Lucky Bug Lures

Anything that can add some versatility to your tackle box is a win in my book, and that’s exactly what you get with the Lucky Bug.

Picture three different techniques, three different styles of fishing, and one bait that can do them all—that my friends, is the very definition of versatility.

Now take that very bait, and add to it the fact that it won’t cost you an arm, leg, or any other appendage, and now we are talking about something pretty special.

Let’s take a closer look at the Lucky Bug.

Lucky Bug Construction And Concept

We first came across the Lucky But at ICAST 2012.

Essentially, they have taken the a fly, added a lip that isn’t unlike that of a crankbait, and created an ultra-effective, multi-faceted bait that will allow you to fish in three ways.

It can be fished on fly gear, in can be trolled, and it can be fished on standard gear with the aid of a casting bubble.

You can target multiple species of fish, be ready to go in multiple conditions, and catch fish in all of them.

In testing, the bait performed well, and as you read on, we will break down the different techniques you can use.

Fly Fishing The Lucky Bug

My first round of testing was fly fishing.

The first thing you will note is there is a weight difference from average flies. This is to be expected due to the additional plastic that gives the bait action and adds a degree of weedlessness.

After adjusting to casting, I fished all day on one bug!

The lip allows the bait to bounce off of rocks that would normally swallow up a standard fly, which means you get to keep fishing.

I have caught numerous fish on numerous trips with the bait, and it produces in all sorts of conditions and seasons.

Technique Tip: When your are drifting the bait, and it gets to the end of the drift, don’t give up on it and cast again. I will strip line hard, causing the bait to “swim” into the current, then allow it to drift back.

This little tip will allow you to catch a few more fish each trip.

Fishing The Lucky Bug On Standard Gear

While the Lucky Bug is certainly a heavier than normal bait for fly fishing, when it comes to standard tackle, the opposite is true. You cannot cast the bug without some assistance.

All it takes to get you going is a casting bubble, which you can grab at Bass Pro Shops for less than a five spot.

With the added assistance to help you get your lure out there, you are good to go. Adding action to the bait is as simple as varying your retrieval speed. The faster you reel, the more kick and action the bait will produce.

It really is that easy.

Trolling The Lucky Bug

Once again, you have simplicity itself if you would like to troll the Lucky Bug.

Since I am not typically one for trolling, I will let the boys at Lucky Bug lures explain the concept for you. From www.luckybuglures.com:

Simply tie a 1/8 ounce swivel to the end of your line, add a 30” piece of four pound line between that swivel and the Lucky Bug and you’re instantly ready to slow troll for trout. Remember to let your line run out about 100′. Or you can place the swivel about five feet above lure, using what weight necessary to lure down to desired depth. Troll slowly, letting out about 100 feet of line. Tie the lure directly to the leader.

Check out their site for a few more tricks of the trolling trade.

And The Best Part Is…

Are you ready for this?

I’ve fished the Lucky Bug at least a dozen times. Every trip has yielded some fish, and every trip the conditions have been a bit different.

In all of the trips, I have yet to lose a single bait. That’s right, not one. If that isn’t a great reason to put a few in your tackle box, I don’t know what is.

See ya on the water…