Jackall is a company I've heard a lot about. Their products have created a lot of buzz in recent years, so when the Jackall Bling 55 arrived, I tied it on immediately and went fishing. I'm a big fan of crankbaits – among the most effective tools to cover a variety of water depths, they can dial you in to the pulse of the fish faster than just about any other lure.
Right away I noticed the Bling 55 is not only small, but very flat, which I liked. The square bill is made from fiberglass. It’s solid and grabs water fast, deflects off objects well and emits a strong side-to-side wobbling action.
Although this lure could obviously be a cold-water contender, it excelled in warmer water with no problem. The hard bill deflected well and the hook-eye placement on the bottom of the lure keeps the small bait from hook tangles. The internal weight-moving system allows you to throw this diminutive lure like a bullet on baitcasting or spinning equipment.
The wobble is so tight that the reflection off this lure in even slightly stained water is fantastic and that’s a plus. I want a lure that can come through cover and look natural, but also displace water and reflect when needed in off-colored water. The Bling 55 easily did all of that, which is a lot to expect from a small package.
The Bling 55 is 2.2 inches in length, weighs 3/8 of an ounce and dives to 4 feet. I fished it on a 6 1/2-foot medium-action spinning rod with 10-pound FireLine Crystal and got an extra foot or so out of it. It's very good lure in heavy cover with 12- to 15-pound monofilament, but I can see it being deadly for smallmouth bass on a spinning reel, cast at a far distance to wary fish in open and clear water.
I also like the oval split-ring instead of the standard circle. The standard O-ring can easily ingest your knot, which in turn can weaken that knot or aid in losing a fish and your lure. The oval ring is a superior choice.
The Bling 55 is offered in six color choices and retails for $14.99. Overall, it's a very well designed and effective lure.
To visit Jackall's website, click here.
