Overview

The Minnow Changer Weighted is the weighted version of the Minnow Changer, a Blane Chocklett design built by Flymen on a series of articulated shanks that let the body flex at every joint. Chocklett is the tyer behind the Game Changer.

Like the standard Minnow Changer, it swims with a side-to-side wiggle when you strip it and turns and hangs like an injured baitfish when you stop, and its synthetic materials shed water for easier casting. The added weight helps it get down to fish holding deeper in runs, pools and along drop-offs without relying only on a sinking line. It imitates the minnows, shad, shiners and juvenile trout that predators key on, and it works on trout, bass, pike and inshore saltwater species.

How to Fish It

• Strip and pause: make it swim with a few strips, then stop. The pause is when most following fish commit.
• Let it sink: give it a count after the cast to reach the depth where fish are holding before you start the retrieve.
• Vary the cadence: short, sharp strips give a darting escape; long, slow pulls give a lazy swim.
• Line choice: a floating or intermediate line in moderate depths, a sink-tip for deep runs and lakes.
• Target structure: work it past boulders, weed edges, drop-offs and tail-outs where baitfish gather.

Choosing Color and Size

Size 2 is the all-around choice for trout and bass, and 2/0 is built for big trout, pike and other large predators.

Shad and Tan & Olive are natural baitfish colors for clear water. Purple & Black gives a strong silhouette in low light and stained water.