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[Ever seen it? Yep it's legit for catching the bass feeshes. BB contributor Andy "lime" Greene put this one together so let's check it out.]
We're all seeing that bass baits are going to the extremes of the size spectrum: ultra-finesse and super BIG. Super-big swimbaits, jigs and plastics are one thing – but bladed jigs??
While Z-Man just released the ChatterBait Micro Max, a dude named John Vano in Cali is building a bladed jig with a blade 2.5x bigger than standard bladed jig. 2.5x! John calls his creation the Donkey Slayer.
And because I love slaying donkeys – and I know you do too – I called John to get the juice. I also talked to Alex Mei of Tackle Tour since he's rumored to own more Donkey Slayers than the guy who makes 'em! Let's get it.
1. Why did you decide to make the world's biggest bladed jig?
> John: "I built the Donkey Slayer first and foremost to be a tournament performer – not a trophy hunter. I believe that skirted baits like spinnerbaits, bladed jigs and jigs get bigger bites. I wanted a bait that would search, be efficient and drive a better-than-average bite in a tournament situation.
> "The JackHammer has probably won more money in tournaments than most baits. It's a skirted bait that covers a lot of water – a great bait. It's a performer! But there's one problem. It's so good that probably every fish that swims has seen one. Everybody throws them, including me.
> "I asked, What can I do to make a similar bait but different – different action, different presentation – but that's still a performer? The nuance behind the Donkey Slayer is different enough to trigger pressured bass to hit it."
> Alex: "The Donkey Slayer doesn't replace the JackHammer. It's like a big swimbait version of a bladed jig. The JackHammer will catch more fish, but the Donkey Slayer is what you throw to get bigger-than-average bites.
> "I don't think people knew we needed this bait. John unlocked a bite that was there in the shadows. He was trying to get fish to bite that had seen a million JackHammers.
> "Most people see the Donkey Slayer and don't get it at first because it's so big. But when people try it and see what it can do, they're intrigued."
2. Other than size, what's different about it vs a regular-sized bladed jig?
> Alex: "Action. It gets a crazy action from the size of the blade. It has an irregular swim pattern and does a kick-out when retrieved. That kick-out is when fish bite it.
> "That giant blade has a sweeping side-to-side action. It deflects and cuts through grass better than a typical bladed jig."
> John: "The hunting. It's very erratic.
> "If we measure the frequencies of baits traveling through the water, most baits have the same frequency throughout the entire cast. When something has a broken frequency – like the Donkey Slayer – you break the cadence. This imitates a wounded baitfish, an easy feeding opportunity for a bass.
> "The goal was to make something erratic but predictable. It had to be erratic but still swim in a straight line.
> "And the thump. Guys joke that they have to go to the chiropractor after throwing the Donkey Slayer all day because it has so much thump."
Follow-up: How hard does it thump vs the JackHammer?
> Alex: "It thumps more than 50% harder than a JackHammer. But it's different. The JackHammer has a machine gun feel. The Donkey Slayer is a bump-bump-kick. The cadence is the big difference."
> John: "And when the thump stops, swing for the stars. That's the fish!"
Follow-up: How does it cast in the wind?
> John: "Awesome. The heaviness of it lets you launch it. And if you're casting at targets, you'll still be accurate in your casting."
3. Do you fish it the same way and in the same places as other bladed jigs or...?
> John: "Absolutely. Flats, grass, run it against structure. Same deal."
> Alex: "I fish it a little slower and try to make it look like a fleeing crawfish. I will fish it in heavier cover. You can flip or pitch it on short line like a jig. As you pull up on it, the blade will immediately thump. I yo-yo it like a 'Trap."
4. Why the thick hybrid skirt – made of silicone AND living rubber?
> John: "Living rubber gives the absolute best action. Silicone gives the color. I'm not a huge fan of colors currently available on the living rubber market, so I dye my own. I want my baits as organic as possible – to look like the same colors that you'll find in nature.
> "I like big, bold bodies. The skirts are broad and have a strong flare. I load them up. Big presentation, bigger fish. In the water, the skirt is all over the place."
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