Part 2

The Mack’s Lure Promise Keeper catches its share of fish just the way it comes out of the box.  I want to be very clear about that as I begin this second column dealing with these dandy little lures.

I devoted my previous column to telling why it is so effective.  If you’ve not read that column, I urge you to do so.  You’ll find it here in my column archives.  I wound up that column by saying I’d found a way that can, on occasions, make the Promise Keeper even more productive, especially for bass.

I’ve done the same thing in the past with certain lures produced by other companies.  Remember the old Bomber Waterdog bass plugs?  Some of the best largemouth bass I’ve ever put in the boat came on my revised version of these lures,

Another example is the Arbogast Jitterbug.  Years ago I found a way to use the skirt from a Hula Popper lure on the rear end of my Jitterbugs.  Now and then it really works.

You’ll note I’ve not used the word “always.”  That’s because fish, especially foxy critters like bass and walleye, don’t “always” do anything.  I learned that lesson long ago.  Be that as it may, sometimes just a slight change or two in a lure or a technique get results when nothing else does.

Here's what I do with some of my Promise Keepers.  Now and then this is a combination smallmouth bass just can't leave alone.

The changes I make with some of my Promise Keepers aren’t all that involved.  If you’re familiar with these lures you’re aware they come equipped with a small treble hook or a small single hook.  The first thing I do is snip the wire that holds thie hook in place.

Once I remove the hook I straighten out the wire that runs through the bait.  Sometimes I remove the bottom portion of the lure’s mid section.  The next step is to attach a single hook.  I always make sure that the single hook I attach rides point up.

Attaching the single hook is the only part of the procedure that is a bit tricky.  I’ve done it by wrapping the hook in place with fly tying thread and applying waterproof glue.  I’ve also used epoxy to hold the hook in place.

Experienced bass fishermen will have no problem knowing why I want the hook point to ride upright.  What this revised version of the Promise Keeper does is let me throw the lure into cover where a treble hook would be almost certain to hang up.

The final touch I add to the lure is something else bass fishermen will recognize.  Before I fish this single hooked Promise Keeper I slide a small plastic grub up on the hook.  I love the result and it’s easy to tell you why.

Now I have the Smile Blade up front to add a little wiggle and waggle and the Wedding Ring in the center to add its fish-attracting flash.  I also now have that little grub back there doing its thing at the tail end of the bait.

Smallmouth bass are just plain fun to catch.  If your lures don't get 'em one way, it sometimes helps to give them a little difference appearance.

Smallmouth bass are suckers for this set up some of the time.  Largemouth will also whack it.  The same is true of large crappie if you’ll fish it where they are located with an extremely slow retrieve.

My favorite grubs for use with this set up are the curly tailed jobs.  Try to find grubs that are 2-inches in length.  Make sure they have  good tail action.  Also be sure you have light, dark and in between shades.
Finally, when you slide your grub in place on the single hooked Promise Keeper be sure that the free end of the grub points down.  There’s a reason for this. 

When the lure is pulled through the water the tail straightens out.  It will continue to function even if it bumps the bottom now and then if the tail points down.  Slide it on with the tail pointing up and the tail ceases to function when the belly of of the bait touches bottom cover.

That’s the size of it.  As I said in the beginning of this two part series, I enjoy working with my tackle.  Sometimes I come up with something that works, sometimes I don’t.

I’ve just finished telling you about one approach that does get the job done.

-end-