The Smithwick Limited Rogue possesses a unique action and top quality components that place it in an elite ‘limited’ category of fishing lures. The lure’s versatility separates it from other baits and makes it a “must-have” bait from early spring to late fall.
Early spring finds Midwest anglers targeting brown trout and walleye. The 4½-inch Limited Rogue is a natural for long line trolling for both species. Spring means cold, clear water and slower fish metabolisms. With water temperatures still hovering in the 40s, keep trolling speeds down between .7 and 1.3 mph for walleye and brown trout. Even under extremely slow speeds, the Limited Rogue maintains an attractive swimming and rolling action. Since brown trout are notorious for being line shy and boat wary, trolling leads should be kept long at 100- to 250-feet, and trolling patterns should include occasional S-turns to speed up and slow down baits. The Limited Rogue’s ultra sharp Gamakatsu hooks means superior hooking percentages even with long leads and slow trolling speeds.
Use natural-colored baits like the Hot Rod, T-Shad, and Green Perch for brown trout. To target walleyes, shorten leads to 50-150 feet depending on the depth and clarity of the water. Flashier colors like Nuclear Clown, Sour Grape and The General should also be employed for walleye. The larger 5½-inch Limited Rogue can be a prime bait when trolling after dark. The larger profile and added vibration of this lure make it easier for walleye to locate at night.
Once late Spring arrives, stock the box with Limited Rogues in Sour Grape and Thumper colors for post spawn largemouth bass. Fished across the tops of the newly emerging weed flats in 4- to 8-feet of water, big bass eat up the Limited Rogue on a slow steady retrieve or when fished as a jerkbait with slow steady pulls and long deliberate pauses that allow the lure to suspend in place.
When the water heats up in summer and the weedbeds are established, a full range of fish utilize this cover to ambush prey. Cast the 5½-inch Limited Rogue for pike, walleye and bass along the weed edges. Use a fairly stout rod and 14-pound test line or greater to rip the lure down to its maximum depth on your first crank of the reel. With the lure down 5 or 6 feet, work it back to the boat with a variety of twitches and pulls of the rod. Keep the rod tip low to the water and always be ready to set the hook. Walleye and bass frequently hit when the lure is at rest between twitches. Pike hit whenever they want to.
For anglers living around the Great Lakes, fall means salmon returning to the harbors and streams to spawn. Last fall the Limited Rogue was a key producer for shorebound anglers looking to tangle with 20-pound-plus salmon cruising the shorelines and harbors. The key to catching big chinook salmon from shore is to vary one’s retrieve. Certain days salmon want a slow steady retrieve. Other times, salmon want the lure worked with a quick, erratic action. The premium finishes, unique action and castability of the Limited Rogue make it an excellent choice for Great Lake’s salmon and trout.
From spring to fall, the Limited Rogue produces all variety of fish species.