Atomic Semi Hardz, Completely Awesome!

by Luke Galea

I have heard a lot of hype surrounding the new Atomic Semi-Hardz and I wanted to see for myself what all the rave was about. The “Minnows” vary in size from 40mm right up to a massive 110mm which I can’t wait to give a swim in the impoundments this coming barra season (now well underway). The standard treble hooks and heavy through-wire construction offers an extremely tough lure which is ready to swim straight out of the box. The “vibes” range from 40mm-60mm in length and 10.6 grams to 21.8 grams in weight.

I had planned a trip with a few mates as a thorough test against the reputable sooty grunter who are renowned for bending out trebles, rings and taking you to the cleaners given half a chance.

I love the feel of these lures. They are made from a super ‘tuff’ and durable rubber which goes a long way in lure preservation but aids in a more natural feeling lure as well, so the fish is likely to hold onto it for longer. It feels like the real thing.

Even though I have now only used the “Minnows” on this one trip, I must say that it performs exceptionally well and can’t wait to use them again in the impoundments and also in the estuary for small GT’s and Queenies. It is a sub-surface stickbait that casts like a bullet, but the facet I love the most about it is the fact that it sinks nice and slow and wobbles seductively from side to side on the drop. I got most of my strikes as I cast this lure hard up against the structure and let it sink down along side it.

I ended up catching seven sootys. Six of these were caught on the 75mm Atomic Semi-Hardz Minnows in the colours of Silver Wolf and Muddy Prawn.

The Samurai 302 Bluewater was weighted just perfectly enough to flick this lure a country mile without putting an un-natural curve in the blank. This rod is without doubt my favourite rod for sooty grunter and anyone who has caught them will know that they fight like an absolute train.

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