April 14, 2014
By Ned Kehde
A Finesse News Network member alerted us to the fact that we haven't penned a word about Biovex USA's Kolt Shad Tail and Kolt Fish Tail. He thought it was high time to introduce Midwest finesse anglers to these soft-plastic finesse baits, which were created in and manufactured in Japan.
The Kolt Fish Tail is available in two sizes: three inch and four inch. From the tip of its nose to the junction of its flat and semi-forked fish tail, its torso is encircled with rings or ribs. In addition to the rings, its torso is endowed with several internal air pockets, which are designed to release air bubbles as an angler retrieves the Kolt Fish Tail through, across, around or on a lair. Its flat and partially forked tail causes the entire bait to quiver and release the air bubbles as the Kolt Fish Tail darts and glides during the retrieve. Some folks say it exhibits the movements of a frightened minnow.
It was designed primarily to be used on drop-shot rigs, which most Midwest finesse anglers shun.
Other anglers will Texas rig it with a wide-gap hook and slip sinker.
Midwest finesse anglers primarily probe shallow-water lairs in one to eight feet during the winter, spring, summer, and fall, and they have discovered that a jig-and-soft-plastic combo is much more effective in shallow water than a drop-shot rig. (But we must note that some talented bass anglers, such as Aaron Martens of Leeds, Alabama, employ drop-shot applications in shallow water.)
Midwest finesse anglers, however, will affix the Kolt Fish Tail to a 1/32-, 1/16-, or 3/32-ounce Gopher Tackle's Mushroom Head Jig. And during most outings, Midwest finesse anglers will opt for either the 1/32- or 1/16-ounce Gopher jig. Only on wind-blown outings and when the largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are foraging directly on the bottom in depths of more than eight feet will Midwest finesse anglers employ a 3/32-ounce Gopher jig. One of the primary ingredients of Midwest finesse tactics is the concept we call no-feel fishing, and to accomplish that task, we have to use lightweight jigs with small hooks.
Debate among anglers might erupt about the proper way to affix the Kolt Fish Tail to a jig, wide-gap hook or a drop-shot rig. Some Midwest finesse anglers will rig it so its flat tail is parallel to the bottom similar to the tail of a flounder. Others will rig it so the tail resembles the way a bluegill swims. Years ago anglers had a similar debate about the best way to rig a Reaper, and if a controversy occurs with the Kolt Fish Tail, we will write about it.
It is a available 11 colors: Ayu, Watermelon, Green Pumpkin, Black Red Glitter, Red, Real Firetiger, Dappi, Watermelon Red Seed, Smoke Holographic Flake, Rami Gill, and Coke.
A package of five three-inchers can be purchased for $4.99, and a package of four four-inchers sells for $4.99.
All the features of the Kolt Shad Tail -- except its tail -- replicate the features of the Kolt Fish Tail.
The Kolt Shad Tail has a boot or paddle donning its tail rather than the flat and semi-forked tail of the Kolt Fish Tail. From the tip of its nose to the junction of its tail, it is encompassed with rings or ribs, as well as series of internal air sacks that emit air bubbles under water.
During the retrieve, the configuration of its tail should create different undulations and gyrations than what occurs with the Kolt Fish Tail.
Midwest finesse anglers will rig it on 1/32-, 1/16- and 3/32-ounce Gopher jigs, and it should work well with all six of their basic retrieves.
It is available in the same colors and for the same prices as the three- and four-inch Kolt Fish Tail.
