Few lures have been around as long as the classic bucktail. These days we have so many choices when it comes to lures that bucktails sometimes go forgotten, collecting dust in some obscure corner of the tacklebox. That’s a shame, because bucktails are just as effective today as they’ve been for centuries. Whether you commonly chase speckled trout, spotted bass, or anything in-between, consider tossing a ‘tail and remember these three top bucktailing tricks.
- The hairs of a bucktail work much better for holding scents and attractants than smooth lures, thanks to all that extra surface area. Take advantage of this by smearing on some enticing additives. Goop that needs to be reapplied to a crankbait or plastic every five or 10 minutes will last for a half-hour or more.
- Bucktails don’t have a ton of action on their own, but are easily dressed up. The beautiful thing here is that they can be dressed with just about anything – a live minnow, a strip bait, a soft plastic, you name it. And each different enhancement will give the lure a different action, different color contrast, or different profile. Tie on a bucktail then rotate through different dressings and this allows you to experiment with multiple offerings without having to retie.
- Use a bucktail when you want to deliver a bait deep but the fish aren’t sitting right on the bottom. Let’s say jacks are suspended 10′ above a reef or wreck. If they were on bottom a baited fishfinder or egg sinker rig would be perfect, but because of the leaders, suspending these rigs can make it tough to feel bites and tough to work the ideal depth. Slap a chunk of bait on a bucktail, however, and you can jig it while feeling for every strike.
Now reach into that dark, dusty corner and grab out that bucktail. You won’t regret it – but the fish sure will!