Wade Bourne: Freshwater predator fish (bass, bluegill, crappie, white bass, etc.) don't belong to the shark family, but they exhibit similar tendencies as this saltwater terror. These fish have a killer instinct when they see a helpless looking prey.



This is why Berkley's Atomic Teaser bait and a "hesitation retrieve" are so deadly at catching these fish. They can't help but strike it. The combination of this small tube jig's appearance and size and a gliding, hanging presentation tempts strikes even from fish that have turned up their noses at other lures.

For starters, anglers must use just the right tackle with this bait and presentation. My choice is an ultralight spinning rod and 4 lb. test monofilament line. The Atomic Teaser weighs 1/16 oz., and ultralight tackle is needed for adequate casting distance.

Cast this lure into a target zone, engage the reel, take up slack, and then just stop reeling. Hope the rod tip up while allowing the bait to settle. And watch the line! The only signal of a strike may be a slight twitch in the line.

After a few seconds, pull the bait upward with a sweep of the rod tip, reel up slack, and hesitate again. Continue this sweeping/hesitating action as the bait returns to the rodtip.

Again, the Berkley Atomic Teaser fished with a hesitation retrieve catches anything the feeds on minnows. It is a "dessert bait" that fish will still take after they've already eaten. When nothing else works, I'll go to the Teaser. Many are the days when I've turned a slow-bite day into one with lots of action with this lure and retrieve method.

 

 

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