More Questions About The Sammy

[tjulianc]

Has anyone tried the Sammy 115? Seems a little big for Ozark river smallies, but I've been surprised before by the size of fish I catch on big minnow type lures. I've caught a lot of small bass on a 4.5" Rogue which is the same length as the Sammy 115. Although the Sammy 115 has a bigger profile.

Also, I got a Sammy 85 last year and couldn't get it to walk properly. I remember reading somewhere that there is a modification that helps the lure walk better. Does anyone know what I'm talking about and how to go about doing this?

Thanks.

[Scott25.stl]

I never tried a 115. I also have trouble getting the 85 to "walk" effectively. It seems to be caused by a less than efficient balancing of the bait.

In this thread Al Agnew discusses modifying the Sammy 85 to make it easier to walk. You need to drill a hole, take out a rattle/weight, and fill in the bole with epoxy. I might need to try this out on mine.

http://forums.ozarkanglers.com/index.php?showtopic=26856

[MOsmallies]

Agreed...The Sammy 85 is too heavily weighted towards the tail so it sits almost like a long slip bobber and does not have great walking action right out of the package. I also use the 100 size which walks better right out of the package. The 115 will probably catch fish, and maybe some nice ones, but I don't think it's the "optimum" size for our ozark streams. You'll probably catch more and the same quality by fishing the 100 on our mid to large streams and the 85 on smaller creeks. Just my take.

Scott - Thanks for attaching that link, because I've been wanting to make that modification. It'll be tough drilling into a $15 bait, but it's equally frustrating having an expensive bait that doesn't work properly and catch fish as intended.

Paul

MOsmallies

[Smalliebigs]

I use these now instead of Sammies on streams but, I still like Sammies.......http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Cultiva_Zipn_Ziggy_325_13_oz/descpage-OCZNZ.html

A dull knife can make one of these walk 8 to 10 inches and the smallies eat them......Baby Bass and Shiner. I still use Sammies but, I just don't believe the hype and I don't feel that you should have to modify your plugs out of the box........that is a joke......crappy control measures on their part.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I like the 65's and the 100's. I don't know that the 115 would be too big. Anytime a bass comes up to hit a lure walking the dog they are in an agressive mood.

I use braid and nothing else for Sammie's. The fact that braid floats and has no stretch makes a difference in control.

[Mitch f]

It's funny, the quality control on the Lucky Craft lures is excellent, but some of the designs don't work so well. For instance, I've never liked the "live pointer" jerk bait with all the segments (see below). I know they are trying to make it more like a fluke, but it just doesn't catch fish for me (it's probably me) maybe there's a way to fish it that will kill the smallies though, but I don't know it. The same holds true for the shorter Sammy, doesn't glide at all. Give me a Rattling Chug Bug, A Sammy 100, and a buzzbait and that's all I'll ever need on topwater.

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/live_pointer.html

[Scott25.stl]

I agree. Quality control on a $15 lure needs to be much better. I'd have returned mine but I guess I got too lazy. Now I'm stuck trying to drill a hole in it to make it workable. That's some BS!

Nonetheless I'm going to try it because I think the Sammy is that good. I might try that other one though... maybe.

How does the 65 work in comparison the the 100 and 85?

[Gavin]

Lucky Craft makes some great baits, but the Sammy 85 is the stinker in the series..the 100 is very good and I like the Gunfish 95 alot..Live pointers suck.

[Scott25.stl]

Agreed...The Sammy 85 is too heavily weighted towards the tail so it sits almost like a long slip bobber and does not have great walking action right out of the package. I also use the 100 size which walks better right out of the package. The 115 will probably catch fish, and maybe some nice ones, but I don't think it's the "optimum" size for our ozark streams. You'll probably catch more and the same quality by fishing the 100 on our mid to large streams and the 85 on smaller creeks. Just my take.

Scott - Thanks for attaching that link, because I've been wanting to make that modification. It'll be tough drilling into a $15 bait, but it's equally frustrating having an expensive bait that doesn't work properly and catch fish as intended.

Paul

MOsmallies

No problem! And thanks to Al for figuring it out!

[Greasy B]

I use these now instead of Sammies on streams but, I still like Sammies.......http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Cultiva_Zipn_Ziggy_325_13_oz/descpage-OCZNZ.html

A dull knife can make one of these walk 8 to 10 inches and the smallies eat them......Baby Bass and Shiner. I still use Sammies but, I just don't believe the hype and I don't feel that you should have to modify your plugs out of the box........that is a joke......crappy control measures on their part.

Thanks for the link, I think I'll go this route rather than buying a poorly designed lucky craft.