You’d be hardpressed to find another new plug that has caused as big a stir in anglers (or bass for that matter) over the past couple years than the NorthBar Tackle BottleDarter. Recently Larry Welcome and Rob Koch of NorthBar Tackle visited The Edge on their way to up to Striper Fest. Talking with these two about the BottleDarter is a real treat and provided an insight into the truly wide “range” this plug posesses. As I left the shop that night, I was intent on getting in a little fishing before bed, although I’d be getting up early to make a trip out of town. I purchased a few eels for the night’s activity and almost as an afterthought went over and picked out a BottleDarter. I’m sure glad I did. Running into Rudy (The Host), Larry and Rob that night it didn’t take long to see what was getting the job done. Winds out of the east called for a lure that would cut into the wind and the choppy surf begged for a plug that would hold. The BottleDarter did both and imparting a quick “tug” during the retrive proved too much for the bass to resist. My only regret is that my BottleDarter hadn’t been “loaded” like the one being thrown by the guy on my right. I’m not saying I’d have been able to throw it as far as he was, but the added distance he was achieving was definitly paying off. Then again, it could’ve just been that his wetsuit smelled like eels. That night went a long way towards helping me gain confidence in what is by all accounts a great plug.

Keep on the look-out here for instructions (and hopefully a video) on loading these plugs.