Product Review: The Flying Lure

The Flying Lure was originally introduced in 1992. The concept behind the flying lure is pretty amazing. The lure swims AWAY from you. The proprietary hook is weighted specifically to allow the stream lined body to glide away from the caster. This allows the lure to get under things that normal lures just can't. Back in 1992 and 1993, I bought and used these lures with mild success. One fond memory is that my father caught a massive carp on one of the 4 inch flying lures. Now, I am sure you are wondering why I am reviewing a 20 year old lure. Well, they are back. The company recently celebrated its 20 year anniversary and are offering and anniversary edition kit.

To be fair and clear the flying lure I used and will review is the original. This kit includes snakes, worms, and crawtails. Also, I used the 4 inch size, this kit looks like it includes 2 inch ones as well.

The Good.
1. They look super cool. Let's get that out there. These lures look great gliding away from you in the water.
2. They actually do glide away from you as advertised. So you can get them under docks, trees, and other cover.
3. They are available in many different colors to match a variety of situations. My favorite, because they catch fish, is the purple bottom with black back.
4. Even though the hooks are completely wacky looking, the rigging of the flying lure is easy.

The Bad.
1. The hooks are proprietary and I can only seem to find them online. Older anglers, such as my dad, would never go online to buy anything, let alone hooks. Nitpicking, I know. I also understand that the hook is what makes the lure "fly" in the water so it is necessary for them to be proprietary.
2. They weren't as productive as advertised. I did indeed catch a few fish but not the 10 pound monsters in the commercials. I also understand that that is the way of the world, so not an actual complaint.
3. I had very little, if any, success using these in moving water. They definitely glide better in still water.

Overall.
Overall I am excited to see them back. I hope they get the attention they did 20 years ago. I am liking this anniversary kit and am most definitely looking forward to using the snakes, crawtails, and the worms. When the kit was first launched, the company had a special price on it. Based on my experience with these, if you fish mostly still waters, these may be worth a buy.

Product Review: Troy-Bilt 27-Ton Gas Log Splitter Model LS 27 TB

I had the pleasure of observing the Troy Bilt Model LS 27 TB 27-ton gas powered log splitter in action today.

This bright red ball of testosterone and power made fast work of enough white oak to last all winter. White oak is a heavy, dense, and hard wood and this beast of a machine cut it like butter. It was so manly I felt chest hairs growing while it was in use. We weren't splitting little logs. Some of them were  an impressive two feet in diameter and just as tall, maybe more. This splitter chewed them up and spit them out.

The Good

1. This splitter does exactly what it is supposed to do. It splits logs and does it very well. 

2. There was more than enough power to get the job done.

3. It started on the first or second pull each and every time.

4. The splitter folded down for easy transport.

5. I can be used vertical or horizontal. We used it vertically. 

6. In several hours of operation, we only had to refill the 0.3 gallon tank once, making it very fuel efficient.

The Bad

1. I admit that this is digging deep,  but it was loud. The literature with the splitter and the information I found online indicate that this model is quieter than others. It was loud enough to make having a conversation around it impossible. I am also assuming that all gas powered log splitters with this much power are loud. 

Overall

Overall, the Troy-Bilt LS 27 TB log splitter is an awesome machine. Being powered by a Honda motor, the splitter was fuel efficient and reliable. The fast start and ample power made using it easy. My one and only complaint was the noise level, but I think all models with 27 tons of log splitting power would be just as loud. 

I found a place to download the owner's manual if you would like to know more here.

Product Review: The Banjo Minnow

No, they aren't fish that play the banjo. Although, that would be awesome. The Banjo Minnow is a unique fishing lure system designed to catch more and bigger fish. The idea behind the Banjo Minnow is that it looked like a real minnow, swam like a real minnow, and died with the spastic action of a real minnow. I bought the 006 Minnow in the 110 piece kit. The action of the lure is created by the unique design. The hook is totally outside of the body of the minnow. The eyes have a loop that protrudes from the minnow's mouth and the hook attaches there. This frees the entire soft plastic body of the minnow to move. The eyes determine the weight of the lure.

The Good
1. There are several models, sizes, and colors to choose from. This, in addition to options for different  weight and color eyes, makes the Banjo Minnow totally customizable. If you want a pink and purple (cotton candy) minnow with red eyes, you can get it.
2. It works. I did indeed catch a large mouth bass on the banjo minnow. I caught him on the "black back shiner" in the three inch size.
3. You can get replacement pieces (eyes, hooks, weed guards, and minnows) online.
4. There are tips and tricks posted online to make you a better angler with the Banjo Minnow.

The in Between
1. The 110 piece kit is indeed a good deal but I have never used over half of the sizes and colors, So I over paid. This is just my experience. Maybe, where you are the 5 inch red or neon yellow minnow will be the perfect thing.  The Banjo Minnow website does offer a smaller kit for less.

The Bad
1. Even though you can buy replacement parts, the prices are a bit high. The 3 inch minnow above can be bought in a 7 pack for under $5, so not terrible but I would expect 10 maybe 12  for that price. That is just my opinion, and I am known to be terribly cheap.
2. A hook is a hook, unless it's a Banjo Minnow hook. The hooks are proprietary. Nitpicking? Maybe, but, personally, I like using the same hooks on all my soft plastics. That way I can leave the same size 5 worm hook on and switch from lizard to worm to creature at will.
3. The Banjo Minnow requires a special technique. It is not difficult, but it is different. So you won't be able to tie on one and get casting without practice. Some angler's may lack the patience to learn a new way to fish. The 110 piece kit does include an instructional DVD.
4. The endless options may make it difficult to find the right size and color that produces fish in your area. It took me several, and I mean more than 10 or so, days of using the Banjo Minnow before I found the color and size the fish wanted.
5. The tiny rubber bands that make the lure weedless are at times difficult to get on.

Overall
The uniqueness of the motion makes the Banjo Minnow productive. If one can look past having to learn a new way to fish and the price or the proprietary hooks,minnows, and eyes, it is a good product. The customization capability is both a good and bad thing. My advice would be, if you are going to buy the Banjo Minnow,  to start with the less expensive kit, conveniently called the starter kit. This will get your feet wet in learning the special technique and also avoid the possibly overwhelming array of options.

You can learn more about the Banjo Minnow here.