Overview

The Stickbait Changer is Flymen Fishing Company's fly-rod jerkbait, built on the Game Changer style of articulated fly created by Blane Chocklett. It is a five-part articulated fly with a single arrow-shaped front body and no eyes, a shape that cuts drag so the fly darts and glides instead of plowing through the water.

Buried in the body is a rattle. It adds sound that draws fish from a distance, and its weight lets the fly suspend and sink slowly on the pause. Worked with sharp strips, the Stickbait swims with erratic side-to-side darts, pauses and long, smooth glides, the same action that makes jerkbaits and stickbaits so effective on conventional tackle. Bass, pike, musky, striped bass and redfish all eat it.

How to Fish It

• Jerk, slack, pause: give it short, quick strips with a downward rod snap, then throw a little slack. The slack lets it dart and glide side to side.
• Let it hang: pause between strips. The rattle's weight lets it suspend and sink slowly, which is when following fish often eat.
• Line choice: a floating or intermediate line for shallow and mid-depth fish, a sinking line to work it deep.
• Where to fish it: points, weed edges, rip lines and flats where predators chase baitfish.
• Leader: a short, heavy leader of 20 lb or more turns it over. Add a wire or heavy bite tippet for pike and musky.

Choosing Color and Size

Size by the bait and the fish. 2/0 is about 4 inches, a good size for bass and smaller predators. 3/0 is about 5 inches and covers most bass, striper and redfish fishing. 4/0 is about 6 inches for big baitfish, pike and musky.

White is the go-to baitfish color in most water. Blue & White imitates herring, shad and other dark-backed baitfish, especially in the salt. Grey & Yellow gives a natural back with a bright belly that stands out in stained water.