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Bunker Busters

Bunker Busters

Bunker Busters

When adult menhaden are around, gamefish go wild. But if you want to fool a trophy with an artificial, scale up. Here are our top picks for big bunker imitators that get it done. – By Joe Cermele Debunking: Live-bait fishing not your game? Thanks to innovative lure makers, even large bunker like this one can be copied effectively. Dave Shok/dwshok.com
Bunker Busters

Bunker Busters

Bliz Lures Slammer
The lipless diving Slammer can be trolled or cast around the outside of a menhaden school. If toothy fish show up, don’t worry. The tough finish and sturdy construction of this lure let it take a serious beating. www.blizlures.com
Manfred Koh
Bunker Busters

Bunker Busters

Mann’s Stretch Imitator
Put away the trolling weights because this huge diver can get down 25 feet unassisted. Let out lots of line and pull the Stretch under and around a school of livies. The internal rattles won’t go unnoticed. www.mannsbait.com
Manfred Koh
Bunker Busters

Bunker Busters

Sure strike Chesapeake Edition spoon
The unique swimming action of the heavy Sure Strike bunker spoon makes it a favorite of Chesapeake wire-liners. Drag the spoon on the edge of shipping channels to hook big stripers. www.striperspoons.com
Manfred Koh
Bunker Busters

Bunker Busters

Storm Kickin’ Minnow
Measuring ten inches, the jointed body of the Kickin’ Minnow perfectly matches the swimming action of a large menhaden. We’ve had great success throwing this lure around rips and jetties. www.stormlures.com
Manfred Koh
Bunker Busters

Bunker Busters

Strike Pro Tuna Hunter
While designed with yellowfin tuna in mind, the size of this popper makes it a spot-on bunker match for hunting cow stripers and bruiser bluefish. And you can launch this heavy-hitter a country mile. www.strikeproamerica.com
Manfred Koh
Bunker Busters

Bunker Busters

Salt Water Snax Bunker
A noted player in the wooden musky lure market, plug maker Mike Bromelow recently released this bunker imitator for the salt. At eight inches, the plug swims in a tight “S”¿ formation on the retrieve. www.muskysnax.com
Manfred Koh
Bunker Busters

Bunker Busters

Creek Chub Super Knuckle-Head
The Super Knuckle-Head is a dead ringer for a big, struggling bunker, thanks to the heavy splashes it makes on the surface. On the retrieve, give it a few pops and stop””fish will hit this lure like a freight train. www.lurenet.com
Manfred Koh
Bunker Busters

Bunker Busters

Tattoo’s Diving Swimmer
Although popular among surfcasters, this custom wooden plug dupes plenty of pelagics””like smoker kingfish””when the bunker move offshore. Its erratic swimming action is second to none. www.tattoostackle.com
Manfred Koh
Bunker Busters

Bunker Busters

Tsunami Swim Shad
We dare you to find a Northeast angler without a nine-inch Swim Shad on hand when the bunker are around. This double-hooked lure can be worked at any speed and emits a strong tailbeat. www.biminibayoutfitters.com
Manfred Koh
Bunker Busters

Bunker Busters

Williamson Live Bunker
This oversized soft-bait entices everything from stripers to marlin when trolled. Pull it slowly or speed it up. The bunker tracks straight and true thanks to specially designed pectoral fins. www.williamsonlures.com
Manfred Koh
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