The year 2020 has seen the emergence of a trend in the fishing of predators, that of the more systematic use of a lure that has nothing new: the bladed jig. Ah yes, the novelty 2020 is that we say bladed jig from now on, no more chatterbait. And for good reason, it is a registered trademark and distributed exclusively by the American Z-Man. Respect of the intellectual property obliges.
A bladed jig with broc
Several years ago, Thomas Vogels, the Product Manager of Illex, in collaboration with his pro-staff, released a bladed jig specially developed for pike fishing as evidenced by its wide range (wider than most bladed jigs), the size of the hook and the section of its iron without forgetting its range of colors divided between colors targeting pike and others more typical of black bass
A reworked version for 2021
For its return, the Crazy Crusher does not observe any major changes (wide articulated blade and presented at 45°, wide silicone skirt) but some evolutions are nevertheless to be noted. This new version, available only in 14g, has been particularly reviewed in terms of finishing as shown by the work done on the details of the weighted head. I said "weighted head" because another novelty is the absence of lead in the constitution of this new Crazy Crusher, the head being made of a Bismuth-Tin alloy, a material inert in the aquatic environment and therefore more respectful of the environment.
Implementation
The Crazy Crusher has a wide range of vibrations which makes it a great reaction lure to use for powerfishing to cover a maximum of ground in a minimum of time and when you need to wake up fish buried deep in the water, especially in weeds.
Even if its weight of 14g predestines it to shallow water fishing and therefore to a certain seasonality (from spring to early autumn), nothing prevents it from being used differently than a simple spinning rod and thus to move more slowly and more deeply. It can be used in cold winter waters to "shake" numb pikes!
A MH to H power rod, with an action that retains enough flexibility to absorb both the vibrations of the lure as well as the often violent attacks on this type of lure that are very attractive, will do the job very well.
Another lure that will spice up your "light" pike approaches and that, as is characteristic of the Bladed Jig family, has an unbeatable size/presence ratio. Combined with a Dexter Eel 140, the Crazy Crusher is a Bladed Jig that should have a place in your pike box!
