Spybait Secrets

LIKE A NINJA warrior, the technique of spybaiting has silently infiltrated the ranks of Bassmaster pros. As with previous lure innovations, anglers would prefer to garner some high finishes before their secret techniques become widely understood. Thus the veil of secrecy and rumor that has surrounded spybaits. Moreover, even the most accomplished pros admit that getting the most from these lures demands a steep learning curve.

Spybait Beginnings

I first heard about spybaiting in 2013 from David Swendseid of Oregon, an avid angler who has worked at Duo Realis as a manager of research and development, as well as with the marketing department. He’d been aware of the technique from his Japanese contacts and began testing Japanese models in Western waters, trying to find the ideal action, size and weight for these unique lures. “I wanted Duo to develop one that would work great for American bass fishing, which varies a lot from Japanese techniques,” Swendseid says. “Over there, the trend began when companies started putting propellers on all sorts of lures. Japanese designers are very creative