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Hottest Tungsten Spoon: Is There a New King of Spoons? |
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Northland® Fishing Tackle’s new Tungsten Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon aims to dethrone ice fishing’s reigning monarch. |
BEMIDJI, Minn. (September 24, 2024) – Is it an overthrow or planned accession to the throne? Northland sees it as a peaceful transition of power. Since its introduction many moons ago, the original Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon has dominated the ice fishing scene. Subsequent iterations included a UV series, Glass Buck-Shots, the Buck-Shot Coffin Spoon, and even a fluttering version.
And now, powered by Northland’s superior tungsten formula and design expertise, comes the new Tungsten Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon.
The regal spoon combines all the benefits of tungsten with the antics and action of the Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon. Like its forefather, the new Tungsten Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon features a brass chamber with internal bearings that produce the classic ticks, thumps, and clicks – the effectiveness of the noisemaker proven out by thousands of ice anglers over the years.
Cosmetically, you – and the fish – will appreciate the forged and detailed scales and gills on the new Tungsten Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon. The raised features cause light to dance and reflect, emulating baitfish on the run. Choose from 12 patterns, seven of which feature Northland’s long-beaming Super-Glo phosphorescent treatment, all sporting the signature red “T” eyeball. On the business end, the Tungsten Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon features a fatally sharp, blood-red treble hook.
WHY TUNGSTEN?
We’re not suggesting that you chunk your existing Northland spoons, but rather give tungsten a try as your arsenal modernizes and grows.
Nearly pure, 95% tungsten products were in limited availability until recent years because of the manufacturing cost. Tungsten is an expensive material that also comes with significant investments in manufacturing equipment. Being a leader in spoons and jigs, Northland stepped up to the plate and made these investments.
“Authentic 95% pure tungsten jigs simply fish better than their lead counterparts,” said Northland Pro and professional guide, Brad Hawthorne. He says the advantages are multiple, including more sensitivity due to the hardness of tungsten; the ability to present a smaller and denser profile than a lead version of the same weight; and having a faster sink rate.
Let’s break that down…
SENSITIVITY
Tungsten, being harder and denser than lead – 70% denser – greatly enhances sensitivity. That means you can feel the Tungsten Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon bounce when you jig it, especially when paired with a quality graphite rod and braided or fluorocarbon line. The improved sensitivity comes to play when the spoon is struck, too, particularly if it’s a light bite.
SIZING DOWN
Of equal importance is the ability to present a smaller bait when conditions warrant. For example, a 1/8th ounce Tungsten Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon is 30% smaller than its lead counterpart. That can prove meaningful if you’re targeting pernickety walleyes that react more favorably to smaller profiles. It also gives you a more befitting size when homing in on perch and crappies.
SINK RATE
Tungsten simply falls faster than lead. The denser and more compacted metal gets deeper faster. This is critical if you’re on a hot hole and fish are on the move. The Tungsten Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon will plunge quicker than a lead lure to connect with migratory fish.
CONSERVATION
There’s an eco-aspect to tungsten as well. Lead is considered a toxin, and subsequently, there’s been a big push for anglers to fish with alternative metals. Northland has been on the forefront of the transitions to tungsten, and the new Tungsten Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon is a shining example.
BRO TALKS ABOUT THE NEW SPOON
“The Tungsten Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon is a masterpiece,” said Northland pro and hardwater hero, Brian “Bro” Brosdahl. “It catches everything, from walleyes, jumbo perch and trout, to crappies, whitefish, and eelpout. I tested it all winter last year, and I’m convinced it’ll be your new favorite spoon.”
Bro pointed to a few benefits of the new tungsten spoon. “It’s an excellent search bait. When I’m moving from hole to hole looking for active fish, the Tungsten Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon gets down fast. It makes me a more efficient angler. And it punches through slush better than a lead spoon.”
PARTING TIPS FROM BRO
Bro only downsizes for perch and panfish only when he must, preferring the speed of a spoon and its propensity to charm bigger fish. For panfish, he loads the treble hook with maggots or waxworms, calling it a “chandelier”. If a fish strikes but isn’t hooked, the aggression usually tears away pieces of bait, creating a natural chum, inviting another hit or drawing other fish to investigate.
The avantgarde angler also likes how forcibly the Tungsten Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon lands on the bottom. Drawing attention from walleyes, perch or crappies along the bottom, he’ll pound the spoon off the lake floor. Successive snaps and freefalls will create chaos in the form of rising debris. The technique effectively draws fish in, and sometimes activates otherwise uninterest fish.
Tungsten Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon FEATURES:
- Brass sound chamber
- Classic ticking, thumping, and clicking
- Faster sink rate than lead
- More sensitive than lead
- Light reflecting scales and gills
- Signature red “T” eye
- Premium blood-red treble hook
- 12 total patterns
- 7 Super-Glo colors
- Available in 1/8-, ¼-, and 3/8-ounce sizes
MSRP $9.99
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