It was early October on Lake Texoma, right at sunrise when the mist still clung to the water like a wet blanket. I’d been on that lake more times than I could count, chasing bass and striper for 20 years. That morning, the air was crisp enough to make your nose tingle, and the water temp hovered at 62°F. The sky was a soft mix of pink and gray, promising a day that might not be scorching but would hold its own challenges. I’d been tossing my usual crankbait for an hour, and the most action I’d gotten was a single tap that might have been a bluegill testing the waters. Frustration was starting to creep in—you know that feeling, right? When you’re convinced the fish are just laughing at you from the depths.
Then my buddy, Jake, who’d been fishing from the other side of the boat, yelled over. “Hey, try this.” He tossed me a small, silver-and-blue lure I’d never seen before. It had a slim, pencil-like body that looked almost delicate, with a tiny treble hook at the end. “It’s a Hard Baits Penceil Vib. Just give it a twitch-twitch-pause retrieve. Trust me.” I didn’t have much to lose, so I tied it on and cast out near a stand of submerged cedar trees that I knew usually held bass. On the third twitch, something hit it so hard the rod nearly flew out of my hand. I set the hook, and the line started screaming off the reel. After a five-minute battle, I hauled in a 5-pound largemouth that was so fat it looked like it had been eating nothing but crawfish all summer. That day, I caught three more bass just as big, all on that same Penceil Vib. Jake just grinned and said, “Told you.”
What Makes the Penceil Vib Lure Different?
At first glance, the Penceil Vib looks like a simple lure. It’s long and slender, with a smooth, streamlined shape that cuts through the water with ease. But what sets it apart from other Freshwater Systems lures is its unique vibration. When you twitch it, it sends out a high-frequency vibe that travels through the water for feet. Fish can feel that vibration long before they see the lure, which is a game-changer when the water is murky or the light is low. I’ve used it in lakes like Lake Michigan where the water is often stained, and it still gets hits. The vibration also mimics the natural movement of a wounded baitfish, which triggers that instinctive strike response in predators.
Another thing I love about the Penceil Vib is its versatility. I’ve used it in shallow water near shore, casting it around docks and fallen trees, and I’ve also trolled it in deeper water when the fish are schooling near the thermocline. It works equally well in warm water (up to 80°F) and cooler water (down to 55°F). The treble hook is sharp and strong, so even if a fish hits it hard, you don’t have to worry about it bending or breaking. And the finish is durable too—after dozens of casts against rocks and trees, it still looks brand new.
Fishing the Penceil Vib in Clear Water
I remember one afternoon on Lake Okeechobee when the water temp was 78°F. The sun was high, and the fish were holding in the shadows of the grass beds. I’d been tossing a topwater lure with no luck, so I switched to the natural-colored Penceil Vib. On the first cast, I let it sink for a count of three, then twitched it twice. As soon as I paused, the line went tight. I set the hook and reeled in a 4.5-pound bass that had a belly full of shad. That day, I caught two more bass in the same spot, all on the Penceil Vib. The natural color and slow retrieve were the perfect combination for those clear water conditions.
Using the Penceil Vib in Stained or Muddy Water
When the water is stained or muddy, visibility is low, so you need a lure that can be felt as much as seen. The Penceil Vib’s high-frequency vibration is ideal here. On the Mississippi River, where the water is often brown and murky, I use the bright chartreuse-colored Penceil Vib. The vibration travels through the murk, and the bright color gives the fish something to home in on. I’ll cast it out near a wing dam or a deep hole, let it sink for a few seconds, then twitch it three times, pause for two seconds, and repeat. The fast twitches make the vibration stronger, which helps the fish locate the lure.
One time on the Mississippi River, the water was so muddy you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. The water temp was 65°F, and the wind was blowing hard, causing the waves to chop up the surface. I’d been fishing with a spinnerbait with no luck, so I switched to the chartreuse Penceil Vib. On the second cast, I felt a heavy tap, and when I set the hook, the line started screaming. After a ten-minute battle, I hauled in a 7-pound walleye that was a beautiful golden color. The vibration of the Penceil Vib had cut through the murk, and the bright color had guided the walleye to the lure. That was one of the biggest walleye I’d ever caught, and it’s a memory I’ll never forget.
Tips for Fishing the Penceil Vib in Different Seasons
The Penceil Vib works well in all four seasons, but there are a few tips I’ve learned over the years to make it even more effective. In spring, when the fish are spawning, I use the red-colored Penceil Vib. The red mimics the color of a crawfish, which is a favorite food of bass during the spawning season. I’ll cast it near the shallow spawning beds, twitch it gently, and let it rest on the bottom. The bass will often strike out of territorial instinct, protecting their nests from what they see as an intruder.
In summer, when the water is warm and the fish are deep, I troll the Penceil Vib at a slow speed. I’ll attach it to a long line and let it sink to the thermocline, where the fish are holding to escape the heat. The vibration of the lure will attract the schooling fish, and you can catch several in a row. In fall, when the water starts to cool down, I switch back to the silver-and-blue color, which mimics the shad that are migrating towards the shore. And in winter, when the fish are slow and lethargic, I use a very slow retrieve—twitch once, pause for five seconds, then twitch again. The vibration is still strong enough to get their attention, but the slow retrieve doesn’t scare them off.
Failures and Lessons Learned
Another time, I was fishing on the Colorado River, and I’d been catching bass near a series of rapids. I was using the silver-and-blue Penceil Vib, and the fish were hitting it hard. Then, I cast it too close to a rock, and the lure got stuck. I tried to yank it free, but the line broke. I lost the lure, and I was pretty upset. But looking back, it was a reminder to always be careful when casting near obstacles. Now, I make sure to cast a few feet away from rocks and trees, and if I do get stuck, I try to gently work the lure free instead of yanking on it.
The Importance of Paying Attention to Weather and Time of Day
The weather and time of day can have a big impact on how effective the Penceil Vib is. On overcast days, the fish are more likely to be near the surface, so I use a slower retrieve with more pauses. The clouds block the sunlight, making the water darker, and the vibration of the lure is even more important. On sunny days, the fish tend to be in deeper water or in the shadows, so I use a faster retrieve to cover more ground and find where they’re hiding.
Early morning and late afternoon are usually the best times to fish with the Penceil Vib. During these times, the light is low, and the fish are more active. I’ve had my best success right at sunrise, when the mist is still on the water and the fish are just starting to feed. I remember one morning on Lake Powell when I cast the Penceil Vib out at 6:30 a.m., and within five minutes, I’d caught three bass. The water temp was 64°F, and the sun was just starting to peek over the canyon walls. It was a moment of pure fishing bliss.
Tips for Maintaining Your Penceil Vib
To keep your Penceil Vib in good condition, there are a few things you should do. After each fishing trip, rinse it off with freshwater to remove any salt or debris. Dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth to prevent rusting. Check the treble hook for any bends or dull spots—if it’s bent, you can straighten it with a pair of pliers, and if it’s dull, you can sharpen it with a hook sharpener. You should also check the split ring that connects the hook to the lure. If it’s bent or broken, replace it immediately. A damaged split ring can cause the hook to fall off, which will cost you a fish.
I also like to store my Penceil Vibs in a tackle box with dividers to prevent them from getting scratched or tangled. I keep them away from other lures with sharp hooks, which can damage the finish. And I always make sure to tie a good knot when I attach the lure to my line—if the knot is weak, the lure can come off during a cast or when a fish hits it.
Let me tell you, if you’re looking for a lure that’s versatile, effective, and durable, the Penceil Vib is it. I’ve used it on lakes, rivers, and reservoirs all over the US, and it’s never let me down. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned fisherman, the Penceil Vib is easy to use and will help you catch more fish.
Here’s a small actionable tip for you: next time you go fishing, try using the Penceil Vib with a slow twitch-twitch-pause retrieve. Pay attention to the water temp and the time of day, and adjust your technique accordingly. You might be surprised at how many fish you catch.
