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RIGS
Bait-Walker Sinker
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The Bait-Walker sinker was
created to walk rocky bottom
structure without becoming
snagged. It was designed in 1975 by
Dan Gapen, Sr. to work live bait and lures, such as
crank baits, spoons, trolling flies and stick plugs.
Research proved the Bait-Walker to be 85 to 90%
snag-free on natural rock bottom in both lake and
river. The Bait-Walker walks across bottom with
little resistance, because less than 5% of the sinker touches bottom. Built with a patented
flat back, the angler feels less than 50% of the sinkers actual weight. Example: a 2
oz. Bait-Walker pulls but 1 oz., or less, at rod tip. When engaged in a rock crevice, the
user only has to back over the snag, pull hard, and feel the sinker pivot back on itself
and out of the snag. When touching rough rock bottom, because the point of pull is up
and above the sinker weight, this rig will lift up off the bottom then settle back to
bottom inches later.
Besides all these features, the
Bait-Walker also acts as a keel
sinker, preventing line twist while
trolling. Nothing will get live bait or
your favorite stick plug down where fish
hold better than a Bait-Walker sinker.
Live
BAIT
WHICH BAIT-WALKER
FOR WHAT BAIT?
No matter which live bait you use, it is suggested
that smaller sizes such as 1/4, 3/8, 5/8, and
1 oz. be used. If you work heavy current or very
deep water (50 feet or more) the 1 1 /2 and 2 oz.
models may be required on livebait.
Never use Bait-Walkers less than 1 oz. on
your favorite minnow-style plug or crank
PLUGS
bait. When plugs are trolled or retrieved
below 20 feet of depth, water pressure tends
to force them upwards. Always use plugs with shallow lips
when working deep water. Bait-Walkers which work best
on plugs are 1 1 /2 , 2 and 3 1 /2 oz.
SPOONS
85%
Any size Bait-Walker sinker will work on a
spoon, much depends on how deep you
wish to troll or retrieve. However, if you
are working species such as stripers or lake
trout in water deeper than 50 feet, it is suggested that the 6
and 10 oz. model be used.
59
t o 95%
SNAG-free
in
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MADE
USA
IN
R I V E R S
A N d Lakes!
F i s h G a p e n ’ s
FACTS EVERY CATmAN SHOuLd KNOW
‘ABOUT CATFISH’
– RIVERS –
It matters not how large a river
system is that you fish for catfish in,
certain facts remain constant.
FACT: Catfish are a scenter,
they always swim into current flow
to find food.
angler reaction: Al -
ways position yourself up s tream,
fishing downstream, from the suspected
holding area catfish inhabit.
FACT: Channel catfish, the
larger fish, prefer fresh cut bait with
a blood base or fish base scent.
angler reaction: Use a
blood base bait, preferably chicken
blood or liver, early in the morning, late at night, or during darkness hours for best
results. Use a fish cut bait, such as cut suckers, shad or river chubs during the heat of day
or during warm front periods.
FACT: Flathead catfish prefer live bait to cut or dead bait.
angler reaction: Use a large live bluegill hooked behind its back fin to entice
the largest flathead cat in the river system you work. Second choice would be a live sucker
or redtail chub.
FACT: Rock and gravel ripples, even though they seem too shallow to hold channel
catfish are the best place to start looking for the channel species of catfish in a river you’ve
never fished before.
angler reaction: Look for the fast water sections of the river you fish where
water is at its fastest and seemingly the hardest to fish. Begin working above the fast water area,
gradually working your way down through the fast water structure.
FACT: A technique called “straightlining” is the best method to catch those bait
stealing channel catfish when water temperature exceeds 70 degrees.
angler reaction: To properly straightline the angler must first acquire a Bait-
Walker Plus sinker rig. This style sinker will be the signaling devise for the angler as the
catfish takes bait.
Attach the Bait-Walker to lines end and add a 24 to 30 inch dropback line behind
the spinnered arm of the Bait-Walker . Attach and hook bait to the dropback line.
Diagram a
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FANTASTIC
Fishing Tips:
FROm
HImSELF!
x
60
Current
Flow
F i s h G a p e n ’ s