Ok here it is, the Rago Tool!

http://www.calfishing.com/files/Images/lures/trout_plugs/rago_tool/rago_tool_side.jpg

More pics with detail are at:
http://www.calfishing.com/reviews/trout_plugs/rago_tool.html

The bait is 13" long and weights 13.5oz. The bait is a composite material and came out of a mold. The eyes are taxedermy eyes and the head literally looks like Jerry took a real trout head and stuck it in a mold. It couldn't be any more accurate. The hooks are giant, they look like 8/0 or larger. The fins believe it or not, are secured with springs, the idea I think being that when a fish grabs the bait, the fins will compress downward toward the belly and help the fish find the hooks better. It's an interesting concept and you know, I think it might actually work. I've been staring at this thing for a while now and it's giving me that itchy feeling to go fishing :)

TW got a handful of baits in this week but they are all sold out. The price tag you ask? A cool $300. Let the controversy begin!!! I can't wait for the weekend :)

Now you need to find a rod to throw it with :-)

Calstar 800L / CTE 400 / straight 30lb Triple Fish florocarbon

The bait doesn't feel any heavier than the 12" Castaic Trout so I think casting it will be fine. All you have to do is lob the bait and let it suck the line off the reel :)

I had the same question for you Rob!

Jerry told me he had a "special" rod made just to fish that bait. Who knows...

I ran into Jerry once on one of "my" lakes and he showed me his swimbait rods. They had the wrap around guides so the top half of the rod had the guides on the underside like a spinning rod. Maybe thats what he was talking about.

I know the rod is like the down wrap style or revolver. He had some stout rod that he said was made just for that bait. Cool rods but I'm not sold on them yet.

Suhweet! Nice bait. Innovative design with those spring loaded fins. And I don't blame him a bit for the price. Not that I can afford it.
I still don't mind charging a paltry $30+ for a custom painted crank.

I just got my bait today! All I can say is it's hella bad ass!!!! The Tool is truely a work of art! Can't wait to fish with it! The springs on the fins are a great innovation also. Yeah it cost an arm, a leg, and my left nut, but after holding it in my hand it made it worth it! }(


Josh D.

The "TOOL" is worth every penny, now get ready for the RAPTOR!

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/4262-MVC-020S.JPG


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/4263-MVC-008S.JPG


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/4264-MVC-018S.JPG


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/4265-MVC-010S.JPG


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/4266-MVC-014S.JPG


http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/4267-MVC-011S.JPG

WOW! Those baits truly are a work of art. Very, very nice.

Dang man, now you're making me want to put a bill in mine :) I'm going to try it with no bill for a few months and see how it goes but I swear I'll dremmel that thing and put a bill in it if I feel the need, $300 or not :)

I really dig that tool in the middle of the lineup there. The head on that bait looks killer and I like the lighter green paint job and the detail on the top fin, very nice.

Rob, you don't need a bill. The new model uses the fins to do the job of the bill. The baits in my picture are early prototypes, the new ones are better. The bait in the middle you like has no bill. Jerry and I are fishing the same one you have and that they are selling on tacklewarehouse.com. but I know you like to tinker with your swimbaits. My tool kit (HOOKS, WEIGHTS, RATTLES, ETC.) for adjusting my swimbaits is spilling out of a 3rd Plano 3700.

I was gonna say the same thing on that bait in the middle. Just looks so tastey!