The different versions of Balam
There are three versions of the Balam, a floating version available in two sizes (245 mm and 300 mm) and a sinking version available only in 300 mm. Personally, I choose between these three versions depending on the environment in which I'm going to practice.
- The floating 245 mm
Being the lightest of the three versions, this is the one I'm going to use whenever I need to be precise. Indeed, at 104 grams, it can be used with an XH-powered rod, which remains relatively easy to handle in most cases. This will enable us to make short, discreet casts under the rod, which will be most suitable when fishing short distances on well-marked spots.
I recommend the 245 mm if you want to fish a small river, a pond or specific spots such as a border of foliage, drowned trees or clumps of grass.
- The floating 300 mm
When fishing large areas where it's impossible to know exactly where the fish are, I go for a 300 mm Balam.
I particularly like the 300 float for riverbank prospecting. Large shallow grass beds are typical posts where you can prospect subsurface. I'll be able to take advantage of the giant silhouette of this lure moving just below the surface to be sure of being spotted from a distance by the big pike in the vegetation. As it floats, I'll be able to slow my retrieve to a crawl, even taking long pauses over obstacles (decisive on some days!). Of course, this also works on lakes. We'll see later in the article, but you can adjust the swimming depth by adding weights to certain rings on the lure.
- The flowing 300 mm
Rated 300 S for "Sinking", in my opinion this is the most suitable version of the Balam for pike fishing in France. In fact, with its 11 grams of extra sinker, it sinks smoothly and allows you to prospect below the surface as well as 70 centimetres below. On a cast of around 30 metres, in an area without current, and with a medium-speed retrieve as soon as you land, the swimming depth is around 50 centimetres below the surface.
The floating version, by comparison, has a tail that flaps at the surface. If you're fishing large environments and you're sure you'll need to pass at least 50 centimetres below the surface, the 300 sinking version will be the most suitable. Again, you can also add extra weight to this version if required.
