Vertical Lures' Chunk X and Chunk X Sling

Description: Just when you thought you had seen everything, along comes a truly innovative new product. Vertical Lures has developed a totally new and improved jig trailer and method of attachment, in the jig trailer category. This new jig trailer "chunk" as most bass fishermen refer to these baits, comes to us with a totally re-designed attachment point, and the "Chunk X Sling" is a new innovation all together.

Review: Bass jigs work very well for Largemouth Bass on the majority of most lakes across the country due to similar shape, size, and motion of the crawfish it imitates.

This review's purpose is to ascertain the difference in common jig trailers currently on the market and available, and this new innovation from Vertical Lure Company, how the bass responded during the testing phase to the new product in the colors provided.

When testing the new versions, colors were pre-selected by the manufacturer and submitted for testing to Millwood Lake Guide Service in southwest Arkansas.

The colors submitted for the purpose of this review were Black/Blue, Contusion, Green Pumpkin, Blue Sapphire, Bayou Craw and Pearl White. These new 2-1/2" length jig trailers were attached via a brand new innovation, to the business end of one of our favorite Bass Jigs, which has been out of manufacture for quite some time, the All Terrain Lure Company Jig from Sam Rayburn, Texas, since no particular jig was submitted for the purpose of this evaluation. We matched the green pumpkin and bayou craw colored trailers w/ Texas Craw jig skirt color, perfect. We matched the black/blue and contusion and blue sapphire colored trailers w/ black/blue/purple jig skirt colors also complimented the jig color. Of course we matched the pearl white trailer color on a white jig skirt, and dipped 3-4mm of the tips of the white trailer claws in chartreuse dipping dye for an excellent match.

These jig trailers, or "Chunk X" as they are called, are attached to the business end of your favorite jig, with the company's "Chunk X Sling" which is a totally new and innovative product. The "Chunk X Sling" is your answer to constantly adjusting your jig trailer's attachment to the back of your bass jig. Three holes are preset by the manufacture. The smallest of the three holes in this jig sling is where you run the shank of the jig hook through, and up behind the jig's skirt material. The next larger size hole of the jig sling will hold your favorite jig rattle underneath the jig, and the largest of the holes is what you stretch over the jig trailer to bind the trailer to the jig. Additional information on this jig trailer and sling can be obtained from Vertical Lure Company's, website, http://www.VerticalLures.com or see configurations below for hook-up methods.


The above configurations demonstrate how the Chunk X is attached to any basic bass jig via the Chunk X Sling apparatus.

The action of this new jig trailer was excellent, and the imitation craw's claws were constantly fluttering in the water as if they were waving "come and get me". The results of the attachment to the jig of this trailer were well beyond expectations from any preconceived notion we may have had. The jig trailer, or "Chunk X" never once required any adjustment during a normal day of fishing it, except to replace it after normal wear of fighting and catching Largemouth Bass. The durability of this jig trailer was at parity with other similar soft plastic jig trailers, i.e., normal wear and tearing is a "part of the package" in fishing with soft plastics. However, worth noting, it was no worse for wear than any of the other soft plastic jig trailers we have used in the past. One feature we rated above the characteristics of similar jig trailers was the molded soft plastic, thicker bite angle on the connection in the trailer-to-jig hooking area. This provided a much more substantial "bite" by the jig's hook, and a much better retaining trailer, requiring no adjustment. This new bait's "crawfish claws" have great detail in design that do offer somewhat better "fluttering" action on the fall than what we had been using prior to the test. The colors tested all performed flawlessly and extremely well. Each color produced well, and blended in perfect concert with any skirt color we chose to pair it up with. This test was conducted over a 60-day test period with conditions ranging from high bluebird skies to cloudy, overcast, and rain. Water temperatures recorded ranged from the upper 60ºs to upper 80ºs, over the 60-day trial.

The following chart details the test criteria and score of the "Chunk X" Trailer on a scale of 1 being the lowest, 2.5 being average, & 5 being the best:

The following chart details the test criteria and score of the "Chunk X Sling" on a scale of 1 being the lowest, 2.5 being average, & 5 being the best:

The Breakdown:

The Bass responded well to our jig using the "Chunk X" jig trailer on our home lake under a variety of ambient conditions. As we use Bass jigs year round, in a wide variety of conditions, the test samples really were a fresh breeze, so to speak. It's rare that a new product comes along that does not imitate something else already on the market, as in a copycat. The "Chunk X" truly is innovative with the triangulated "contact patch" design of the plastic "neck" area where it contacts the jig hook. The claws or appendages appear natural and real, and fluttered on the fall convincingly as a crawfish fleeing in an escape posture. The "Chunk X Sling" is completely innovative, and unlike anything we have used prior.

"Chunk X" Innovation: Very innovative, the new design of the neck area makes a great "contact patch" with the jig's hook shank. The colors submitted for the purpose of these tests were very similar to other similar jig trailer colors currently available. We would prefer to see a "new" array of colors available to really take advantage of this unique design of this trailer, as well as an optional larger size become available.

"Chunk X" Strength: Durable, and at parity with most other jig trailers on the market.

"Chunk X Sling" Innovation: Best of the best. Although we use bass jigs and trailers year round, and under a variety of conditions, with rattle attachments, this is the new innovation of the year for Bass jig fishermen. This component was also top of the list on versatility, design, and adaptability, as it fit a wide variety of jigs that we placed it on.

"Chunk X Sling" Strength: Again, top notch design. We did not have a failure of this component, even over 2 months of extensive testing.

Overall- both components: Vertical Lures' "Chunk X" and "Chunk X Sling" gets high marks. This 2-1/2" jig trailer is available in several standard colors, to match most any jig skirt. We hope to see a new lineup of colors and a larger size become available to really set this jig trailer apart from the rest of this highly competitive field. The "Sling" is truly a new product that is extremely versatile and adaptive to any bass jig you choose. It will secure the jig trailer to the shank of the jig hook without exception, and holds it in place for hours with no adjustment necessary until it's time to change the trailer out completely. We like the option of applying jig rattles or not, and this "Sling" gives you that option without having to have another apparatus attached to the jig separately.