I got word a few weeks back that El Grande lures were about to launch a new smaller (5 inch) Gila Monster, being a huge fan of the original, I could not pass up the opportunity to get some in my hands asap.. I dont think these bad boys are listed on their website as of yet, but here is a sneak peek for those as impatient as I am.
If you that have fished with the original Gila Monster you will quickly noticed that this new size is dramatically smaller, El Grande not only chopped almost 4" inches off the length, but they also reduced the the baits overall girth.. the new Gila monster seems to have spent the off season at Jenny Craig...
Not that this is a bad thing, as the reduction in size has done nothing to effect the action of the bait and may even improve it for some applications. Like in the Original Gila this little guy is salt free and the tail will float when paused in the water. It also seems to have a bit more whip then it's predecessor and the slender body profile will more easily slide through thick cover and dense slop.
The 5" Gila Monster is the perfect sized bait for Texas rigging, flipping & pitching as well as shaky head fishing. I may even give it a run on my drop shot rod, as I really love the movement of the longer slender body and tail. Owner's Jig Rig hook and weight combo is also new to the market, and I feel they would pair up well with the smaller Gila
The larger Gila will still be a staple in my arsenal and will be used mainly to drag like a tube or Carolina rig. When flipping the larger profile is great in sparser cover, and I will use the 5" version when I really need to slide it through a small hole (which requires less body drag).
Less face it, although a great bait the original Gila is a beast, and many anglers will stay away from baits at the 8" or longer mark. Many Northern bodies of water do not hold the same brutes that can be found down south, and thus the average angler avoids monster baits.. Although I dont agree with this tactic, I do see where they are coming from. The new 5" Gila should reach a larger audience as it falls nicely into a more user friendly size.
Not one to rest on their laurels, El Grande not only changes the bait size during this revamp but they have also come to the table with a whole new selection of colors. The new Gila will be introduced in 5 new colors, including an awesome green pumpkin with purple flake that has quickly become my favorite of the 5. See the full color selection below (listed from left to right)
Watermelon (w/red flake)
Black (w/Blue flake)
Green Pumpkin
Junebug
Green Pumpkin (w/purple flake)
If you are a fan of the original El Grande Gila Monster, do yourself a favor and check out the new 5" version, these baits are extremely versatile and will be a great addition to your arsenal. These babies are not yet available on-line, but keep an eye out on the El Grande Facebook page and Website as more info will be available soon
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