Explore the Savage Gear 4Play 19cm swimbait. Get detailed info on its V2 lip, swimming action, rigging options, and effective retrieval techniques for pike.Savage Gear 4Play 19cm Swim & Jerk Pike Fishing Lure ReviewFor targeting trophy pike and zander, the nineteen-centimeter, four-section hard lure is your primary tool. https://fairspin-pt.net/ , serpentine action on a steady retrieve is particularly deadly in water temperatures between 8 and 15 degrees Celsius. We recommend using the slow-sinking (SS) version for depths of 1.5 to 3 meters. A fluorocarbon leader with a diameter of at least 0.80mm is mandatory to prevent bite-offs and maintain the lure's natural presentation. The optimal setup includes a casting rod with a test up to 100-120 grams and a low-profile baitcasting reel for precise control over retrieval speed.The key to success with this large jointed bait is varying your presentation. Initiate with a slow, monotonous retrieve, then introduce pauses of 2-3 seconds, allowing the lure to glide downwards. A sharp, short twitch of the rod tip will cause the lure to dart erratically to the side, mimicking a wounded baitfish. This technique is especially potent when fishing along weed lines or over submerged structures. Experiment with the V-joint and lip-scull versions; the lipped model offers a more aggressive wobble and dives slightly deeper, making it suitable for windier conditions.Pay close attention to the hardware. The stock trebles are functional, but upgrading to a slightly larger size, like a 1/0 or 2/0 chemically sharpened hook, will significantly improve your hook-up ratio with large predators. Ensure the split rings are robust enough to handle the immense pressure of a fighting pike. The most productive color patterns often mimic local forage: realistic perch, roach, and trout imitations excel in clear water, while brighter, more provocative schemes like Firetiger or Clown work best in murky conditions or during low-light periods at dawn and dusk.Savage Gear 4Play 19cm: A Practical GuideFor consistent results with this large articulated lure, employ a medium-heavy casting rod, 2.1 to 2.4 meters long, with a fast action and a test rating of 40-100 grams. Pair it with a low-profile baitcasting reel in the 200 size range, spooled with 0.25-0.30mm braided line. This setup provides the backbone to manage the lure's weight and the sensitivity to detect subtle takes from wary pike.The most productive retrieve is a steady, slow to medium pace. This allows the lure's four segments to generate a natural, serpentine swimming action that mimics a wounded baitfish. Introduce pauses of two to three seconds every few meters of the retrieve. Large predators often strike this large swimbait during the pause as it slowly sinks or suspends, depending on the specific model's buoyancy (slow sink or low float).To maximize hook-up ratios, replace the standard treble hooks with chemically sharpened, wide-gap alternatives of the same size. A size 1/0 or 2/0 is optimal. Connect the lure to your leader using a durable snap, not a knot, to preserve its full range of motion. A fluorocarbon leader with a diameter of 0.80-1.00mm and a length of at least 50 centimeters is recommended to resist abrasion from pike teeth.Focus on specific locations. Cast the large profile hardbait along drop-offs, submerged weed bed edges, and near underwater structures like fallen trees. In early morning or late evening, work it slowly over shallow flats adjacent to deeper water. The lure’s significant water displacement makes it highly effective in murky conditions where visibility is poor.Choosing the Right Rigging Method for Target SpeciesFor targeting large pike ambushing in weedy shallows, rig the nineteen-centimeter articulated swimbait on a shallow screw with a single, large treble hook attached via a short stinger trace. Position the hook point just behind the second joint of the lure body. This setup minimizes snagging on vegetation while maximizing hook-up ratios on aggressive top-water strikes. A size 1/0 or 2/0 treble hook provides the necessary gape and strength for a solid connection with the pike's bony jaw.To hunt for zander holding close to the bottom in deep channels or reservoirs, use a weighted jig head. A 20-30 gram football-style head is optimal for maintaining bottom contact in depths of 8-15 meters. Thread the large multi-segmented bait onto the hook so the body remains straight, exiting the hook point dorsally before the first joint. This rigging ensures a natural, horizontal presentation during a slow, bottom-bouncing retrieve, which imitates a lethargic or wounded baitfish–a primary trigger for zander.When casting for large perch or black bass around submerged structures like rock piles or fallen trees, a Texas rig offers a snag-resistant presentation. Use a 4/0 or 5/0 wide-gape offset hook. Pierce the nose of the soft swimbait, exit below the chin, and embed the hook point back into the bait's body, making it weedless. A tungsten bullet weight from 7 to 14 grams, unpegged, allows the lure to sink with a seductive wobble, separate from the weight, drawing strikes on the fall.For suspended catfish or small wels in open water, a Carolina rig is superior. Place a 1-ounce egg sinker on your main line, followed by a bead and a swivel. Attach a 60-80 cm fluorocarbon leader (0.50mm) to the swivel, terminating in a 6/0 offset hook. Rig the big jointed bait Texas-style on the hook. This assembly permits the lure to swim freely and naturally above the bottom, well behind the weight, appearing as an easy meal to cruising predators that are located via sonar.Color Selection Based on Water Clarity and Weather ConditionsFor this specific nineteen-centimeter articulated lure, match color to conditions for higher strike rates. Your selection directly influences visibility and how predators perceive the bait.Clear Water Conditions:Bright Sun / High Visibility: Prioritize natural and translucent patterns. Models like Roach, Perch, and Rudd excel here. The semi-transparent body and realistic finish mimic actual forage fish, preventing wary predators from rejecting the lure upon close inspection.Overcast / Low Light: In clear water on cloudy days, a lure with a subtle flash is advantageous. The "Dirty Roach" or "Smelt" patterns, which incorporate silver or holographic foils beneath a natural paint job, create just enough reflection to be noticed without appearing artificial.Stained or Murky Water Conditions:General Murky Water (e.g., Algae Bloom): Solid, high-contrast colors perform best. The "Firetiger" pattern is a primary choice due to its chartreuse, orange, and black bars creating a sharp silhouette. "Golden Ambulance" (black and gold) offers a strong profile against darker, peat-stained water.Heavily Stained / Muddy Water (Low Visibility): When visibility is less than a meter, opt for either extremely dark or extremely bright, solid colors.Dark Patterns: A solid black or dark brown lure, like the "Black Mamba," creates the most defined silhouette for a predator to track from below against a brighter sky.Bright/Fluorescent Patterns: Solid "Lemon Back" (fluorescent yellow) or all-white "Albino" models provide maximum visual stimulus through light reflection and contrast in low-clarity environments. The UV-active components in some fluorescent finishes are particularly potent in deep or very murky water where UV light penetrates better than visible light.Specific Weather-Related Adjustments:Windy Days / Choppy Surface: The broken water surface scatters light. In these situations, a lure with a metallic or holographic finish, such as "Herring," produces erratic flashes that cut through the distorted light and attract attention from a distance, even in relatively clear water.Dawn and Dusk: During these low-light periods, patterns combining dark and light elements work well. The "Pike" color, with its dark green back and lighter belly, offers a natural profile that is still visible as it moves through the water column.Mastering Retrieval Techniques for Different DepthsFor targeting predators in the top 0.5 meters of water, employ a steady, high-speed retrieve immediately after the large articulated bait hits the surface. Maintain your rod tip high, angled at approximately 60-70 degrees, to keep the multi-jointed swimbait just below the surface, creating a prominent V-shaped wake. Introduce sharp, intermittent twitches of the rod tip every 3-4 reel cranks to make the nineteen-centimeter lure dart erratically to the side, simulating a fleeing or injured baitfish. This high-energy presentation is most productive over submerged weed beds or during low-light conditions when predators are actively feeding near the top.To work the mid-depth zone, from 1 to 2.5 meters, begin with a countdown method. After the cast, count down at a rate of roughly one second per 30 centimeters of descent to reach the desired depth. Initiate a slow-rolling retrieve, using a low rod angle (20-30 degrees) to maintain depth. Integrate a "stop-and-go" cadence: retrieve for 5-6 seconds, then pause for 2-3 seconds. The segmented hard bait will suspend and slowly sink on the pause, a key trigger for following fish. Vary the length of the pauses; a longer pause can entice hesitant pike or zander.When fishing deeper than 3 meters, a bottom-oriented approach is required. Allow the large swimbait to sink all the way to the bottom. Use a "lift and fall" technique. Sharply lift the rod tip from a low position to about 45 degrees, which pulls the lure 1-1.5 meters off the bottom. Then, lower the rod while reeling in the slack line, allowing the lure to glide back down. The key is to maintain slight tension on the line during the fall to detect subtle strikes. Repeat this process, methodically covering structure like drop-offs and underwater humps. This mimics a dying fish and is exceptionally productive for lethargic, bottom-hugging specimens.