Daiwa Report

DAIWA Prorex BESSIE Muskie Bait

It’s said, that while duck hunting north of Sandusky, Ohio, in 1793, the captain of the sloop Felicity spied a strange creature that was more than a rod in length – a rod being 16 ½ feet. Later, in July of 1817, the crew of a schooner reported seeing a 30- to 40-foot-long serpent slithering in Lake Erie. Sightings of “The Lake Erie Monster” continued, even accelerated in succeeding years.

In Ohio and Michigan folklore, BESSIE is the name given to the mythological beast. For DAIWA, Prorex BESSIE is the name bequeathed to their new monstrously-premium muskie bait.

“At the core it’s a rip-bait,” said DAIWA Marketing Director Marc Mills, defining BESSIE’Ss stylism. Excellent for fishing submerged vegetation, Mills says, “when you rip BESSIE through weeds, it creates a lot of commotion, chewing up the greens like a blender while not getting snagged.”

BESSIE is effective through and over weeds that offer some headroom. That means weeds growing up the water column in 8- to 20-feet, as well as shorter carpets of grass in even deeper water. Let it sink down into the greenery and start ripping.

BESSIE’s props are at the epicenter of the action. The slow-sinking (SS) and fast-sinking (FS) models feature a reverse prop on the nose for maximum disturbance and cutlery-grade weed mincing. Floating models yield a forward-facing prop for a hearty buzz. All models sport an added stainless-steel blade for extra vibration and irresistible noise.

Muskie anglers choose their lures with a critical precision. To that, DAIWA paid close attention to sink rates on the 6 ½-inch bait. The SS drops from .8- to 1-foot per second, while the FS falls at 1.2- to 1.4-feet per second.

Also crucial to a lure of this caliber is attention to anatomical detail. Each BESSIE pattern dons a hand carved scale pattern, as well as realistic 3D eyes, and museum-quality paintjobs. Incoming muskie strikes are tamed with a pair of ultra-sharp 4/0 treble hooks.

Note, too, BESSIE’s remarkable similarity to a spybait, just huskier. Bass fishing partisans know the stealthy effectiveness of the Japanese taught technique. BESSIE, too, can be fished over weedless expanses, sliding through the water, attacks driven by its natural wobble, finely tuned blades, and incomparable cosmetics.

Fishing such a refined lure begs for expert gear selection. Mills, a bonafide muskellunge master, offers his insights: “DAIWA’s Prorex TW baitcaster was developed on a muskie fishing platform – it’s ideal for chunking and ripping a BESSIE. I like the 400 size with its 7.1:1 gear ratio. Pair that with a Prorex Muskie Rod. Choose the 8’ 6” model in either heavy or extra-heavy, and you’re in business.”

DAIWA’s new BESSIE is available in 6 colors, to include Muskie, Perch, Fire Tiger, Cisco, Walleye and Loon. (Loon is only available as a floater.) Suggested retail is $69.99

BESSIE Key Features:

• Custom Daiwa Extra Tough Parts
• Molded Using Hand Carved Scale Pattern
• Forward Facing Front Prop on Floating Model
• Reverse Prop on SS and FS
• Stainless Steel Blade for Added Vibration, Noise and Action
• 4/0 Ultra Sharp Hooks
• Realistic 3D Eyes.

For Daiwa’s latest color catalog and/or information on Daiwa dealers in your area, call Daiwa’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: CSR@Daiwa.com. The URL for Daiwa’s web site is daiwa.us.