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Complete Guide to the Smithwick Rogue FX Series

Learn how FX Series colors differ from other baitfish-imitating colors and how to use different Smithwick Rogue models to catch a variety of gamefish species.

Slightly more than a year ago, Smithwick revolutionized baitfish imitation with the release of the FX Series of colors, which were created by master lure painter Frank Scalish, who is affectionately known in the fishing community as Uncle Frank. The colors were first released in the Suspending Rattlin’ Rogue, with the Perfect 10 Rogue following shortly after. More recently, Smithwick did a limited run of FX Series Pro Rogues, which is available on Lurenet.

With late winter through early spring being a key time for fishing with suspending jerkbaits for bass and with three models of Smithwick Rogue now available in the FX Series, it seemed like an ideal time to dive deeper. We’ll look at what makes this series of colors unique, compare applications for the three models, explore fishing opportunities for multiple species, and discuss how to fish FX Series Smithwick Rogues effectively.

Baitfish Colors the Way Fish See Them

Scalish points out that many baitfish-imitating lure colors on the market look quite a bit like the real thing when you hold them in your hand but just look grey when you see them in the water. This is where the FX Series colors differ. The result of many years of study and experimentation, the FX Colors mimic the way baitfish look in the water – the way fish see them – whether you’re talking about shad, herring, alewives, menhaden or other baitfish varieties.

Scalish started noticing differences in how baitfish looked in the water and out of the water many years ago, originally while fly-fishing in the saltwater. That began the long process of trial and error with countless paint types, colors and painting techniques and underwater observation of lures in action in various light conditions and water colors. The FX Series is a culmination of that process.

Key distinctions of the FX Series colors are complex layering of various pearl tones, semi-translucent sides and an opaque back and undersides, with creamy colors used for the bellies. Instead of each matching surface-level markings of a specific forage species, all six FX colors exhibit the common characteristics of baitfish that show the most in the water as the baitfish move. Distinctions among different FX colors are that they excel in different water colors and light conditions and feature different color accents that are known strike triggers for predator fish species.

FX Rogue Models

3 Smithwick Rogue Models3 Smithwick Rogue Models

Three Smithwick Rogue models, each with different specific appeals, are currently available in the six FX Series colors.

Suspending Rattlin’ Rogue – The Smithwick Suspending Rattlin’ Rogue is the lure that put early spring bass fishing with suspending jerkbaits on the map. Innovative anglers had been secretly weighting minnow-style lures to make them suspend for years, but this Rogue suspended perfectly right out the package, sparking the popularization of this technique. The Suspending Rattlin’ Rogue dives 4 to 6 feet with casting presentation. It is 4 1/2 inches long, and, as the name suggests, it rattles. Its action is subtle – a classic “Rogue roll.”

Perfect 10 Rogue – The P10, as the Perfect 10 Rogue is commonly dubbed, is a larger Rouge with loud rattles, a steep dive angle to get to the zone quickly and the capacity to hit the 10- to12-foot depth range when cast. It was created primarily for bass fishing, and indeed excels when a larger, deeper-diving bait is needed, but is even more popular as a walleye lure. The 12- to 15-foot trolling depth range, 5 1/2-inch length and slightly thicker profile make it ideal for walleyes, especially in larger waterways and waters that produce extra big walleyes.

Pro Rogue – The Smithwick Pro Rogue, which is Jason Christie’s favorite Rogue model, is the same length and shape as the Perfect 10, but its dive angle, running depth and subtle rolling action match that of the Suspending Rattlin’ Rogue. The Pro Rogue falls between the Suspending Rattlin’ Rogue and Perfect 10 Rogue in weight at 1/2 ounce. Like the other two, the Pro Rogue suspends in the water column when not in motion.

Bass, Walleyes & More

striper on FX Series Roguestriper on FX Series Rogue

Suspending varieties of Smithwick Rogues are the most popular among bass anglers, especially during early late winter and early spring, when bass suspend in winter holes and over pre-spawn structure, feeding mostly on shad and herring. A Rogue’s subtle roll and suspending nature match the behavior of the winter-chilled forage fish. The new FX Series colors masterfully match the bait’s appearance.

As noted above, the Perfect 10 has emerged as one of the most popular and effective walleye trolling lures in the Great Lakes region, and the FX Colors suggest alewives, smelt and other important forage species. Important applications extend beyond big-water P10 trolling, though. The Suspending Rogue and Pro Rogue are extremely well suited for casting and trolling for walleyes in river and lakes.

Because FX Series Rogues imitate baitfish of many different kinds, they provide an excellent option for gamefish of several varieties in freshwater and saltwater settings. In freshwater locations that includes trout, pike, sauger, striped bass and striper/white bass hybrids. Saltwater species commonly caught with Rogues include bluefish, redfish, speckled trout and bluefish, and all regularly feed on baitfish that the FX Series colors effectively match.

Jerkbait Presentation Elements

  • Jerk – Since bass anglers dub them jerkbaits, it’s no surprise that a “jerk” is key to many Rogue presentations. The sharpness and length of the rod movement can vary, but the jerk is a snap of the rod tip that begins with a bit of slack in the line at gets jerked out to make the lure dart.
  • Drag – Some anglers prefer to drag a jerkbait, more so than jerking it, or they opt to mix jerks and drags. Key differences are that a drag normally starts with the line tight and is a slower sweep of rod. This creates a subtler and more controlled Rogue roll.
  • Jiggle – Jiggling or shaking the rod tip engages a Rogue’s rattles and creates a quick action that is erratic but without being sharp.  Jiggling can be important for triggering strikes from fish that have been watching a suspended bait.
  • Pause – Often, the pause makes the magic with suspending jerkbaits, and many fish will only attack a suspending bait that’s hanging defenselessly between darts and wobbles. A pause can be momentary or can last several seconds, and the fish’s preferences can vary daily, making experimentation important. Colder conditions tend to favor longer pauses, and on some days the most productive presentations include agonizingly long pauses.
  • Crank – Although it’s not the norm for pre-spawn bass fishing, don’t overlook the virtue of casting and reeling a jerkbait bait back steadily, either with the rod held stationary or with twitches of the rod tip. Reeling steadily, just fast enough to keep the swimming action engaged, can be tough to top for spring walleyes, while cranking faster and adding regular rod twitches often works great for speckled trout and redfish.