The Secret Lure I Debated Not Sharing On YouTube

[@AlfonsoRamirez-fg5tm]

Replacement arrived!By the way, I did forget to mention that the original lure did have a decent strike however as most anglers will attest you can get a hit kzbin.infoUgkxCbNOWAGmn6nfbCbJDmasvBq7J38KZNw2 and fish will hang on and release lure. I used the replacement lure yesterday and ran thru a Shimano Waxwing, Kastmaster, Bobber (set to sink). I found the does run deep (I casting on the flats 3.5'). Make sure you adjust your rate of retrieve and rod tip angle (up) to prevent getting snagged on bottom. Used it a couple of times and action was very lifelike (looked like local bait fish for trevally), craftsmanship very good....however eyeball fell out. I asked for replacement and it is on it's way! It was very easy to change out treble to single inline hook.

[@rickblue7972]

I just subscribed to you Randy. I am 71 and disabled but I'm going to start fishing again. You are a great guy to be sharing your secrets.

[@daltonwade7908]

Good for you man, get after it!

[@mikeantes9597]

That looks as if it was designed to mimic goby in northern small mouth lakes.thanks for sharing Randy.

[@vernonhall1821]

It is a goby .its a smallmouth killer

[@mikej9619]

I thought the same thing...SO I bought 20 of them and only caught rockbass. Guy in the same boat with me slayed the smallies on ned rigs! I will try it again this year, it looks so awesome in the water but the great lakes smallies must be laffing at it. LOL

[@Ductdog]

@@mikej9619 had the same experience but I caught nothing on the goby

[@mikej9619]

@@Ductdog I have had the same experience with all life like gobie imitating lures. The more lifelike, the less success. Throw a worm that looks like a piece of turd at them and they go nuts.

[@Ductdog]

@@mikej9619 yeah thought is had a secret weapon for Lake Champlain last year. Was gonna show the boys how to do it but no their turds showed me!

[@jamespowellii1191]

Awesome Bait.....Been using the Dark Sleeper for a couple years. My PB SMB came on it along with a couple others over 6lbs. Downsize in the Spring to the little one and upsize in the Fall. Trim the Dorsal fin to expose the hook point to increase the hook ups and landing success.

[@bassdojo]

Great to about exposing the hook. I've had a few fish come off... That'll fix it!!

[@MT-oh8vi]

No doubt, the Dark Sleeper catches fish. Thanks for sharing these tips, especially how to fish them, and modifications. A lot of fishing info on KZbin, but yours is some of the best.

[@heatherfulwiler1537]

I fish the great lakes and I'm not a pro at all. I normally just fish live bate and love Pike fishing. I started watching videos on fishing getting ready for our trip and found your channel. I got so excited I ended up buying a pole just to do artificial fishing. Bought different things you recommended and I've learned to bait and rigged up my bait. I'm very excited to try this out as I have not caught a bass up there yet, everyone else has and it's my bucket list to do so. Now I've caught them in our lake where I'm from in Oregonia ohio, but not yet in the great lakes. Thank you for teaching me as I've learned so much from you!

[@gunn89]

I tried these about 2 year ago and never had any luck, however I can't help but like these.

[@F1Hopeful]

Works great in saltwater too!!! Thanks for your honesty Randy. Best of luck to you!!!!

[@mattolivo]

This is one of my favorite baits right now. The dark sleeper is a beast. Also the Catch Co. Head Hunter is a good bait as well

[@jamescaspersamanthalintner4767]

Tactical bassin love the sleeper. First time I heard about it was from them years ago.but I don't see many local guys throwing it here, it flat catches them . Great video

[@nickk4247]

Same story here. I picked it up from the TacBassin guys too, and it definitely catches them when other stuff just can't. I've been throwing it more and more.

[@MyAngleFishing]

Amazon has Generic ones that are the exact same for $11 a 5 pack I have had great success with them for smallmouth largemouth and rock bass. Thanks for the breakdown Take care

[@tfishercanadianeh8738]

Up here in Ontario Canada I use the 3 inch Goby for Jumbo Perch yes perch 14 inch and bigger. Small Mouth love them to cast, drag, twitch, and hold.

[@TheToyReviewer1984]

I love the dark sleeper! I have caught so many fish on it. Fishing it on the rocks in Lake Erie, the Smallies can’t stand it! They crush it! It’s a great Goby imitator. I love the 1/2oz 3”. Megabass does it again! Thanks for the tips Randy! 💪

[@jeremytjensvold9936]

Everybody out here on Clearlake has been killin em on the DS. Keep em comin Randy!

[@johnnyb1776]

I grabbed a couple at BPS in a green and a bream color first of winter. I fish a large reservoir nearby, and catch fish letting it fall down steep banks. I’ve caught bass in 50 ft of water in the middle of the lake in winter. Thanks for sharing Randy.

[@tomyoungblood2394]

Thanks Randy, I'm learning a lot from your videos. Going to Lake Fork tomorrow for a week. I will let you know how the Dark Sleeper did.

[@kennethfieldsjr.968]

Good stuff Randy. With you being primarily a shallow water guy, I figure you have an extensive amount of knowledge of early, early top water presentations when the right opportunities come into play. Would you mind doing a video on early top water conditions and techniques. Buzzbait, Frogs, poppers, etc. Thanks a lot for what you do.

[@shamis01]

I have 2 or 3 of these and now I realize that I have not given it enough attention. My main issue has been not knowing what applications to use it in. Now thanks to Randy I have a better understanding of the bait and how to properly use it. Thank you for the insight.

[@judweaver3635]

Even without watching the video, that's a Dark Sleeper. Tactical Bassin has talked about the effectiveness of this little bait for a couple of years.

[@HanSoloxcs]

Want a cookie?

[@skunk12]

@@HanSoloxcs clown. Jud is pointing out that this "secret" isnt much of a secret. He gets credit.

[@erichildreth7562]

I have seen these but I have never used them. I will have to take a look at these and thank you for all of the information that you have provided for us all!

[@coryhall4457]

It's won of my favorites I just never thought about flipping it game changer. Thank you Randy.

[@randyblaukatintuitive]

Here’s the Fish the Moment Tackle Warehouse link again...www.tacklewarehouse.com/?from=FTM

[@flyfishmerc]

Wow Randy I bought 2 of the larger sizes over a year ago and have never tied them on. I will now. Thanks for the vid, you and Johnny do great work.

[@armandorjusino]

Do I like the video? Man, you are teaching me so much stuff that even my friends are like why you are into YT so much? ty for sharing your vast knowledge.

[@guitarboos48]

Thanks always a pleasure listen to you

[@gregrogers3579]

Thank you for this tip, me and my wife just bought a boat and absolutely love fishing. We go all over Alabama and are planning trips around the South. Look forward to watching more as you send them. Thanks

[@WesleyKennedy]

Been fishing these for the past 2+ years and they are great bed baits, smallie baits and fantastic around shallow or deep rock

[@rustygregg3548]

Randy, thanks again really love your comments on different setups.

[@jeremyjohnson8243]

I wore several of them out last summer had to place a couple orders. They're great and very affordable.

[@robertveith2255]

Thanks can't wait to try it !!!!!!!

[@hillbillytarzan]

Affordable? Megabass?

[@jeremyjohnson8243]

@@hillbillytarzan I hear ya dude lol but they're like 5 or 6 bux. Fish catching machines. Ebay has the cheap Chinese knock offs of them for like 2 or 3 bux but I haven't fished em.

[@menotyou816]

Ive caught more bass on the dark sleepers then any other bait. Muddy water. Clear water. Stained... Love it!!

[@danham3344]

The Dark Sleeper is the first bait I throw when I go to bottom baits on a fairly clean bottom or small rocks/gravel, I throw it before a jig. I want to let everyone know not to limit trying it in only clean water. I have caught many fish on main & secondary points in 1 foot visibility when nothing else would work. You just have to fish it much slower and in the brighter colors. I also add some chartreuse to the sides and tail in dirty water.

[@Apostle_Fishing]

Went out to Lake Michigan and used it got some bites but still haven’t caught something with it gotta trim the fins and try again..

[@florissant_fish2852]

I’ve always just reeled it in and never had any luck, that interesting that you say to drag and or hop it. I will try that for sure 👍🏽

[@garydalrymple855]

I guess for once I got ahead of the curve. Saw this on Tackle warehouse about 3 years ago. I use all 3 sizes and basically 2 colors 1 dark and the one you showed. The med and small is also go on white bass and large crappie. I always have one tied on!

[@samuelyoon5701]

Chris Zaldain and Tactical Bassin have both made videos on the Dark Sleeper already and it truly is a great bait.

[@acecolby5545]

Love fish the moment. First time watching ur vidz. Just subscribed. Thanks for the info. Hitting broken bow this weekend

[@robdeezy420]

Thank you so much Randy for 411 will definitely try this out ... thank you for the tips and tricks bud!

[@joebaggs78]

I don't know if it was mentioned in the video or not, but the first thing I do when I get a dark sleeper is pop the eyes off and use a little bit of super glue gel to put them back on. Otherwise the eyes usually fall off within your first two casts. Probably doesn't matter too much to fish. In my first three or four cast I caught two Largemouth on it

[@kwd1253]

Matt and tim only youtuber/pro that has really talked about the dark sleeper. Nice you touch up on this bait.

[@jerrythomas8604]

I heard Matt and Tim are secret lovers.

[@kwd1253]

@@jerrythomas8604 lol

[@adamw8941]

I think that bait would do well in saltwater too. Wonder how hard you have to set that hook to part the dorsal fin. I'd definitely trim that dorsal fin too.

[@hookshot2351]

Thanks Randy. Awesome insight! I’ll be on these.

[@sha6mm]

Looks like a good walleye lure. I would like to jig it around flooded tree tops.

[@craigstevens9734]

Definitely appreciate all your time and tips and experience .Hope you have a great day.

[@timevans6815]

Interesting I catch most of my fish swimming it a few bottom bouncing but smallmouth love this bait in the pink and chartreuse color

[@novocainesoul4529]

I took a few years off from bass fishing, I moved to a different state, walleye is king here. However, I heard there is a big population of small and largemouth here. Very few people fish for them. I will be out there with this lure I have never heard of this spring for sure. Thanks Randy🤩

[@johnhanes3450]

Love your style and how you share. Thanks for sharing years of knowledge with us.

[@legionssb]

Lol I’ve been using these for a while, I knew exactly what it was from the thumbnail! Absolutely one of the best under the radar swimbaits, the guys at tacticalbassin have been talking about these for years, they straight catch fish, the small 2.4 size will even catch panfish and the action is insane

[@mikewelter180]

Thanks for bringing it back to my attention Randy! I too, originally discovered it from the TacticalBassin fellas about 1.5 years ago. Had decent luck with it at LOZ in the past. Fishing a (might be a washout) club tourney this weekend at Stockton. If the clarity isn't too crappy I might give it a try. Thanks for all of your hard work and all that you and Jonny contribute to helping the common guy that's just trying to better their fishing experience.

[@marinusreister474]

I actually bent out one of those hooks on a tree. They're not great around wood, but they are great everywhere else

[@phil2470]

Hey Randy. I have never used one of these lures but I want to give one a try this year if I get a chance. I appreciate the tips on trimming the fin and pulling the hook up a bit. They seem like they would really help prevent missed hooksets. Thanks again.

[@Itz1Adam12]

I found out about this from TacticalBassin last year. Can't wait to smash some fish on it this year. Killer bait!

[@johndeluca1614]

Thanks for the tips about this bait. I'll bet they'll be a great Goby imitator for Great Lakes Smallmouth fishing. I look forward to more details about sizes, colors, and how to work them.

[@markchambers2812]

Randy this is my favorite fishing channel

[@randyblaukatintuitive]

Thx Mark!

[@stevegerber835]

Starting my day with your knowledge, learning a lot Randy, thank you. I see you got some wood on the walls, looking good.

[@macking4942]

Keep hearing about this bait. Would love to try it on Hartwell... Yes more specifics and details on this bait would be awesome. As always, GREAT info!

[@chuckhoeppner1459]

Thanks for sharing this "secret bait" with us. I'm looking forward to giving it a try on West Okoboji in Iowa for small mouth.

[@waynerandles6126]

Thanks for the tips it looks like a goby / or a mudskipper where I come from,I bought something like it from another brand but have never got around to using it I reckon black would be a good colour!

[@dwaynevuolo9179]

Thanks I have thought about it, but now I’m ready to try it. 👍

[@numberonenole4590]

The dark sleeper is a great little swimsuit. Agreed!!

[@JAIROLUISDIAZ1999]

I caught 3pd on clear water the way it ambushed it under water was great. Good lure absolutely

[@richglenn2474]

Ha thanks for info just recently purchased wasn't sure how to us them sounds goid can't wait to give then a try thank you

[@ernestolongoria1221]

Just caught a nice bass today on the dark sleeper! 🎣 Great video Randy!

[@toddlester8063]

Sweet, I have that lure! Just never worked it in the way you described. Thanks!

[@archangel19]

Great! Tactical bassin and now Randy.... Good luck finding these now

[@jeremyduncan9165]

I can’t believe you have shared what you have. Thanks 🙏. Another great video!

[@fryeguy9939]

THANKS RANDY... I KNOW THAT WASN'T EASY TO LET GO OF THIS , BUT I APPRECIATE THAT YOU DID... IT SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER... I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD HAVE.. BUT CAN TELL YOU,I WON'T SAY ANYTHING TO ANYONE EXCEPT MY SON...

[@jimcorbett4115]

Awesome bait for sure, plain gets bit! I've also killed with it burning it just under the surface at times and spots you would throw a top water. They come up and smash the thing. 3/8ounce 2.75 is my favorite one to throw..pink or chartreuse dead of summer

[@StormRidersFishing]

I have really good luck with the 2.4” for small mouth in my river system.

[@FOG_3]

Chris Zaldain was talking about using them out west and having good success with them in tournaments in Texas

[@MaximilianTheBassFisherman]

Been waiting on this one. The dark sleeper has been an absolute killer for the last few years for me

[@albertmarion9837]

thank you Randy. I can't wait for the ice to clear southern Georgian bay so i can put all I've learned to use.

[@jerrymcqueen7960]

I’ve taken your valuable advice concerning purchasing megabass lures. I’ve purchased 6 lures. 3 jerk and 3 deep divers. I’m giving one of each to my son and keeping the rest. Time will tell if I catch 10 times as many fish as my fishing buddy. Hoping it’s true.

[@Captain_Kdawg]

We don’t have goby around the southern waters. Has any one had luck with these in the southern waters for largemouth?

[@gregsloan9590]

Thank you Randy. Awesome!!

[@datruthhurts3984]

Well since the cats out the bag,start throwing the smaller ones now on beds.great for spawning flats ,and I get a better hook up ratio because they can't just "move it"without getting the hook.I don't trim it,but I do bend that hook up a tad like a frog

[@tngreenevfl2022]

Randy thank you so much I have been waiting on this video ever since I bought one of these last year

[@MrFernier]

always good idea to keep your lights behind the camera!

[@creighart]

Got a tacklebox just for the darksleepers. Any ideas how to use the hook for any other plastics once tails get bit off by pickerel

[@larryreynolds7822]

Ever use the 1oz single spot, a old school oldie?

[@trickytrav88]

My secret bass bait for fresh and saltwater bass is the berkley gulp white 3" to 5" curly tail grub..its works all year and on beds for sure

[@jeffatkinson6940]

Thanks for the video. I’m new but I just picked up a 3 pack about 2 months again. 🇺🇸🤘🍻

[@stratos175escape7]

OK I bit, LOL As soon as I watched this video I went a bought 3 of these yesterday and will be slinging one this weekend!

[@jenlvjim]

Been throwing this for about a year and you are right on

[@raymaylone8563]

This was a cool video I just purchased some for the first time early this year I was amazed how well they work! Would like to see or know what the follow up videos will be put out. I watch your videos and just subscribe recently to get all the new updates. Thanks for your knowledge

[@josephmannix5120]

Could you also do a video in tail spins

[@KokoB1883]

I have few soft body goby baits, but haven’t put any time into fishing them. One forgotten bait that is awesome for flipping is the reaper 👍

[@MrDonohuea]

I've got 60 of em in my boat right now. Funny though, the river smallies around me only take it when used like a swimbait.

[@hillbillytarzan]

I’ve been using that for couple years but I’ve found something even better. No, it isn’t Megabass, but believe it or not, it still works lol

[@adamsmith3996]

I live on lake erie. That lure will definitely crush the smallies. Thanks

[@markmancinelli2980]

Love these baits, but never pitched em! Many thanks my friend

[@offgridwhitetails8768]

Awesome bait for fishing dock lights also.

[@fishthruit]

Looks great! Thanks for sharing, I've never seen one!

[@mattwest6669]

I’m can’t wait to try them. Thanks for the video.

[@bobrhine9057]

I actually bought a half dozen of these two yrs ago and some guide friends on Lake Toho and Kissimmee laughed me off the water. They have to be worked faster because if the hydrilla... They will catch fish in stained water in FLA. Friends on Lake Erie and St. Clair say they imitate Gobi and slay both small- largemouth and walleye. Fish it slow and close to the bottom.

[@josephmannix5120]

Hey Randy how should I fish a shallow lake with lots of reeds and fully covered by pads that's only 2 feet deep max thanks

[@josephmannix5120]

@Chase Rasmussen thanks I've tried most of those but the only times I've been there are when the lake was low so it was 1 footndeep

[@randyblaukatintuitive]

Try flipping a zoom ultra vibe speed worm

[@johnmcclure1572]

I’m not a tournament guy but really like fishing tablerock. What colors would you recommend for that lake

[@nitroz8proxs]

Hey Randy you were doing your favorite and least favorite lakes by state for awhile, I hope you do Tennessee at some point!

[@davidsedlacek3855]

Really good bait up on Erie, been using it for "years" ever since "tactical bassin" guys mentioned it. It has been a best seller ever since on TW. In open water I usually remove the top fin, helps with hook sets, I believe.

[@wesleyklees4374]

Randy, I live in Huntsville Al, and avoid Guntersville because of the number of people, I'm a Chief Warrant Officer in the Army who lives on Redstone Arsenal and therefore fishes Wheeler lake up the river from the on post boat ramps...so I'm fishing the main Tennessee River and the creeks..can you discuss the nuances of fishing a river versus a lake, the locality of the fish and fishing the current?

[@adamcaldwell553]

Another Megabass lure any serious angler should have in their arsenal. Specifically the 3/8 and 1/2oz. The 1/4 and 1oz. are worthwhile but in my experience the 3/8 and 1/2oz. are my bread and butter Dark Sleeper weights all in the 3" version. The 3/8 and 1/2oz. fish perfectly on the ST. Croix Legend Tournament Bass Swimfrog rod or the Megabass Orochi XX Perfect Pitch!!