Strike King's XD series of crankbaits, specifically the 6XD and 10XD models have a healthy following among tournament pros, even those that aren't sponsored by Strike King, for their ability to perform and catch fish consistently. Looking at the XD line, Mark details how the design of the 6XD and 10XD helps them plunge to the strike zone quickly and stay there. Using the right equipment is a big part of that, he says, explaining how light line and the right rod can make all the difference in performance. When it comes to color, it's hard to go wrong with the original Sexy Shad, Mark says, and a Chartreuse Sexy Shad works well in stained water.
With such an extensive product base, what are Strike King's best sellers? Mark says it may be surprising, but it's probably a tie between their Mini-King Spinnerbait and either a squarebill or lipless crankbait. It's important to remember that there are probably more people that fish from the bank than from from a boat, Mark says. And with that in mind, there are certainly way more people in the category of novice to intermediate level anglers, rather than pro. These people want to fish with baits that are easy to throw and with baits that catch fish consistently. A small spinnerbait works great when fishing from the bank and fishing in farm ponds. The squarebill, Mark says, is easy to use and one that you can pretty much just throw without issue. The same thing holds true for the lipless, the difference being that there is no bill to make it dive, instead it relies on weight to carry it down so the slower you reel the deeper it will go. Mark also talks soft plastics and the Rage Tail line that delivers serious action. Mark explains what sets the Rage Tail line apart from other soft plastics and the variety within the line. Fish them Texas rigged, Carolina rigged or as a jig trailer, there are so many ways to use those baits, Mark says, they are very versatile.
Strike King has a roster of heavy hitting pro staffers like Kevin VanDam, Denny Brauer, Mark Davis, Shaw Grigsby, Greg Hackney, and more. These guys are experts, Mark says, pointing to the accomplishments and titles the anglers have accumulated. While most people are familiar with KVD based on his tremendous success, Mark says it's also important to talk about the degree between winning, losing and where anglers ultimately finish in these tournaments. Sometimes it's just ounces that separate 1st and 15th places, Mark says. All of these guys are really good and that's why they are out there competing. It also makes them great sources of information to everyday anglers that want to be able to duplicate the kind of success these pros find on the water on a regular basis. "Strike King's Fish Hard" on Sportsman Channel, Sundays at 10:00 a.m. ET features professional tournament anglers that teach viewers different skills, while using Strike King products, that help them become more efficient and successful anglers. It's one thing to see Strike King products in the store, it's another thing to be able to see them in action and understand how to fish them to their fullest potential. Mark says at Strike King their goal is to educate, inform and entertain and the show allows them to make some of the best anglers in the world more accessible to viewers. Viewers can watch and learn just like he has done over the years while filming and producing shows.
Listen in as Mark Copley from Strike King joins The Revolution to talk crankbaits, popular product choices for average anglers and learning from the pros. Be sure to watch "Strike King's Fish Hard" on Sportsman Channel, Sundays at 10:00 a.m. ET
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