BEMIDJI, Minn. (August 1, 2023) – Northland Fishing Tackle has introduced its latest innovation: the Pitchin’ Puppet, a unique glide bait that offers anglers control like never before. Just as Metallica captivated the world with their critically acclaimed 1986 album "Master of Puppets," Northland aims to transform walleye fishing with this game-changing lure.
"Master of Puppets,"
The Pitchin’ Puppet draws inspiration from the evolution of glide baits, merging the traditional with modern enhancements. Longtime fishing guide and music aficionado Brian “Bro” Brosdahl, who has a deep understanding of walleye baits, noted the journey of glide baits began two decades ago. "I had glide baits in my ice fishing box and started playing with them in open-water pretty early on," said Brosdahl. "They’ve put tons of fish in the boat for me and my clients over the years. However, the problem has always been that front nose hook, which tends to foul-hook as many fish as it catches, and frequently snags everything from rocks to wood to weeds."
"I had glide baits in my ice fishing box and started playing with them in open-water pretty early on,"
Brosdahl’s experiences echo the challenges faced by many anglers who have tried using traditional glide baits designed more for vertical jigging than for casting. While many tackle manufacturers have attempted to tackle the snags associated with the nose hook, few have succeeded to the extent of Northland's innovative design.
Race Results
Brad Hawthorne, a guide on Mille Lacs Lake, played an integral role in the development of the Pitchin’ Puppet. "The technology is awesome," exclaimed Hawthorne. "The encasing—whatever they’re calling it—is the most durable finish I’ve ever seen on a glide bait. You might get a few scratches working it through the rocks, but get it wet, and it goes right back to normal."
Hawthorne highlights the bait's efficient design for active fishing. "It’s a fast-thinking deal to get in front of fish," he explained. What stands out to him is the lure’s groundbreaking absence of a nose hook, which resolves a prevalent issue with traditional designs. “You can catch fish on just about any glide bait on the market, but they lack a well-designed hooking system," he said. “That’s what took us the longest with this new design."
"It’s a fast-thinking deal to get in front of fish,"
Race Results
The Pitchin’ Puppet is engineered to maximize the potential for hooking fish. Hawthorne emphasized that, unlike old standards, "one out of three walleyes are snagged on a traditional minnow-style glide bait. Not the case with the new Pitchin’ Puppet; fish are inhaling this lure.” This innovative approach to glide bait design has resulted in a product that is not only effective but user-friendly.
For Hawthorne, the technique to use the Pitchin’ Puppet has become intuitive. "I like to set the bow-mount trolling motor to .8 to 1 mph and pitch the bait out 60 to 70 feet behind the boat and just sit, pop, and snap jig it," he shared. As summer progresses, he has found great success using the middle 2-3/8”, 5/8-ounce version in deeper waters. "It’s basically your old #7, but a little bit more compact and lacking the nose hook," he remarked.
"It’s basically your old #7, but a little bit more compact and lacking the nose hook,"
Career Journey
Further enhancing the Pitchin’ Puppet’s appeal is its performance over various bottom substrates. Hawthorne explained, "Without the nose hook, you don’t get snagged nearly as often as with most glide baits. I’ve replaced all the glide baits in my boat with Pitchin’ Puppets. It's not unheard of to fish four or five different bottom substrates on a given day, everything from rock, sand, to mud." This versatility makes the bait particularly beneficial for guides and recreational anglers alike.
In today's fishing environment, technology plays an essential role, and the Pitchin’ Puppet has proven to be compatible with modern equipment. Hawthorne noted the bait's remarkable visibility when using forward-facing sonar. "The bait shows up like a beam of light on forward-facing sonar," he said. "There’s no mistaking that you’re throwing a brand-new bait with a much-improved sonar signature."
"The bait shows up like a beam of light on forward-facing sonar,"
As anglers continue to evolve their techniques, the Pitchin’ Puppet offers them a new tool to chase trophy fish more effectively than ever before. With its dedication to performance and ease of use, this glide bait is set to make a significant impact on fishing trips across the country.
