Magdraft 8''
The Megabass Magdraft is available in several sizes, 6, 8 and 10 inches. I chose the 8-inch model, which at 20.4 centimetres is the ideal size. The 6-inch is very good, but it doesn't allow you to select the size of pike, while the 10-inch, which is a very relevant size for going after the biggest pikes, requires the equipment and mindset to go with it.
The 8-inch size is a happy medium, capable of moving even the biggest pikes, yet still pleasant to use.
It is fitted with a treble hook, itself mounted on a rolling swivel, which is inserted into a ventral slot and held in position by a magnet. As a result, when a fish bites into it, the hook pops out of the lure, keeping it away from the pike's teeth and preventing the latter from leaning on it to try and unhook itself.
There's no need to add a second triple, and I recommend leaving this set-up as it is. While this may create a few misses, it has several advantages.
When you catch a fish, there's no second hook wandering around outside its mouth, likely to get caught in the weeds and accumulate a large quantity. What's more, it can tear the landing net when the fish rolls into it, or if you catch the fish by hand, it makes the operation more complicated.
Another advantage is that large pike will suck the lure in completely, while small pike will take it the wrong way. Leaving only one hook on the lure will limit the catch of smaller pike.
The Megabass lure has an interesting longevity feature in the thickness of its paddle. The paddle is thick, which gives it a chance of not being cut completely by a pike, and thus of being repaired.
This type of lure needs to be looked after, and you must take the time to glue each cut back together after use, using a glue designed for this purpose. Cuts grow quickly at the slightest stress, and those in the tail can be critical, so to prolong the life of such a lure, it must be maintained.
As usual, Ultimate Fishing, thanks to its partnership with Megabass, offers this Japanese lure in colors specially created for our biotopes. The French Pearl, Mat Tiger and Shiny Perch are perfect for pike fishing!
Using Magdraft
I like to use this lure in two diametrically opposed situations.
The first situation is when the water is tinted, with the paddle creating strong vibrations, the pike seems to locate the lure and attack it.
However, its preferred use is in areas with a lot of vegetation on the bottom, to pass over it. When the water is very clear, in midsummer or autumn, gently bring this lure in line to trigger wary, follower fish from a distance.
I also use it on muskellunge, a more wary fish than pike, and this Magdraft helps me out.
It sinks slowly and can be used in depths from 50 centimetres to 2 metres. It accepts the addition of a lead clip for use at greater depths, up to 4 or 6 metres.
My opinion
It took me a while to take the plunge and invest so much in a soft lure, especially one designed for pike. It may seem like heresy, but let's face it: this Magdraft is terribly effective!
When I get the feeling that a big pike is around, the Magdraft 8" is one of the lures I'll take out, as it manages to decide the most wary fish, which can sulk hard lures at times, without me knowing why.
Clearly a big pike lure, its only problem is its price and the sharp teeth of pikes. I can well understand that, between investing a good sum in a hard lure or in a soft lure, from a durability point of view, you'd go for the former.
I myself was slow to take the step of investing around forty euros in a soft lure for pike, because it seemed like money down the drain. Be that as it may, you can't blame Megabass for the price of the lure, because you mustn't forget that it's basically a lure designed for black bass. It's the way it's been adapted for pike fishing that makes it fragile.
Once you've passed this psychological threshold, you have to admit that a big soft lure is more effective than many hard lures, not least because of the vibrations it emits. Having one or two like the Magdraft or similar is clearly a must-have when hard lures don't work.
Magdraft 8''
- Brand: Megabass
- Type: Soft swimbait
- Length: 20.4 centimetres
- Weight: 84 grams
- Suggested retail price: 49.20 euros
- Distributor France : Ultimate Fishing
