Arsenal Lures | AR Minnow

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Lure Overview
AR MINNOW is a specialized, hand-crafted wooden fishing lure primarily used for targeting striped bass (Morone saxatilis). Build in New Jersey, made for New Jersey waters, including, MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, DELAWARE,MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, NORTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA AND FLORIDA even WEST COAST. The AR MINNOW is Known for its distinctive construction and realistic swimming action, this lure has been a staple in saltwater fishing for years. Designed to mimic the juvenal bunker (Atlantic menhaden)—a favorite prey for striped bass—the Metal Lip is built to replicate the distressed behavior of a dying or injured baitfish, making it especially effective in attracting large, predatory species.

Primary Target:
Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) – This lure is primarily designed for striped bass fishing, particularly in coastal areas of New Jersey where striped bass feed on schools of bunker or other forage fish.

Secondary Targets:
Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) – Often found in the same waters as striped bass, bluefish are attracted to the same distressed baitfish movements.
Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) – Another species that feeds on injured or distressed baitfish.
Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus) – Found in similar habitats, redfish can also be lured by the Metal Lip’s lifelike swimming action.
Other Predatory Fish – Including snook, sharks so on if they are present in the same fishing grounds.

Body Construction:

• Material: Typically made from high-quality wood such as cedar or pine, the body of the Metal Lip lure is carefully turned. These materials are known for their lightweight yet sturdy construction, allowing the lure to float or swim with precision.
• Shape: The design mimics the profile of a juvenile or adult bunker or other larger baitfish species.

Lip Design:

• Material: The metal lip is made from stainless steel, chosen for its strength, corrosion resistance, and ability to provide the desired depth control.
• Shape & Function: The lip is attached at the front of the lure, and its angle and size directly influence the depth and swimming action of the lure. The lip causes the lure to dive, wobble, and create a wake, simulating an injured or panicked baitfish trying to escape. The lip is crucial in controlling the depth of the lure and adjusting the swimming pattern.

Swimming Action:

• Surface Action: When retrieved at a slow pace, the Metal Lip creates a wake with a characteristic tail-slapping action on the water’s surface. This action mimics the splashing of an injured baitfish, making it highly attractive to predatory fish, particularly in calm water conditions.
• Subsurface Action: By altering retrieval speed or rod position, the Metal Lip can be tuned to swim just beneath the surface or at varying depths. This flexibility makes it effective in different water conditions and at different times of day.
• Diving Models: Some Metal Lip lures are specifically designed to dive deeper, with a more pronounced wobble, targeting fish that are feeding further from the surface. These lures are often retrieved moderate speeds or at different angles to achieve the desired depth.

Size & Weight:

• Length: Metal Lip lures generally have a wide variety of sizes, though smaller and larger sizes are available. The size of the lure mimics the typical size of a bunker or similar baitfish, which is a primary food source for striped bass.
• Weight: Typically weighing between 2 to 4 ounces, the lure provides sufficient weight for good-distance casting and helps achieve the desired depth and action. The weight also ensures the lure's stability and effectiveness in creating a lifelike swimming action.

Color Patterns:

• Natural Bunker Colors: Common color schemes include combinations of silver, blue, black, yellow, white, and green, designed to resemble the bunker's coloration, with a reflective finish to enhance visibility in clear water.
• Custom Colors: Some models come in more specialized colors to mimic different baitfish species or environmental conditions (e.g., darker colors for cloudy dark nights (New Moon) or bright patterns for bright nights fishing (Full Moon)

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AR MINNOW Specifications

• Body Material: Wood (cedar or pine)
• Lip Material: Stainless steel
• Length: 6 1/4 inches
• Weight: 2 ounces
• Colors: Arsenal Lures custom patterns
• Eye Tie and Lip Angle: Adjustable for different swimming depths (varies by model)
• Buoyancy: Floats or suspends just beneath the surface when retrieved slowly
• Hardware: True thru stainless steel wire, hooks VMC 2/0, or your option.

Optimal Water Conditions:

• Calm Water: The Metal Lip excels in flat calm conditions, where the subtle wake and tail slap can effectively mimic an injured baitfish without being overpowered by waves or surface disturbances.
• Light Chop: Slightly choppy water allows for more flexibility, as the lure can be tuned to swim just below the surface or deeper, depending on how the angler retrieves it.
• Clear Water: The Metal Lip performs best in clear water where fish can see the lure’s action and its colors, particularly during daylight hours.
• Night Fishing: During dawn and dusk hours or on overcast days, the Metal Lip’s surface action can draw attention from predatory fish, as their feeding activity is often higher during low-light conditions.

Weather Conditions:

• Low Winds: On days with low to moderate winds, the Metal Lip’s surface action is most effective, as it can create a realistic wake without interference from strong wind-driven waves.
• Moderate Temperature Ranges: The best temperature for striped bass fishing typically falls between 50-70°F (10-21°C). The Metal Lip can be used in colder water as well but is most effective when the target species are active and feeding.

Tidal & Time of Day:

• Tide: The Metal Lip is often used during moving tides when striped bass are actively hunting baitfish along shorelines, estuaries, or inlets.
• Time of Day: Best used at dawn, dusk, or night, as striped bass are more likely to be feeding near the surface during these times. However, it can also work well during midday in deeper or murkier water when fish are feeding lower in the water column.

Retrieval Techniques:

• Slow Retrieval (Surface): The most common technique involves a steady, slow retrieve with the rod tip held high to keep the lure near the surface, allowing the tail-slap action to attract fish. The slow pace helps generate a visible wake and lifelike splashing effect.
• Moderate Retrieval (Deeper Action): To make the Metal Lip dive deeper, increase the speed of the retrieve or lower the rod tip. This will cause the lure to dive and wobble, reaching predatory fish that are holding deeper in the water column.
• Tuning Depth: Vary the retrieve speed and rod angle to adjust the swimming depth. When surface action slows or water conditions change, angling the rod to a lower position and retrieving faster can help the lure swim just under the surface, mimicking a baitfish struggling just beneath the water.

Casting and Coverage:

• Casts: The Metal Lip, compared to other lures with a weight transfer for casting distance, has a pretty good casting ability. It is ideal for covering a decent area where schools of striped bass or other predatory fish might be hunting.
• Covering Structure: Cast around structures like rocks, jetties, drop-offs, or sandbars, which are commonly frequented by striped bass. The Metal Lip can be worked along these areas to draw strikes from fish lying in ambush.

Night Fishing:
The surface action of the Metal Lip can be especially effective at night or in low-light conditions, when striped bass are more likely to be hunting along the surface. A slow retrieve mimicking the natural action of a bunker can provoke strikes even better in darkness.

Conclusion
The Metal Lip is a versatile and highly effective lure, prized for its ability to replicate the movements of an injured baitfish, particularly a bunker, which is a primary food source for striped bass. With its detailed design, adjustable depth options, and realistic swimming action, the Metal Lip excels in calm water, light chop, and low-light conditions. Whether fished on the surface with a slow retrieve or tuned for deeper presentations, the Metal Lip is a deadly weapon in the arsenal of anglers targeting striped bass and other predatory species.