In the News
News, Press Releases and Announcements from Drifter Tackle
Field and Stream, August 2003 – in his article “Muskie Hunt”, author Scott Bestul writes that “Crankbaits are good searching lures, as the speed of retrieval can be altered to change both action and running depth. They are most effective in lakes with deep, clear water. Among the top choices are Believers,……”
Mid West Outdoors, August 2003 – in his column “Muskie Matters”, author Gregg Thomas writes about attacking channel areas and states, “When attacking these channel areas, the baits that you choose are just (as) important as the area you are fishing. When trolling in timber it is important to choose a bait that is “wood friendly,” meaning a lure that can be pulled through the timber relatively snag free. I have found that lures that run nose down in the water work perfectly. For example, ……Believers, …all seem to have very distinct nose-down action.”
The Toledo Blade, July 18, 2003 – in his article, “Muskellunge:The fish of a thousand casts, Following the Fish,” author Steve Pollick writes, “Much like the Clear Fork tactics in Ohio, trolling with large muskie plugs is the favored tactic to find St. Clair fish. Anglers used to a slow walleye-troll will perk up at the three-to-five mph speed of the St. Clair muskie trolling. Favorite plugs include the Believer, ………”
The New Jersey Angler, June 2003 – in his article “Tangling with New Jersey Muskie” author Chris Gatley writes about muskellunge trolling techniques and states, “Lately, trolling has been a hot topic among muskie anglers. Anglers will pull plugs like Believers,……..or in-line spinners at speeds of up to eight mph.”
Outdoor News, May 24, 2003 – in his column “Only Muskies” author Jack Burns writing about Muskie fishing tools devotes an entire article to our famous Believer. He writes, among other things, “We also have a few lures that adjust to multiple situations, like a crescent wrench. And for my money, the spinnerbait is the ultimate crescent wrench. That said, there are a few others that come pretty close to multi-purpose. After spinnerbaits, the second most versatile lure in my tackle box is the Believer by Drifter Tackle.” He adds later, “I soon had a pile of 8-inch Believers. I considered them the perfect trolling lure.” “The 10 incher did things at that depth that the muskies had apparently never seen before. The muskies climbed all over it. I started catching half of my annual fish in the month of October…which meant trolling…which meant that about half of my fish for several years were caught on Believers. Then I discovered Lac Seul in the mid-‘80’s. Sure, we caught a lot of nice fish on Lac Seul trolling Believers in the fall. But there was more. We were seeing and catching the biggest fish of our lives.” He goes on “So with my Lac Seul experiences – and learning through the grapevine what Doug Johnson was doing with 10-inch Believers on Lake of the Woods – I did a little math. Maybe they’re not just for trolling. Duh. But I had no idea how much I had been missing. When connected at the shallow-running eyelet, Believers turn into a very shallow’running crankbait/jerkbait/topwater combo lure. And as buoyant as they are, they are darned near weedless. All you have to do is reel, twitch, jerk – as you see fit - and pause to let them back themselves out of trouble when you get too close to surface weeds. The wooble and the flash take care of the fish. Believers aren’t spinnerbaits, but they handle different situations, different depths, and different speeds better than anything else in my tackle box.”
Field and Stream, May 2003 – on fishing muskie on Lake St. Clair author Scott Bestul writes “It’s not unusual for a guide to report a 10-fish day, and some do better. I feel this is the muskie capital of the U.S. There are a lot of fish in the 28-42-inch range, and everyone’s looking for those 50-inchers.” “What’s Hot: Believers”
Field and Stream, May 2003 – on fishing for the next world record bass, author Ken Schultz writes “IF I WERE going to fish for nothing but the next world-record bass, I’d narrow my lure choice to four categories. All share some characteristics: They’re large, slow, and realistic. Here are my choices: My top pick is a JUMBO PLUG that runs from 3 to 8 feet deep on a standard cast and retrieve. The body should be 8 to 10 inches long (or longer if you can find or make one). I wouldn’t rule out a slender minnow-shaped plug, but greater mass strikes me as preferable……THE SHULTZ SELECTION…. Jointed Believer™ (10-inch)
Outdoor World, April 2003 – in “Narrowing Down Big-Water Cranking” author Mark Romanack writes “Great pike and muskie baits include the Believer™…”
Outdoor News, March 7, 2003 – on Muskie Expo’s author Jack Burns writes “Two lures that I picked up at last year’s Expo, the soft-tailed Super Stalker from Drifter Tackle….. produced a lot of my fish last year. And last year was my best ever.”
Ontario Out Of Doors, February 2003 – on fishing Lake St. Clair for muskie, author Lonnie King writes “Crankbaits are by far the number one lure choice for local experts…….Of course, many of the more widely recognized muskie baits are also consistent producers, including Believers….”
Fishing Facts, February, 2003 – in “Trophy Pike Tactics” author Walt Matan writes “It didn’t take but a few casts when the big pike struck his Believer lure with enough force to shatter its plastic body” and “For casting heavy lures like the (10) inch Believers and Stalkers from Drifter Tackle, I like a 6’9” heavy action muskie rod…” and “Big, muskie-sized baits are the first order of business……The diving minnow baits I prefer are the (10) inch Drifter Tackle Believers, Drifter Stalkers and (Super) Stalkers.”
Canada Fever, February 2003 – on fishing for giant pike at Talston Bay, author Walt Matan writes “Other big plugs to bring along are ….. Drifter Tackle Stalkers, and Believers in all sizes.”
In-Fisherman, January 2003 – in “Ghosts, White Whales & Open-Water Muskies” author Matt Straw writes “Believers taped or painted to match open-water baitfish and walleyes are hot right now. My best baits are walleye imitations like the natural-walleye-pattern Believer™. We’re not doing that well with giant crankbaits. An 8-inch jointed Believer™ is my go-to-lure.”
In-Fisherman, October – November 2001 – in “Retrieveus Interruptus” author Doug Stange writes “Anglers fishing big water like Lake of the Woods likely use baits as large as the 10-inch Believer™..” and There’s a big difference between the vibes given off by a 7-inch Bomber Long A and an 8- or 10-inch Believer™, with the Believer™ pumping hard and wide and the Bomber producing a smooth tight throb.”
Fishing Facts, October 2001 – in “Giant Pike Tactics” author Walt Matan writes “The big lure department consists of Believers and Stalkers by the Drifter Tackle Co. which have a killer side-to-side wobble;”
