Hard Bait Review

American Angling Gear Guide Review:

Ocean Lures Wounded Peanut Bunker

www.oceanlures.com

Reviewer: Captain Skip Montello

Date: Summer, 2005

Introduction: Ocean Saltwater Lures is a leading edge manufacturer of saltwater lures designed by fisherman and used by recreational fisherman and professional Charter Boat Captains alike. Ocean Lures uses state of the art technology in their manufacturing and the best materials for today’s fisherman. Whether you’re surfcasting or trolling for Stripers, Bluefish or pitching lures from a boat to Football Tuna or rolling Tarpon, Ocean Lures are the ones that might help you catch that Trophy fish.

Ocean Lures Wounded Peanut Bunker
Type	Saltwater big fish bait
Class	Sinking/suspending twitchbait
Colors and Patterns	Grey-blue bunker pattern with single siwash gray and green bucktail
Size	2 oz, 3 ˝” long
Hook type and sizes	5/0 x-tra strong single siwash hook w/bucktail.
Price	$12 - $17 range at retail

First Impressions: The Wounded Peanut Bunker (WPB) by Ocean Lures is designed to perform as a sub-surface twitchbait, meaning that all lure action is imparted by the angler. It’s like “matching the hatch”; the angler can move the bait to mimic or even better, display a different action all together that will provoke a strike. The shape and weight allow for exceptional cast distance as well as for close-in accuracy. I typically spool my reel with 30 lb braid backing followed by 100 -150’ of a monofilament line(lb test depends on target species). This line combination achieves distance, stealth and sensitivity which are extremely important when fishing artificial baits. The wounded peanut bunker is manufactured with the highest quality materials and components.The through wire connection at the nose to the hook/split ring and the high grade super hard finish, all speak to quality. The true to life graphics are designed to match up well with typical bunker baitfish. Note: The lures are American Made.

On the Water: The WPB became part of my light tackle arsenal for school sized tuna during the course of the phenomenal Tuna summer of 2005. I became aware of them through discussion with other tuna chasers. The frenzy feeding behavior of the small tuna takes place at the waters surface as the tuna push the baitfish up from the depths. The feeding tuna become much focused on the baitfish school and casting directly into the commotion worked well with the lure. At times, just allowing the bait to free-fall would trigger a strike, while other times, an erratic side to side twitch at or just beneath the surface would work. The good news is this lure is versatile and it allows the angler to work it to suit the particular feeding behavior. The Wounded Peanut Bunker was one of only two hard baits that were proven tuna catchers for our team. Aside from the school tuna, the lure also worked well for stripers and bluefish. I feel confident that the Ocean Lures WPB will catch most any game fish species. The angler need only provide the necessary lure action to imitate the baitfish. Captain Al Montello with a super school sized bluefin caught on the WPB The Ocean Lure- Wounded Peanut Bunker Construction-Quality The WPB is well made, durable, with excellent color and graphics. Will stand up to many hook ups.A through wire connects the hook to the split ring at the tail. 5.0 Performance The WPB is a fish catcher; stripers, bluefish and school tuna. The casting distance is exceptional and the twitch or free fall characteristics provide the angler with a variety of presentation possibilities. 4.9 Features The “through wire design” held up well with big fish, the true to life eyes and graphics added to the fish catching capability. 5.0 Functional Design The body shape/ contour, quality graphics and hook choice come together and balance well. (A variety of different sizes and lure weights would provide even greater angler and fish appeal) 4.6 Price Premium price, but worth it! 4.6 Application The WPB is an outstanding sub-surface “twitch” hardbait for any gamefish species. 5.0 Score:1-5(5=highest) Total Score 4.85 Plus Minus Outstanding design and features, saltwater ready Overall angling performance Excellent big fish hardbait Conclusion: The Ocean Lure WPB is built strong, performs well for a variety of game fish, and is a proven fish catcher! Get some and add them to your arsenal.