Norman Lures "Combine"

4.0 out of 5!

    New for the year 2007 is Norman Lures "Combine". Although strange looking, it really pays off with its unique abilities.

    As you can see from the photos, you'll understand why it's called combine. Mixed with a crankbait and a jig, the combine lure is an interesting masterpiece. You might think it would stop there but it doesn't. This bait also has a unique tuning device called the ballast weight to tune your bait to your preference and to adjust with different fishing locations. The combine is a sinking lure and dives deeper with a steady retrieve, but can also be used just like a jig. If you want your bait to swim to the left or to the right you simply bend the ballast weight to the left or the right. When you bend the weight to the front, it will produce and wide wiggle and bend it back to get a tight wiggle. Many goodies can also be added like different skirts, rattles and soft plastics.

    A positive to the bait is the durability. HTB Staff members made over 1100 casts with one bait and it performed just as well as the first cast. The only difference was we had the bait doing different movements thanks to the handy ballast weight. Only minor negatives were found. The first was a couple of the baits were stuck to the packaging as if it was packaged still wet. After a few cast we were able to remove the excess on the lure.
    Secondly, the paint on the wire from the ballast weight to the main body of the lure cracked and broke away just after a few adjustments as shown to the left. Did we see a difference? No. Our main concern however was would it crack the rest of the paint off the body or ballast weight but after over 1100 cast, it still remained strong with no more paint flaking off.

     Now it wouldn't make sense for us just to test it, so like usual we went to the local lake to have anglers like yourself test the bait out. (You might see us next!) The bait was rated on cost, fishability, colors, action and durability. Here are how the numbers checked out after our testers used the bait anywhere between 4-8 hours.

    We were able to find the lure at stores and online anywhere from 5 - 7 dollars per lure. As a result, it was an average rating. Fishability as we explained to the anglers would include its ease of use. One angler explained, "I love the fact that I can change its action and movement so I can fish with it in multiple locations like shallow and deep." The colors shown to the left is not what the combine lure is limited to. They have many more colors to include our favorite, a full red from head to toe. Action also scored high because of the fact you are in control. Lastly, durability turned out great especially after our many cast with the paint still holding on after bumping, falling and nicking on debris below.

Our Conclusion is that Norman Lures "Combine" is a great multi-use lure. Our testers seemed to agree as well. The next time you are out and about and see one of these for sale, be sure to pick one up. We give it a thumbs up!