Sebile Action First Star Shiner

Sebile Action First Star Shiner

It’s no secret that one of the best baits you can throw at lethargic bass in chilly water is a suspending jerkbait. Just in time for this year’s prespawn brawl, here is a new twist on the darting, diving minnow imitator that’s sure to put a twinkle in the bass’ eye without putting a big dent in your tackle budget. It’s called the Sebile Action First Star Shiner.

When renowned lure maker Patrick Sebile crafted the Star Shiner he incorporated several cool design features aimed at optimizing the action and promoting true tracking no matter how radical the retrieve. He also built it to be a tough guy – one that can take beating after beating from hard-hitting fish without compromising its structural integrity.

External Weights

The anchor of the design is a unique external weighting system created using rectangular-shaped zinc weights. The 4 1/4-inch version I reviewed has two external weights, and a smaller 3 1/2-inch version has one external weight.

Tandem Weighting System

The belly weights are embedded so they fit flush with the body cavity and work in tandem with a mass-transfer ball/rattle implanted toward the tail section to promote superior balance and enhanced castability.

Mustad Hooks

The 4 1/4-inch model I checked out comes with three Mustad treble hooks – two on the belly and one at the tail. The belly hangers are actually cemented into the external weights to create super-stout anchor points that’ll withstand all the abuse a big bass can dish out without worry of the hangers pulling free. The smaller 3 1/2-inch model features the same hanger design, only with one belly hook.

Minnow-Shaped Body

Sebile designed an elongated body with a cupped mouth, raised gill plates, 3-D eyes with a holographic backing and high-quality stainless hardware.

Double Depths

Whether you are targeting shallow or mid-range depths, the Star Shiner has got you covered. Both sizes are available in shallow-diving and medium-diving models that can be fished as shallow 2 to 5 feet or as deep as 8 to 10 feet, respectively.  

Performance Review

• Castability – The 1/2-ounce, 4 1/4-inch lure cast beautifully, even when launched into a big wind.
• Balance – Balance was flawless. The lure maintained a tight, side-to-side action with a stop-and-go retrieve and darted wildly with a more radical twitching retrieve, all the while maintaining a horizontal posture in the water column.
• Real-World Depth – I was able get the model I reviewed down to about 3 to 4 feet on 15-pound-test fluorocarbon line.
• Best Uses – Fish it fast or slow, depending on whether you want a power-fishing or finesse-fishing presentation. It’s killer around submerged grass, brush, stumps or bushes in the shallow to mid-depth ranges.

Specs

Length: 4 1/4 inches

Weight: 1/2 ounce

Hooks: three Mustad black nickel trebles

Colors: 10

MSRP: $7.95

Contact: sebile.com