caught plenty of dinks and was just overall not happy with 'em. You pretty much have to strip 'em with squid to get good results, which are the results that you would normally get with a hook & squid.

Don't go buying them, save your money, buy hooks instead. Or you can buy mine for 50% of their price.

cst · 01-03-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

You pretty much have to strip 'em with squid to get good results, which are the results that you would normally get with a hook & squid.

I'm sorry but I dont think that's true. I dont recall ever catching a thing on a bare jax jig. Pin some squid on it though and it's magic. Definately outfished a squid strip on a hook.

I'm sure the same applies to that.

With that logic, hooks in general suck because if you dont tip them with something they wont catch you any fish.

mickeysindahous · 01-03-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cst

I'm sorry but I dont think that's true. I dont recall ever catching a thing on a bare jax jig. Pin some squid on it though and it's magic. Definately outfished a squid strip on a hook.

I'm sure the same applies to that.

With that logic, hooks in general suck because if you dont tip them with something they wont catch you any fish.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guessing you don't own 'em and have never used them. Your logic is solid, however the point I failed to mention is that the hooks on the Lucanus are much too small for my preference. The hookup-miss ratio is much too high due to the size of the hooks. Taking matters into your own hands by replacing the hooks is nearly impossible with the existing hardware. Sure, you can cough up another $6 to get a set of larger replacement hooks.

Shimano claims the hooks are the "perfect" size when using their recommended setup which includes a Calcutta TE 400LJV ($499)

, and a Tescata Jig Rod ($199). With such setup, all you need to do is reel (not set the hook) slowly and to ensure the fish hooks himself properly. On my book...BORING!!!!

You may even need to purchase some replacement skirts ($19). When was the last time you had to spend $26 worth of terminal tackle for a JIG?!

Knowing that now, I'd rather stick to heavy Tady's, Jax, or just a plain ol' heavy sinker & hooks with squid, 'dines or chovies . This way (if using braid) I can feel the taps, set the hook and have fun missing or achieving a hook set.

For the record, there are 2 sole reasons I ended up with a couple lucanus jigs:
(1) My son thought they were COOL!
(2) Tackle Whoredom beat my better judgment.

Some tackle is designed to catch fish, while other is designed to catch Anglers. I think we know where this one lands.

cst · 01-03-2009, 04:14 PM

Send them over my way

And, no, I haven't ever used them.

FISH_N_FRENZY · 01-05-2009, 10:39 AM

Good to know...always nice to read up on a product before going out and buying it....thanks for the review guys. It really pays to find some factual information and to know.

Ifishtoolittle · 06-19-2009, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickeysindahous

I'm going to go out on a limb and guessing you don't own 'em and have never used them. Your logic is solid, however the point I failed to mention is that the hooks on the Lucanus are much too small for my preference. The hookup-miss ratio is much too high due to the size of the hooks. Taking matters into your own hands by replacing the hooks is nearly impossible with the existing hardware. Sure, you can cough up another $6 to get a set of larger replacement hooks.

Shimano claims the hooks are the "perfect" size when using their recommended setup which includes a Calcutta TE 400LJV ($499)

, and a Tescata Jig Rod ($199). With such setup, all you need to do is reel (not set the hook) slowly and to ensure the fish hooks himself properly. On my book...BORING!!!!

You may even need to purchase some replacement skirts ($19). When was the last time you had to spend $26 worth of terminal tackle for a JIG?!

Knowing that now, I'd rather stick to heavy Tady's, Jax, or just a plain ol' heavy sinker & hooks with squid, 'dines or chovies . This way (if using braid) I can feel the taps, set the hook and have fun missing or achieving a hook set.

For the record, there are 2 sole reasons I ended up with a couple lucanus jigs:
(1) My son thought they were COOL!
(2) Tackle Whoredom beat my better judgment.

Some tackle is designed to catch fish, while other is designed to catch Anglers. I think we know where this one lands.

Were you using a rod with a soft tapered tip? And were using using a smooth reel with braid and a short mono topshot? If not maybe that's why the jigs weren't working that well.

mickeysindahous · 06-19-2009, 12:10 AM

No, I wasn't fishing with a $700 setup. I figure why should I need all that if guys with a Walmart rod, two hooks, a sinker and two strips of squid are catching more fish at twice the speed as a Loose Anus jig?

Badfish2 · 06-19-2009, 02:03 AM

with all my freshwater stuff, I end up downsizing the hooks..

Ifishtoolittle · 06-19-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickeysindahous

No, I wasn't fishing with a $700 setup. I figure why should I need all that if guys with a Walmart rod, two hooks, a sinker and two strips of squid are catching more fish at twice the speed as a Loose Anus jig?

Well I didn't mean like did you use hte $700 set-up what I meant was were you using a set-up similar to that of the Lucanus rig. Sorry if I caused any confusion. And yeah sometimes pieces of meat will outfish the Lucanus, but I keep the Lucanus just in case.