May 22, 2013
By Ned Kehde
Berkley's PowerBait Rib Snake recently caught the eye of some anglers on the Finesse News Network.
They noted that this 5 1/2-inch soft-plastic bait wasn't designed for Midwest finesse applications, but they liked the looks and feel of it. They suspected that it could be easily customized a touch to fit Midwest finesse jig applications.
Its torso is embellished in 27 ribs. There 25 segments between the last rib on its torso and its small paddle tail. It has a small bulb-shaped head. Some observers say it exhibits the profile of a small lizard that is missing its four legs.
According to the folks at Pure Fishing, it was designed to "fold up" when it is Texas-rigged and coupled with a slip sinker. And this folding phenomenon creates a multitude of unique gyrations during a retrieve. Its tail is said to be exceedingly animated
What's more, it can be affixed to a weightless hook and retrieved the way a fluke-style bait is employed. And when it is attached to a weighted extra-wide-gap hook, it exhibits -- as it plummets to the bottom -- the swimming motif of a typical baitfish. Of course, it can also grace a shaky head jig.
There are very few soft-plastic baits that Midwest finesse anglers don't customize, and it is likely that they will trim an inch off of its head and upper torso before they affix to a Gopher Tackle Mushroom Head Jig or similar jig with an exposed hook.
Its ribbed torso accentuates its profile, which also provides more surface area for it to secrete its patented PowerBait scent. The ribs also discharge tiny air bubbles, which are said to be alluring to the eyes largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass.
It is available in nine colors. A package of eight retails for $4.49.
