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oN
ICE
‘Bobber’ Anne displays a very
large Pumpkinseed taken on
The Red Ball,
while Thumper - looks on!
Thus, there is a natural instinct in all fish species to
feed on eggs or anything which consists of a round
circular shape.
It is a genetic instinct which cannot be withheld when
fish are in search of food.
Therefore, fish, no matter what the species are drawn
to this food’s shape more than they are drawn to the
egg by smell or action. As a matter of fact the Red Ball
is best presented to fish in a still manner (motionless).
w w w. g a p e n . c o m
A LOOK BEHIND THE
SCENES OF OuR “NEW”
Red Ball Anise Egg
HISTORY:
Bob Kook, fishing buddy, cameraman and good
friend of the Gapen’s first laid the idea of the Red Ball
style jig on Dan Gapen, Sr. after he’d done research
while ice fishing for panfish. Bob noted that more
times than he could count, panfish had a tendency to
attempt to eat the split shot which held his offering
down. Eventually he used just a shot on a hook with
no natural bait, and caught fish. Next, the split shot
were painted a number of colors. Red turned out to be
the best. Then a small 1/4 inch red plastic bead was
placed on a nickel flat spoon hook. It worked! It seems
the flashing wobble of the spoon drew the panfish in
but it was the red bead which they struck.
A THEORY WHY IT WORKS:
All fish species begin as eggs, which in turn - turn into
very small fish fry with a large egg sack attached. The
sack, normally an orangish or reddish color is what the
tiny minnow feeds on while it grows. During this period
of life a fish is extremely vulnerable to predation.
PRESENTATION OF THE RED BALL
Two years of research proved up the following. The
flash and darting action of the tin body of the Flicker
brings the fish in to this bait. But, it’s the red eggtipped
on the metal body which drives them to strike
it. “Strike” will come 90% of the time when the lure is held motionless for
several moments. At times the angler should allow the Red Ball to sit still for as long
as 30 seconds before striking results will occur.
Normally, species such as perch, bluegill, crappie, rockbass, whitefish and ciscoes will
charge into the bait as it is vigorously jigged up and down, and then nose in to within a
couple inches. Only then, when it’s held still will they close in on it, flare their gill plates
and suck the Red Ball in.
In the case of crappie and perch, they will rise as the bait is ingested. This creates an
easing off of line pressure at rod tip. Bluegill, rockbass and other species suck the Red
Ball in and dart off creating a hard strike at rod tip.
141
oN
ICE
The Red Ball
(Continued)
Gapen’s continue with future research on other
gamefish species as you read this copy in their
newest catalog. Research in new lure styles, with the
Red Ball construction and theory are on-going.
Fish such as walleye and bass are now being offered
new Red Ball lures. As of today the new idea is
working well. Gapen’s knows the round ball works.
They only have to develop body styles to carry the
Red Ball to other gamefish.
It is my belief — Dan Gapen, Sr. – that many of
us, as well as myself, have been working our winter
and summer jigs too hard. We’ve held with the
theory that a rapid jigging action is the key to
cause fish to strike.
NOT SO!!!
The rapid jigging action of a lure is what causes the
fish to notice an offering. Thus, drawing them to our
lure. However, if this rough working of the lure continues,
such action will flush fish from your lure. It matters
not if you’ve tipped it with natural bait or not.
Holding it motionless after a series of jerks and
twitches is by far the best presentation. If you have an
underwater camera this theory can be well
documented.
If fish fail to strike the motionless lure, a painfully slow
rise of the bait will renew their interest. If that fails then the
target probably isn’t ready to feed and you best repeat your
attractive jigging action to draw in another fish target.
The Red Ball
Egg Tippers
UPC &
Order # Color Size Price
92770 Large 24 $ 4.25 Ea.
92773 Small 24 4.25 Ea.
92774 Mixed Sizes 24 4.25 Ea.
Available in a 24
pack Red Ball
anise scented
eggs we call
Tippers
Fish F i s h Gapen’sG a p e n ’ s
www.gapen.com Fish Gapen’s
142
HOLD
Motionless
for
BEST
Results!