SWL Prostaff - Justin Hires

Home: Lexington, Kentucky

Years Fishing: 18 years

Occupation: N.P.T., National Divisions Coordinator, Journalist, Tournament Director, Website Admin, (U.S.A. Bassin National Tournament Trail)

Hobbies: Experimenting/Modification/Field Testing Lures, Journalism

Boat: Javelin Venom 18

Sponsors: Secret Weapon Lures, since 2002, All Terrain Tackle, Nervous B's Baits. Justin was the originator of Secret Weapon's Moonlight Snack spinnerbait pattern.

Tournaments: U.S.A. Bassin, Opens

Favorite Lake: Lake Barkley, Kentucky

Favorite Fishing Lures: SWL Spinnerbaits & Buzzbaits, Jig-n-Pig, Rat-L-Trap with a SWL small red willow blade, Soft Plastics with a Charlie Brewer's original Slider Head.

Favorite Reels: Quantum

Favorite Rods: Kistler

Favorite Line: Sufix Elite

Tips & Techniques:

• The best tip you could ever get about spinnerbaits: use the best spinnerbait ever invented' Secret Weapon Lures.
• Read Justin's tip on how to use Secret Weapon Quick-clip Blade Attachments to upgrade your lipless crankbaits.
• Here is a tip for installing a trailer hook when you're not fishing heavy cover. Slide the trailer hook on the main hook first, and then install a keeper (tubing, etc.) on the main hook. This lets the trailer hook swing freely, which in turn hooks more bass.
• In murky water or at night install a swimming chunk to give the spinnerbait a bigger profile.
• Change blades often. Always change the blades to suit the weather conditions (sunny, cloudy, dark) water clarity (in different areas of the lake), and the mood of the fish. When the fish stop hitting, try a different blade. Many times just the difference in vibration, size, or flash can trigger strikes.
• Try something different. Don't be afraid to go against the norm. This can offten lead to filling your limit, by catching a few curious fish! 
• Install a small red Colorado or willowleaf blade on the front. This makes it look like a wounded baitfish.

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