NAIA 130

Natural springs are some of the clearest and purest water sources on earth.   Naia was born based on this premise, a clear lure that best embodies its minimalist purity.  She was conceptualized over three years ago while I was searching for a way to encapsulate the best attributes of all my creations.  She did not yet have a name;  she was but a simple fluid shape that eventually became what she is today.

Naia is the latest creation offered by StrategicAngler for 2020.  She transcends the traditional design of a stickbait and a fast sinking jig.  I refer to Naia as a “she” because of her fluid lines and seductive appearance.  The omission of the belly loop creates a rhythmic side to side cadence as she free falls, while the tail hook configuration can be customized to suit your fishing style.  Naia works well with large single hooks or trebles of various sizes.  Twitches, “walk the dogs”, sweeps and a sinking flutter all successfully embody her fluid style.

A touch of UV* in the clear body illuminates her in the water, completing her scintillating form.

*not glow in the dark

TECHNIQUE:

Action

• Walk the dog; side to side cadence
• Horizontal sinking flutter during free-fall
• Wobbling side to side swimming action with slow retrieve
• Erratic action with fast retrieve

Walk – A rhythmic slow twitch will make Naia move with an alternating left and right cadence.   A quick  sweep creates a sudden commotion that reverberates in the water attracting predators in the process.

Wobble – Retrieving the lure with the rod tip down will create a slow side to side wobble.  This slow and erratic movement is reminiscent of a cruising or unwary fish.  An occasional twitch will make Naia come alive, flash on one side and then right itself.  

Sinking flutter – Cast the lure, or simply let it drop!  A free falling lure will have a more pronounced side to side flutter, so give it a few seconds for Naia to reach your preferred depth before retrieving.

Sweep – The Naia series does best with softer sweeps of the rod tip versus the traditional hard sweeps most stickbait anglers are accustomed to.  The lure is perfectly balanced without the need of a belly hook so imparting softer sweeps will make the lure dance with ease. 

SPECIFICATIONS:

Length: 5 inches (130 mm)

Average weight: 1.75 ounces (50-55 grams)

Terminal Wire: 0.093 inch (2.4 mm) thick x-heavy wiring

RECOMMENDED HOOK SIZES:

PROTEUS 130

The Proteus series is the latest offering by StrategicAngler® for 2021.  The remarkable success of the clear bodied, UV enhanced Naia series led to the final development of the Proteus series to date, conceptualized many years before.

Strategic Angler released the Naia series in late 2019 for 2020.  The development of the Naia series in 2019 provided a key design element for PROTEUS.  After changing and morphing the Mikros concept-design several times over, Strategic Angler was able to take a key design concept from the Naia series and apply it to several benched prototypes.  This newfound knowledge enabled Strategic to create a brand new 5 inch hybrid lure featuring the characteristics of a “slow” stick-bait and a sinking, wobbling jig.  (The Proteus series received its final inspiration from the slow swimming Atlantic butterfish, a favorite staple of many pelagic species)

ACTION:

• Walk, twitch 
• Horizontal sinking wobble during free-fall
• Wobbling side to side swimming action with slow retrieve

TECHNIQUE:

Walk – Proteus can be made to walk with a right, left, right cadence using slow rhythmic pumps with the rod tip down.  The slower the better.   

Sinking Wobble – Let the lure rest at free spool after casting.  The lure will sink with a wide side to side wobble exposing its flanks as it goes deeper.  Majority of the strikes come at free spool so watch your line and get ready to close that bail for the hook-set!  Mix up the retrieve to achieve different presentations.

Sweep – The Proteus series does best with slow sweeps of the rod tip versus the traditional hard sweeps most stick-bait anglers are accustomed to.  The lure is perfectly balanced without the need of a belly hook so imparting softer sweeps will make the lure dance with ease.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Length: 5 inches (130 mm)

Average weight: 3.5 ounces (93-98 grams)

Terminal Wire: 0.093 inch (2.4 mm) thick x-heavy wiring

RECOMMENDED HOOK SIZES:

FRANTIC - FAST SINKING

The FRANTIC series was inspired through the body shapes of Sardines and Ballyhoo.  The term “frantic” was appropriately chosen because it mimics the crazed action of a bait fish when chased by a predator.

The life-like SUBSURFACE swimming action entices predators to strike time and time again.  The perfect all-around lure for amateurs and professional anglers alike.  Its swimming action can be modified with simple variations for the ultimate presentation.

TECHNIQUE:

The Frantic Series Lures can be fished in many versatile ways.

Swimming – A medium retrieve will create a natural swimming action.  It is important to keep the rod tip down to maximize the subsurface swim.   No extra angler input needed.  That’s it!

A fast retrieve will make this lure vibrate frantically sub surface.  The best action is achieved just before the lure starts to roll due to imbalance, so it is advisable to swim the lures prior to use.   The faster you retrieve, the faster it vibrates in a frantic state.  Pause in between fast cranks, you never know what just might hit it.  Great technique for covering more ground or for fast ambush predators such as barracuda, king mackerel and bluefish.

Dive and Roll – Cast the lure.  Give it a few seconds so that it orients itself in the water.  With the rod tip down, pull the rod with one smooth sweep to the right (or left).  Pause for a few seconds.  Slowly point the rod to the direction of the lure while retrieving the line with a few cranks of the reel.  Repeat.  This action will entice a wary fish to strike because it mimics a stunned or dying fish.  The sweeping motion will cause the lure to dive down and roll.   The pause allows the lure to right itself with a horizontal buoyancy.  This is its deadliest move.

Twitch and pause – Retrieving the lure with small rod twitches with an occasional pause will make it flutter like an injured or disoriented bait fish.  The slight twitches of the rod during the retrieve gives the fish an erratic swimming action while the pause allows the lure to rest; a perfect opportunity to hook that trophy fish!

SPECIFICATIONS:

Length:  8.25 inches  (210 mm)

Weight:  110g-115g (3.8oz-4.0oz)

RECOMMENDED HOOK SIZE & CONFIGURATION: