Don't overpay for manta's

[setterguy]

Took this little blurb off another muskie site...I've checked on it and it is true.

Hi:

I just spoke with Paul Meshak, who has purchased the former River Run Tackle Co., and he said he's in the process of gearing up production of the River Run line. This includes the popular Manta, which has been commanding a pretty high price on HSOList and other Internet sites.

Right now Mantas are available at Kurt's Island Sports Center in Minocqua, 715-356-4797. I just made a quick call and confirmed they have them in stock.

Steve Heiting

[bonelach]

Great to know, thanks for the heads up. There is not a better glide bait out there in my opinion.

[JRedig]

This is what I heard a few weeks ago, great news!!

Now if those [PoorWordUsage] fish would just get hooked on these things...

-JR

[Esox_Magnum]

Hopefully they improve the hooksetting ability on them. I have never held anything on mine.

[b1gf1sh1]

Quote:

Hopefully they improve the hooksetting ability on them. I have never held anything on mine.

you may want to try puting a VMC SURE SET on the back. both if you want but at least the back. weight is important so the same size is important... just a thought.

[JRedig]

I don't think it's the manufacture's problem/fault....

[bonelach]

One thing to try is working it slower. Granted, I have know idea how fast any of you work your manta's, but I work mine slower than most and have experienced a fairly good hooking percentage. Nothing like a bucktail percentage, plenty of swings and misses, but I use the original hooks and have put a few in the boat with it.

[Esox_Magnum]

I'm guilty of not using them enough to give them a fair chance. Since I was turned onto the Hellhounds few of my other gliders get much attention. I do have a new hang 10 I'm going to give a work out come cooler waters though.

[SkeezerLeo]

Muskies tend to shake the best of baits. I have had multiple chances at big fish on the super beleavers and lost em, but yet i have caught large numbers of fish on theese baits aswell. Maybe try a hook sharpener or even replacing hooks after awhile they tend to rust, bend, barbs fall off etc.

[Crestliner Rog]

Thanks for the info on Manta's. I wanted to pick up a couple.

Seems like the fish like to eat em', but I can't keep them hooked. I was wondering if it was the weight? You can feel them shaking their head, then their gone.

I also find it a challenge figure eighting a manta when you have one of those slow follows.

[Lare Pie]

A buddy & I have boated fish the very first time using the baits. Got me hooked on them. They have triple split rings and big trebles, all high quality. I'm glad they are making a come back!

[SkeezerLeo]

I think its the weight, shaking head, jumping, tearing, thrashing, all of the above. Hooks aint supposed to work all the time or else itd be just to easy.

[steffanf]

Don't necessarily believe everything you hear. The guys at Thorne Brothers tell me that they have not heard of them coming out again. He heard of the new owners that own the rights to the bait, but not that the lure is being reproduced again. The owner told me that he would likely be one of the first to know of this, if it were true. We will see...

[SkeezerLeo]

well then dont listen to the shmuck at thorney, u said dont beleave everything u hear.

[steffanf]

I said do not NECESSARILY believe this. And, I wouldn't exactly call the folks at TB "schmucks". Personally, I am not necessarily believing it either way yet. I'll wait to see one in person. Not that it's a big deal either way... I like using my Phantoms just fine...

[RomanCandle]

[Note from admin: Please read forum policy before posting again. Thank you.]

[10,000 Casts]

Mantas were availible last year for certain retailers in limited quantity. Reeds had them but the sold out by July. the Mantas that you are seeing are probably from last years orders.

[JRedig]

In addition to what RomanCandle posted, I bought a couple direct from River Run this fall...that was in October sometime.

[DHanson]

I wouldn't buy one even if it was $5. I sold the only 1 I had not long ago. Looks good in the water, but the bait isn't for me.

[eyehead]

It seems like Manta's hypnotize musky's. Way to smooth a cadance for me. Lots of follows with em and no eaters....

[JRedig]

Way to smooth a cadance for me.

That's not the bait's fault...

I'm not a fan of the regular one's, I do love the shallow and hang 10's though. Great lures!

[guideman]

I own a number of Mantas of every kind. I have caught fish on most of them. I always change out the original hooks to a longer shank wide gap. The hook up persentage went way up after this modification.

Any larger heavy bait can get thrown by the fish. It gives them alot of leverage when they shake their head.

It's just something you have to deal with. You will lose fewer fish on these baits if you keep the rtod tip low, or even in the water.

Keep the presure from the side instead of from above and you'll have better success getting fish to the boat with a Manta.

"Ace"

Happy Holidays!

[eyehead]

That's probably true JRedic, So whats the secret to getting them to hit a Manta?? My Manta's have no belly roll or anything. Just the side to side garbage. I like to play cat and mouse and make them eat a bait. Any pointers???

[JRedig]

I fish them over weeds usually. I try to tick the tops of the weeds and rip them away. Also, get creative with your retrieve. Long-long-long-short-short-long-short and any combination there of. Just like any other bait, you get a fish on it, speed it up. Faster taps, shorter swings etc. I've had fish come unglued when I do a total stop too, or again when I start moving it after that stop. Long swings before the stop, short's after, stop multiple times during a retrieve etc etc etc. Get creative!