By Lou Hubert
As the Shasta Tackle line-up is now part of Mack’s Lure, I was able to continue as a pro-staffer, now with the full arsenal of the Mack’s Lure assortment as well as the shared knowledge and friendships. But with all that available and given the vast color selection of the Wiggle Hoochie bait, I will always go to the White Wiggle Hoochie as my first choice. Perfect action, coupled with a great bait imitator. I have had the opportunity to fish Nevada’s Pyramid Lake with Mark Christopher, a fellow pro-staffer, and Odell Lake in Central Oregon with a friend, Monte Penlandas, as well as Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Wyoming with Bob Loomis and other Mack’s Lure staff. At these diverse lakes, as well as any other lakes, my first lure again was and is the White Wiggle Hoochie.
In what I would call a validating or confirming example of the use of a White Wiggle Hoochie. I was one day trolling on McCloud Reservoir in Northern California using another Mack’s Lure product, a Humdinger, when I snagged some broken/cut-off lead core line. Pulling it free, on the end of the line was a White Wiggle Hoochie along with a 2-pound brown trout.
The key to fishing the Wiggle Hoochie is twofold: speed control and knowing the depth of your targeted species. While some anglers may have success at higher speeds, I find the most effective trolling speed to be between 1 and 1.25 miles per hour for the smaller model and up to 2.25 miles per hour for the larger, as designed.
Good electronics are also a key factor in locating the depth of the fish you're after. Lakes like Shasta “turn over” a couple of times a year, usually in late spring or early summer, and in winter. The thermocline is a separation of cooler, oxygenated water and warm water.
My easiest explanation of understanding is to go swimming in the summer and then try it at the same place in the winter, enough said. During the summer months, trout will be suspended in the lower water column with the cooler water, more bait fish, and better oxygenation. Good electronics will help you determine the optimal depth to fish. In targeting lake trout (mackinaws) in many lakes, they prefer bottom contours. Again, good electronics and constant vigilance of the monitor are demanded to keep gear just off the bottom and in the target zone and not snagged up.
Most anglers will use a Sling Blade or other blades as an attractor ahead of the Wiggle Hoochie. Remember the Wiggle Hoochie, by the blade head design imparts its action. The attractor is used as just that and should be tied about 24 inches ahead of the lure. In contrast, a non-bladed Pee-Wee Hoochie does not have built-in action, and a Sling Blade should be tied 8-10 inches ahead of the lure, putting a slight bend in the blade to impart a kicking action.
I still have several goals for the white Wiggle Hoochie. One is to use the bait back trolling for trout and steelhead on the Lower Sacramento and maybe the Trinity River. In concept, it should work well. My other and main goal is to target trophy fish, bettering my personal best on a few species. I will look for that elusive Tyee, a king salmon over 30 pounds; my PB is just under at 29. I look to target a 30-pound mackinaw at Odell Reservoir in Oregon, where my best is 16. I am also looking to better my 16-pound Pyramid Lake Lahontan Cutthroat with a 25-pounder. Lastly, I would love to hang a 30-pound Muskie at Lake of the Woods. Maybe lofty goals, but that’s why you set them, and I know that there is a good possibility of success using the white Wiggle Hoochie.
In the early eighties, I spent most of my free time honing my skills as a bass angler, fishing in club tournaments in Central and the Central Coast lakes of California. I also dabbled in making and selling lures to local bait and tackle shops. A friend, Jim Rodan, introduced me to salmon fishing along the Central Coast in 1985, and that led to my introduction to the bladed hoochie baits.
Attending a fishing show in Redondo Beach, I came upon the Wally Whale Squid Devil Head made by Zak Tackle in Tacoma, Washington, a line-thru designed blade to impart action to a squid hoochie style bait. I was intrigued by this new (to me) concept as I was and still am looking for innovations or concepts in fishing lures and their applications. I began making and selling lures utilizing this design concept with the Devil Head.
Fast forward a few years to another show, the ISE (International Sportsman’s Exhibition) in Sacramento, where I was introduced to Gary Miralles of Shasta Tackle Company. The Shasta Tackle Wiggle Hoochie head design had refined and taken the bladed head hoochie bait to another level. Not only was this a squid bait, but also a great bait fish imitator. Being offered in two sizes, there was a larger bait to target salmon in the ocean, as well as larger trout species like lake trout and the Lahontan Cutthroat of Pyramid Lake. The smaller size is perfect for chasing rainbows and browns as well as Kokanee and landlocked king salmon.
It should be noted that while marketed as a trout lure, bass and other species are often caught as the lure matches the size and action of natural bait fish.
As Gary had seen my designed lures in some tackle shops, we found common interests and developed a fast friendship. One thing that I am happy and blessed to say endures to this day.
After moving to Redding, I began a guiding service specializing in trout and kokanee fishing on Shasta and Whiskeytown lakes, along with fly fishing the Lower Sacramento River. Utilizing many of the Shasta Tackle products on the lakes, I approached Gary in hopes of becoming a pro-staff member and was gratefully accepted. This opened a wealth of shared information with Gary and other pro-staffers for fishing on Shasta and other waters.
The Mack’s Lure community fondly remembers Lou Hubert - an angling mentor, avid outdoorsman, and beloved friend - whose life on the water was defined by a deep love of fishing and a tireless commitment to sharing his knowledge and skill with others.
Lou’s connection to fishing ran deeper than any lake or river he explored. He greeted each new day as an opportunity to fish and to help others discover the same joy he found on the water. Whether landing Kokanee and trout in California’s reservoirs or swapping stories at the dock, Lou was known for his patience, good humor, and kindness towards others.
His true legacy lies not only in the fish he caught or the techniques he mastered, but in the way he selflessly devoted time to teaching others. Whether engaging with youngsters just learning to tie their first knot or experienced anglers eager for new insights, Lou’s gentle encouragement and clear instruction transformed frustration into confidence and turned a day of fishing into a rewarding adventure.
Indeed, Lou enjoyed helping fellow anglers succeed. He generously passed on tips, celebrated others’ victories, and fostered a supportive community where everyone was welcome.
We invite you to leave your thoughts and memories of Lou on our Mack's Lure Facebook page, where we have shared this tribute and his final article.
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