Thread: FIELD TESTING THE TEXAS STAR AND THE SILVER LIGHTNING STINGER MINNOW photos

I conducted a field test of the Texas Star minnow created by Bob Hinkle (Snake River) and my own Shipahoy 41 handcrafted Silver lightning Stinger Minnows yesterday at Lake Purdy in Alabama. These were the only two soft plastic baits that were used. No live bait was allowed in this testing. Crappie nibbles or liquid scent was used as needed. My home made scent had some Gulp, peanut oil, anise, sugar and garlic salt heated in a microwave to liquify all ingredients.

The weather was 55 degrees to start with an expected high of 84 degrees. Winds were out of the southeast at about 15 knots so there was a chop on the water. The method of fishing was single pole long line trolling. I was in a rental 16' Jon Boat from the marina with only a32 pound thrust trolling motor to navigate the entire lake. For those of you familiar with Lake Purdy I launched from the marina, Trolled to the Grants Mill Bridge area, to the Dam, and back to the marina. Trolling speed was .5 miles per hour.

These are the bait of choice for this field test: The Texas Star Monkey Milk) and the Silver Lightning Stinger Minnow (Clear glitter and Chartreuse tail) The jig heads were 1/8 ounce in pink or chartreuse only and the fishing method was long line trolling.






I put on my life jacket and prepared to fish. You should always wear your PFD (Personal Floatation Device and tell someone where you will be fishing. This is for your own safety.





Slowly I began to fill the livewell with fish. Both of the lures tested caught Crappie, Spotted Bass, Catfish, and even Shellcracker. The biggest crappie of the day was this 15 inch crappie.





At the end of the test period these were the results and my observations. Both of these lures tested were very effective and will put fish in the boat and food on your table. They are excellent for long line trolling. I personally caught 32 Crappie. Many were about 7 inches, but I boated 16 keepers over 11 inches in length. I caught 7 Spotted Bass and 1 Channel Catfish with these lures too. I also caught about 10 shellcracker who just could not resist trying to mess with the lure too. I am Shipahoy41 and I approve this message.

Bob, I make this scent up for my own personal use. I repurposed a bottle I had in the shed that held two cycle motor oil in it. Washed the bottle with soap and boiling water and rinsed several times. Cut a sprayer stem so that is fits the shorter bottle. Then I made a label because I am older (71.5 years ) and may forget the ingredients one day. Heated the mixture in a microwave so the sugar, koolaid, and garlic salts would melt. Then I bottled it using a funnel. Shake well and spray it on your lures before fishing them on each cast. I named the scent "YIPPEE" many years ago because that was when I caught my first two pounder and I yelled "YIPPEE!"

I know some of you might want to copy the label but that is NOT OK. You and others on c.com may copy the ingredients but you have to make your own labels.