The Balam: An essential lure for pike fishing

The Balam lure has quickly established itself as a must-have for pike fishing in France. We've been testing this articulated swimbait for over two years now and one thing's for sure, the results have been nothing short of amazing! Here's our complete guide to the Balam, its fishing, animation and all the techniques for using this lure effectively.

What are the characteristics of the Balam lure?

Balam is a 4-section articulated swimbait with flexible tailThis big bait was developed by Madness in collaboration with Satan Shimada, pro staff at the legendary Evergreen brand. This big bait was developed by Madness in collaboration with Satan Shimada, pro staff at the legendary Evergreen brand. However, it is perfectly suited to pike fishing in France, especially for record pikes ! Here are the main characteristics of this lure:

• 4-segment ABS body with silicone tail
• Initially a floating lure, this 300 version is now available in a sinking version.
• An S-shaped stroke with slight rolling on recovery
• A lure that can withstand recoveries as slow as they are fast
• The Balam can be weighted to adapt its swimming depth.
• A lure with an incredible, highly realistic finish
• Fitted with Decoy YF 33 F treble hooks.

During our many fishing sessions with this lure, especially on the Balam 245We were particularly impressed by the lure's swimming action, regardless of its retrieve speed. In fact, its S-shaped swimming action combined with its light rolling action imitates perfectly the escape of a forage fish. This striking resemblance often provokes spectacular sight attackseven from pike the most distrustful.

The Balam lure is available in three sizes, including two major ones. Each of these sizes is adapted to specific fishing conditions:

Decoy model	Size	Weight	Swimming depth
Balam 300	30 cm	168g	0-2m
Balam 245	24.5 cm	104g	0-1,5m
Balam 255 Variant	25.5 cm	115g	0-2m
Balam 350	35 cm	247g	0-1,5m

If the Balam 245 and the Balam 300 sont les leurres plus plebiscités de la famille, nous apprécions également pêcher avec le Balam 255 Variant. Contrairement à ses confrères, ce dernier est doté d’une soft flap allowing a more natural descent. This feature has proved particularly effective in luring wary pike in the clear waters of Lake Annecy.

How to fish with the Balam?

Here are a few tips based on our experience in the field to get the most out of this lure:

1. Choose the right equipment : Because of its weight (over 100gr), the Balam is a lure that requires suitable equipment. A powerful rod (XH to XXH from 100/120 gr), a strong reel (Calcutta 401) and strong braid will enable you to support its weight and resist the violent attacks of large predators such as pike or catfish.
2. Vary recovery speeds The Balam is a big bait that can be retrieved very quickly. So don't hesitate to take advantage of it if you're fishing above the hebiers. This animation can often trigger reflex attacks. Don't hesitate to alternate between slow retrieves and sudden accelerations.
3. Adapt the depth Even if the Balam is initially a floating lure, you can lead it to explore lower water layers. To do this, you can add a sinker to the eyelet or the triple ventral. This subtlety will allow you to reach the desired depth.
4. Make the most of its versatility The Balam is effective in both shallow and deeper water. We have used it successfully in the shallow grass beds of small ponds, but also on boats in deeper areas of Alpine lakes.

The Balam: a profitable lure for keen anglers

Even though the Balam is a highly successful lure, it is no less expensive. Its price varies between €135 and €155 depending on the model, which may put off some anglers. However, our experience has convinced us that it is a good value for money for keen anglers.

These are the factors that we believe make the Balam 245 as the Balam 300 is a decoy that deserves its place in our box:

• Its effectiveness on large pike and black-bass has reached record levels. Countless catches have been made with this lure.
• Its versatility means you can fish in a wide range of conditions and at different depths.
• Quality materials and a sublime finish. This set guarantees that you will keep this lure for a long time.
• The variety of colours available, making it possible to adapt to all the conditions of our open waters.

The Balam lure has become an established must-have in our predator fishing arsenal. Its remarkable efficiency, versatility and build quality make it a wise investment for any keen angler looking to maximise their chances of catching the fish of a lifetime. Don't hesitate to try it out during your next session. You could be in for some unforgettable fishing!