In the wake of the success of silicone lures, the Lucky John brand has significantly expanded its production scope, as a result of which the product range has been replenished with working and quite affordable balancers. The latter differ from each other in purely design features, shape, dimensions, balancing and coloring, but all baits are united by the use of high-quality materials and scrupulous attention to detail.
Most Lucky John balancers allow you to fish an impressive part of the space under the hole, and thanks to the variety of colors and sizes, every fisherman is free to choose baits to suit his preferences and specific requirements. Next, we will briefly go through the brand’s main model lines, identifying the common and distinctive features of Lucky John balancers.
Lucky John Mebaru
The youngest model line, called Mebaru, differs significantly from other Lucky John balancers. The baits have an unusual body shape and are made of special frost-resistant plastic, onto which a film with a certain color is glued.
Mebaru balancers are equipped with two tees instead of the usual single hooks, and on the back there is a kind of fin with three openings for attaching fishing line. Also, these baits are distinguished by their color options, which in this case are more exotic.
Lucky John balancers are generally praised for their high catchability, wide variety of models and quality, sharp hooks. Of the shortcomings, fishermen most often mention the following two points: 1) possible cracking of the paint; 2) poor tail fixation in some series balancers.
Features of Lucky John balancers
About the brand
The fishing brand Lucky John is known all over the world; it produces a variety of artificial baits, including balancers. The company was created by amateur fishermen who decided to start producing baits and in just a few years turned their hobby into a real business.
The brand gradually gained popularity, becoming synonymous with quality and reliability, which made it possible to increase production capacity and expand the range of products.
Let's celebrate! Today, Lucky John balancers are presented in virtually all fishing stores; they differ in material, shape, size, color and operating parameters.
Advantages
Balancers produced under the Lucky John brand have a large number of positive aspects; when compared with analogues, the following advantages can be highlighted:
- Consistently high level of quality, which has a positive effect not only on the catchability of baits, but also on their service life.
- A variety of colors and shapes, which allows you to choose a bait for any fishing conditions.
- The possibility of using a number of balancers to catch predators during the winter season, long-term exposure to cold water does not affect their condition in any way.
- Availability: products from this manufacturer are presented in most specialized stores.
- The ratio of reasonable price and high quality.
- Equipped with original Japanese alloy steel hooks that undergo a chemical sharpening procedure and have an additional Teflon coating.
Colors and materials used
In the production of LuckyJohn balancers, only high-quality and safe materials are used. Recently, baits made of edible silicone impregnated with flavors have become popular.
They demonstrate excellent results when catching passive predators, attracting them with their scent from a great distance.
The color range of Lucky John balancers is also extensive; among the assortment you can find virtually any shade: from natural tones to acidic colors. Bright models are usually used when fishing in muddy water, when it is difficult for a predator to see its prey; dark baits are effective when fishing in clear waters.
Note! The color is selected individually each time depending on the current fishing conditions; experienced fishermen recommend having a set of multi-colored balancers with you in order to select the most suitable option directly on the spot.
Flaws
Despite the large number of positive aspects, anglers also noted the disadvantages of Lucky John balancers:
- Weak fixation of the tail; to eliminate this shortcoming, the bait had to be treated with waterproof glue before fishing.
- Poor fixation of the eyes of artificial fish, which is why they often fell off.
Good to know! Lucky John is a popular brand, so Chinese-made fakes are often found on the market.
It cannot be ruled out that the above disadvantages arose when using just such balancers, and not original Latvian baits.
Reviews of Lucky John balancers
Review #1 . I had a chance to try out the Classic and Fin balancers. And I didn’t regret the purchase for a second, since all the baits that came into my hands have a pronounced, stable game and have repeatedly pleased me with a good catch, consisting mainly of pike and perch. The positive impression is slightly spoiled by the gluing of tails in some copies; they are not of the highest quality, but so far not a single balancer has fallen into complete disrepair.
Review #2 . In my personal arsenal I have balancers from two companies. The first ones are from the well-known Rapala brand, but the others are exactly Lucky John. And I must say that the latter are in no way inferior to the former, although they seem to be much more popular. Whether in terms of quality or catchability, Lucky John does not disappoint.
Review #3 . I don’t share the general enthusiasm for Lucky John balancers, because the vaunted Classic models were disappointing. The tails do not hold well, they need additional gluing, and the hooks are not of the highest quality. Well, we weren’t surprised at all in terms of catchability; literally in the same areas, other baits turned out to be more effective.
Review #4 . Lucky John started fishing with balance beams relatively recently. Already on the first fishing trip I managed to catch a pike weighing 0.6 kg and about a dozen perch weighing 200-350 g. Actually, these baits showed themselves very well in the future. True, the paint has peeled off a lot on one, and sometimes problems arise with the front hooks - they cling to the ice. Otherwise, these are worthy baits, I advise everyone to try them.
Review #5 . I have been using these balancers for over 5 years. Anything could happen: tails fell off, fasteners stretched, single hooks became very loose. But at the same time, the baits can still be called quite hardy. Catching ability is above average, it will do. The prices for balancers are definitely encouraging, because the same competitors from Rapala sell their creations at twice the price.
Main groups of baits
Since the start of gear production, the range of products under the Lucky John trademark has expanded significantly. It includes a large number of baits, some of which have been placed in various fishing tackle ratings. Now these are several lines of extremely popular products.
Classic series balancers
The company's most popular balancer models are the Classic series. This is a fast and sweeping bait, similar in appearance to a whitebait, made of hard plastic. The tail, colored red or colorless, ensures active play in the water. This bait attracts the attention of any predator. This type of tackle is intended for use in a small area around the hole.
Each copy is produced in individual packaging, which includes a set of tee with a colored droplet and hooks. The weight of the models in this series ranges from five-gram balancers 30 mm long to giants weighing 33 grams and 90 mm long. The depth of application depends on the size of the bait.
With such gear you can catch any predatory fish species. The largest specimens are suitable for trolling in fast currents and large bodies of water.
Fin bait line
These flat balancers are available in three sizes starting from 4 centimeters and in a variety of colors, so there is always the right pattern for fishing for pike perch, zander or perch. It is possible to catch predators from different depths.
One of the most common models is the Lucky John Fin 4 71413−11 bait. It plays well in the water and will attract prey from six meters deep over a long distance.
The Lucky John Fin balancer of the fifth series is capable of operating at a depth of up to 13 meters in calm water. For large fish you need to take a fishing line with a thickness of 0.18-0.25 millimeters, and for pike or pike perch even thicker - 0.3 mm. A braided thread no larger than 0.11-0.15 mm in diameter is also suitable.
Baltic family
Balancer Lucky John Baltic are well adapted for fast currents and winter fishing. These are catchy and versatile devices of good quality. The plumage of gear for low temperatures is made of plastic, resistant to the most severe frosts.
Lucky John Baltic balancers are characterized by the following features:
- Suitable for catching any predatory species.
- The length of the tackle is from 4 to 6 centimeters, weighing 9-41 grams.
- Special locks prevent the tackle from clinging to the fishing line.
- There are both single baits and treble baits.
Regardless of the design, all models are perfectly balanced for fishing large areas while attracting predators from afar. Different weight categories allow you to choose the optimal diving depth.
Lucky John Mebaru
Balancers Lucky John Mebaru, whose catalog consists of durable baits for vertical catching of predators, are large in size and have a long tail. Impact-resistant and frost-resistant plastic is used for their manufacture. To provoke the predator to capture the bait using the tail, sharp turns are used. After stopping, it moves back. The variety of sizes allows fishing at great depths from the side of a boat drifting along a gentle current.
The action of the bait depends on which of the three holes in the brass dorsal fin the line is attached to:
- For aggressive play when fishing at different depths, the front hole is used.
- A sweeping game with strong excitement to attract attention is typical for using the middle hole. This method of attachment is good for deep-sea fishing in reservoirs with a clean bottom.
- The rear mount is used for quiet play in a small fishing sector in severe frost with dense vegetation and interference at the bottom.
All Mebaru balancers are equipped with Owner hooks in four sizes and 13 colors. Good for fishing for trout, pike, large perch and pike perch.
New Maiko
The popularity of winter fishing is increasing every year. Fishermen are coming up with more and more effective methods and gear for their hobby due to the fish becoming accustomed to the same type of bait. The Lucky John company does not stand aside and annually updates its product series.
In one of the seasons, a series of Maiko balancers appeared with the name Pro Series. They are made of frost-resistant plastic with a proprietary color.
These are one-piece gear in which the tail does not come off upon contact with a predator. Its shape resembles a beaver's tail, just as streamlined and spade-shaped. The balance beam depicts small, angry, black eyes.
Several types of baits of this series are produced with the following dimensions:
- Length 49 mm corresponds to weight 3 grams.
- 59 mm - 5 grams.
- 69 mm - 10 grams.
- 79 mm - 15 grams.
Some inconvenience of lures in this category is slow fishing as a result of the discrepancy between the weight and the size. For faster sinking, it is recommended to use thinner line compared to conventional baits.
Advantages of Lucky John Pro Series Maiko
Fishermen who have tested the bait note some of its advantages compared to classic balancers.
The bait sinks slowly and swings from side to side with a small amplitude, so it works especially well where there are abundant bushes and underwater dead wood.
With classic balancers, due to the large amplitude of oscillations, there is a significant risk of getting caught on underwater snags and branches where fish like to live. And after using the release, the fish will no longer want to approach the bait.
Wobblers of the Pro Series, having suspended tees on the body and possessing a unique game, allow you to successfully fish in difficult conditions. Pike-perch and perch more often attack the bait, since it rarely clings to snags underwater.
Tips from fishermen who use the “Lucky John” balancer of the “Pro” series:
- use thinner fishing line than with classic balancers;
- suitable for fishing in reservoirs with bushes and snags at the bottom;
- indispensable when catching lazy predators (perch, pike perch);
- It is recommended to fish at a depth of up to 6 meters;
- When fishing, it shows amazing results.
Lucky John Pro Series Maiko
There are more and more fishermen who are happy to go out on the ice. This interesting and exciting activity makes us constantly look for new solutions for using fishing gear to increase the catch. Predatory fish also adapt to the baits used and stop noticing them. Manufacturers have to come up with something new, and fishermen have to select baits and master new fishing options.
At the beginning of each fishing season, the Lucky John company produces interesting and attractive-looking baits. For the next season, the gift was “Lucky John Maiko” - a Pro Series balancer. Frost-resistant plastic and proprietary coloring are used to make the bait.
The peculiarity of the bait is that the tail is part of the body, and is not glued to it. It cannot come off when it is in the mouth of a predator or hits the ice. The shape of the tail is also quite original - a narrow, streamlined blade, reminiscent of a beaver's tail.
Like all balancers and wobblers of the “Lucky John” series “Pro”, the bait has evil black eyes depicted on it. The manufacturer produces wobblers with dimensions of 49, 59, 69, 79 mm, respectively, weighing 3, 5, 10 and 15 g.
One of the disadvantages of the bait is that its weight does not match its size, so it slowly sinks into the water, which entails a slow fishing pace. To quickly deepen the bait and provide tactile sensations, experienced fishermen advise using fishing lines with a thinner diameter compared to classic balancers.
For winter fishing, “Lucky John” balancers for perch are used with a size of 59 mm. This passive and capricious fish, like pike perch, liked the Pro Series balance wobbler.
