Deraball
A mixture of a ping-pong ball and a globe fish, the Deraball doesn't look like much to be found in our European fresh waters. However, having been in the Illex catalog for several years, it has already proved its effectiveness.
The target for which it was designed is black bass, but it also works well on pike, especially for early-season fishing, proving that you don't always have to look for mimicry, because originality pays off!
It's made entirely of soft plastic and has no internal reinforcement, apart from a tube through which the line passes to attach the hook.
This principle means you have to re-tie the knot every time you want to use it. For pike fishing, I always leave a steel leader attached to the lure, which I connect to the line body.
With its thick plastic coating and detachable hook, it resists pike teeth well and won't tear. Like all plastic lures, however, you should take the time to repair it to extend its life.
It's just the finer tail that's at risk if a fish attacks it. For black-bass fishing, there's no need to worry about longevity.
Animation
The Deraball is a sinking lure, but its range of use is close to the surface. Due to its shape and density, it rises easily to the surface when called upon. Bringing it back slowly, at a constant speed, with the rod high, to prospect above the weed beds, is the use that gives the best results.
Taken this way, it creates a buzzing effect on the surface, similar to that of a frog. To continue in this vein, I recommend choosing darker colors, which have always given me better results.
My opinion
The Deraball is an easy-to-use, easy-to-cast lure. With a design straight out of a cartoon, it's the perfect candidate to introduce a child to lure fishing in a fun way.
For those in the know, don't let the strange shape stop you, because it really does work very well. I think its effectiveness lies in its highly visible shape, the vibrations it emits, and its tail, which buzzes on the surface.
