Yo-Zuri SS Minnow
By: Michael Uleski 

            There are a few lures that when I throw them I expect to catch a fish on every cast. The Yo-Zuri SS minnow is one lure that I have full confidence in. This lure was introduced over a year ago by Yo-Zuri to fill the needs of a floating crankbait that could be worked in extremely shallow water that many coastal fishermen spend time in. So to answer that call they designed the SS minnow, SS standing for “super shallow”. Cranking at a relatively fast retrieve will get this lure 2-4 inches below the surface. It has internal rattles for sound and an extra wide wobble. The finish is holographic and gives off a lot of flash. The lure comes in two sizes: a 2 ¾” version that weighs in at 1/4oz., and a larger sibling that goes 3 ½” long and 3/8oz. They come in 7 colors ranging from the classic red head/white body, to a brighter fire tiger for dirty water.

I started fishing these plugs when we first got them into the shop. It was a chilly winter day last November and I was on the north end of Mosquito Lagoon with a client. The water was very low so I had to find some water that was deeper than some of my usual haunts. With the low water came very good water visibility, basically gin clear. I could see fish holding in the brighter sand holes but we could not get any interested in the usual fair of gold spoons and DOA shrimp. So on a whim I tied on a small, clown colored SS minnow and gave it to my client. First cast brought a good strike and a mid-slot trout. Second cast produced a red, third cast, another trout, and so on. This was the day I fell in love with the little minnow lure.

            This lure was designed to run shallow, and that is what it does best. Even in the lowest water levels in the lagoon where redfish have their backs out of the water I’ve been able to work this lure and be effective. I’ve also used the same lure in water 4 foot deep and it has produced.

            Since then I’ve fished this lure in many waters along the eastern coast and it has produced in many different situations. Redfish, trout and snook attack it with wild abandon, and it also attracts other species such as ladyfish, big pinfish, and even hardhead catfish. I’ve heard reports from other fishermen in many areas of the state that have started using this lure since reading some of my trip reports. They have had much of the same success that I have.

            There is one downside to this plug, one that seems to be common with some of the Yo-Zuri lures, the hooks are just not adequate for some saltwater species, namely redfish. The smaller size has a much lighter hook than required for the size of redfish and snook that like to dine on it. I definitely recommend changing out the hooks on the smaller size as soon as the plug is out of the package to save a lot of frustration. The larger size has much more substantial hooks and has not been a problem.

            This lure can be fished in many ways, ranging from topwater twitch bait, to being cranked at full speed. It can be quite an exciting strike to see a redfish come up and chase this lure when it’s only 2-3” under the surface.

            Many have found this lure to be a deadly way to catch many saltwater species all around the state. It’s definitely a lure that deserves a spot in the tackle box. More information can be found at:

http://www.yo-zuri.com/store.html?p=133