A representative Japanese walking bait that allows anyone to easily perform a rhythmic dog-walk action

Swimming Action

1. The Evolution of DOG-X: From Inception to the Birth of Iconic Japanese-made Walking Bait

The DOG-X, introduced in 1990, can be described as a legendary walking bait that changed the history of Japanese-made walking baits by excelling in pinpoint fishing and serving as an effective search bait for covering a wide area. Although it has been discontinued due to mold wear, let's explore the development history of the original DOG-X, which laid the foundation for various DOG-X series.

(Photo: Penta)

The prototype of the original DOG-X was crafted by Mr. Ito in 1979 and was affectionately named "Penta." It was created from a piece of driftwood, adorned with painted patterns, and featured a glass eye. While its design may seem far from resembling real fish by today's standards, it was typical of walking baits during that era. Functionally, during the "Penta" era, the emphasis was on accurately targeting visible obstacles such as standing trees and bridge piers. Concepts like efficiently tracing vast shallows or advanced castability, which are essential today, were not a focus at that time.

Mr. Ito, after using "Penta" in various fishing situations, realized that while it performed well in some scenarios, it faced challenges when used from the shore or for long-distance casting. This led him to recognize the significance of creating a versatile lure that could excel in various fishing conditions. He shifted his approach from subjective, instinct-driven product development to a more objective evaluation of products. This marked the beginning of Mr. Ito's current style of thorough research and development.

In 1991, "Penta" was finally commercialized as the DOG-X and quickly gained popularity. It led to the development of series like the GIANT DOG-X. In 1992, it made history by catching the largest fish in the 9th annual B.A.S.S. Megabucks Tournament in the U.S., becoming the first Japanese-made lure to achieve such recognition in the U.S. market. This event marked the start of MEGABASS gaining recognition in the U.S.

2. Anyone Can Achieve the Dog Walk Action

The GIANT DOG-X, released in 1997 as the successor to the original DOG-X, gained immense popularity and was often traded for US$225-375, alongside the POP X. The reason for its popularity was its user-friendly nature in the world of walking baits, where adding action to the lure is often considered challenging and demands angler skill.

The fundamental technique for using the GIANT DOG-X is, of course, the dog walk, and it can be employed by both beginners and experienced anglers. It features the same inertia balancer system, PAT, as the original, allowing the weight in the belly to slide from side to side, resulting in a responsive and smooth swimming action. Its buoyancy posture is around 60 degrees, giving it a gentle and effortless swimming motion rather than an aggressive one, with strong water push.

This lure is particularly effective for imitating baitfish that float near the water's surface, making it a great choice for targeting post-spawn bass that are attentive to surface movements.

3. Targeting Trophy Bass with GIANT DOG-X

The size of the original DOG-X was 90mm, while the GIANT DOG-X measures 98mm, making it significantly larger. However, the name "GIANT" is not simply because of its size but rather because it has been tuned to target larger bass. There are several innovations by Mr. Ito to catch trophy-sized bass.

Firstly, the increase in weight movement generates stronger shockwaves when the weight shifts. By introducing tungsten into the weight, it became heavier, and the shockwave noise became low-frequency, which is preferred by big bass.

Additionally, during the dog-walk action, the flatter body of the GIANT DOG-X tilts and displays the reflective sides underwater, creating a sparkling effect. This unique fluttering action of the GIANT DOG-X appeals to larger bass.

Furthermore, the Hydro Gill PAT.P, which is a cut in the gill section, generates bubbles and splashes during the dog-walk action, enhancing its appeal.

Mr. Ito's meticulous calculations and innovations are incorporated into the GIANT DOG-X to make it particularly enticing to trophy-sized bass, making it a promising lure for big catches.

4. Choosing Between GIANT DOG-X and DOG-X Jr. COAYU

Let's explore the best use cases for GIANT DOG-X in comparison to DOG-X Jr. COAYU, both of which were released in the DOG-X series during the same period.

The size and weight difference between GIANT DOG-X and DOG-X Jr. COAYU is quite evident. GIANT DOG-X utilizes a side-to-side walking action with its large profile for a strong appeal, while DOG-X Jr. COAYU, despite its smaller size, generates a relatively strong water displacement, resulting in a notable appeal. However, considering the size factor, GIANT is likely to have a stronger appeal.

Considering the comparisons made earlier, here are some scenarios where using GIANT DOG-X is recommended:

• When you're aiming to catch larger bass.
• In situations with murky or windy conditions where a strong lure appeal is necessary.
• When you want to match the bait size perspective by going larger.
• When fishing in more extensive fields or open water areas.

When Targeting Trophy Bass: If your goal is to catch larger bass and avoid smaller ones, GIANT DOG-X is the better choice. DOG-X Jr. COAYU might attract even small bass as small as 20cm(7.8in).

In Murky or Windy Conditions Requiring Strong Lure Appeal: In situations where the water is turbid, and strong winds create surface ripples, DOG-X Jr. COAYU may not be as effective due to its smaller size. GIANT DOG-X, with its larger size and prominent side-to-side action, can still attract bass in such conditions.

When You Want to Match Larger Bait Size: If you notice that bass are feeding on relatively larger prey, GIANT DOG-X is a suitable choice to mimic that size.

When Fishing in Wide Open Areas: GIANT DOG-X's larger size and weight allow for longer casting distances. Additionally, its ability to appeal to a wide range of bass makes it suitable for situations where bass are scattered over a larger area.

DOG-X Jr. COAYU [Brand New]

$16.99

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