Kluber 180 SF
The swimming action of the Kluber 180 SF is quite minimalist, consisting of a slight waddle of the lure. The head and tail follow the retrieve axis imposed by the bib, with only the central joint moving from left to right.
It's a lure made for slow retrieves, because if it's brought back too quickly, this waddle won't perform, ditto if there's too much current.
As soon as it is retrieved, it dives rapidly to a depth of 1.5 metres and rises again slowly when not retrieved.
The idea is to imitate a slow-swimming fish, which is easy prey for a predator.
The colors currently on offer are geared towards black-bass fishing, including the classic japan shad, for which I have fallen in love, and which is reminiscent of bleak.
With its reflective plate in the middle and transparent hull revealing blue and violet reflections, it's perfect for fishing in clear waters.
The hooks are fitted with feathers to help them move as the fish are sucked in.
Use
Black bass and pike are the priority targets for this Kluber 180 SF, although given its flexible tail, I would reserve it for black bass fishing only.
Given the depth at which this lure dives, it's best to use it in areas 2 to 4 metres deep. It's not a lure you'd use to prospect edges quickly, but it's well suited to prospecting along marked breaks or deep lakes, such as quarries, in a meticulous manner.
My opinion
At the start of the new year, Illex is offering several out-of-catalog references, including the Kluber 180 SF. I had never heard of this lure. It turns out to be a pleasant surprise, especially for deep-water black-bass fishing, in early spring during pre-spawn, or during autumn.
You need to animate it very slowly with pauses, which corresponds well to fishing at this time of year, when the waters are cold.
It allows you to fish the same areas as with minnow jerkbaits, but with a less aggressive, slower action, which is welcome, especially when the fish are amorphous.
The only hitch is that for ?80, a minimum of one extra tail would have been nice, especially as there's only one screw to undo to change it.
What's more, it doesn't seem to be available for sale separately. A pity, because if pike are around, they're likely to damage it quickly.
In any case, the kluber 180 SF is available in limited quantities, so it's now or never to get your hands on it.
