Reviews & Testimonials

When Capt. John King launched his tackle in 2004, captains and weekend anglers across the Great Lakes wrote in with their results. These testimonials were first published on MichiganSportsman.com and are shared here, lightly edited for length. We still make the same base products: King's Meat Heads and Meat Rigs, flashers, and Salmon Buster spoons.

A note on names: John's first flasher was the 12" "Reel Flasher" (later joined by the 10" BTI), and early meat rigs were often called "Twinkie" or cut-bait rigs. Black Mamba, Yellowtail, King Kobra, King Krimson and the "Secret One" were among his first colors.

Flashers and meat rigs

"Between 9 and 11am, we landed 3 fish over 20# (biggest was 22#) and 3 more in the 16–17# range for a two-man limit of dandy Kings. Hot baits were the blue racer/blue-glow 3-fly rig down 70', and pearl/glow with a white-glow 3-fly meat rig down 50'. I am now a firm believer in the new flasher program. We popped fish after fish while other boats watched us, during a period of the day that is generally slow."

— Capt. Bob Kietzman ("Getaway"), Ludington, MI, July 17, 2004

"My stepbrother trolled with 3 meat rigs only on Saturday and Sunday. Nothing else. He and his two buddies caught their 3-man limit of Kings on the shelf both days. In two days he had at least 300 lbs of fish. The average was 15 lbs each."

— Tom M., Manistee, MI, 4th of July weekend, 2004

"I had the opportunity to take my two cousin's boys out on the big pond. They took their limit of Kings. The Reel Flashers with a Twinkie rig took all but one of the fish. I sure would like to thank you for showing me a new way to fish. This was about the most fun I can remember in a day of fishing."

— Capt. Joel O., Muskegon, MI, July 18, 2004

"Went out this morning and set lines at 6:30 in 110'. A dipsy 120' back with a green blade and green meat rig went right away, then a rigger at 40' with a Black Mamba and red 3-fly meat rig. We ended up with a full box of 6 Kings and 4 Steelhead. For a weekend fisherman like me, this was one of the best days I have ever had."

— Capt. Joel O., Muskegon, MI, August 8, 2004

"This program has made fishing a lot easier and a lot more enjoyable."

— Capt. Craig, Ludington, MI, July 18, 2004

"The information you have provided made it possible for a guy that didn't know a downrigger from a planer board to catch fish and keep it simple. I've been out 8 or 9 times and only got skunked once. Running meat rigs and your flashers, 3 downriggers and 2 dipsies. The last two Monday mornings we went 3 for 3 and 4 for 4. Green flashers, silver 3-fly rig, green rig, and of course Black Mamba with a red 3-fly cut bait rig."

— Capt. Gene, July 19, 2004

"Friday we had our limit in 45 minutes and I never got more than 3 lines down. Two outside riggers with your flashers, 1.8–2.0 mph at the ball, and bam, we slammed them. I am completely addicted to them now. Thanks again for creating a deadly weapon."

— Capt. Mark W., Ludington, MI, July 31, 2004

"We were setting lines by 6:15. By 7:15 we had hooked 7 fish and landed four; we didn't have enough arms available. I found some 43-degree water away from the flotilla and was the only boat in the area. Re-rigged 3-fly meat rigs, black dipsies and fewer rods all work!"

— Capt. Dave, Enforcer Charters, Manistee, MI, August 1, 2004

"This was my first outing with your products on board. 17 salmon landed, 12 of them between 12 and 26 pounds, and 14 taken on your flashers. We ran a 4-rod spread with 2 of us on the boat from 6:30 to 9:30am. Loved the green flasher; it accounted for the most action, we could not keep it in the water. We came in because our arms were sore."

— Tom, Lake Ontario, August 5, 2004

"Thanks for encouraging me to stick with the meat. I was not a believer, but now I am, big time. Two friends and I had the best day I've ever had on big Kings: 9 for 12 from 10am to 2pm. We couldn't close the fish box. Nine of twelve hits came on your chartreuse flasher pulling a green meat rig. You can bet I'll never pull more spoons than meat rigs during the summer again."

— Brian B., skipper of the "Fish Weasel", Manistee, MI, August 7, 2004

"Now that the Kings are here, we have been doing great. Everyone over here was complaining about how tough the fishing is, and we killed 'em. Lemon Lime, the Secret Weapon and Yellow/Blue Dolphin have been hot, with Kelly green and Frog flies. Black Mamba with red early has been very consistent."

— Capt. Cliff, Illinois, Lake Michigan, August 8, 2004

"Your flashers were fantastic. Coupled with the cut bait rigs, I was pulling in consistent catches without spending a lot of time on the water: 3–4 Kings per hour-and-a-half trip. I am very impressed with the Yellowtail and the special one. Black Mamba deserves honorable mention."

— Capt. Paul C., Rogers City, MI, August 20, 2004

"The story of the weekend was last night when we could not keep rods in the water. I ran the King Kobra down the chute and the King Krimson on the number 1 rigger. The two riggers with the King Kobra and King Krimson took 20 of our 30 bites and caught 12 of our 18-fish, 6-man limit. When we were into fish, you could set the rod and stand next to it, and it would go off within seconds."

— Capt. Craig Kent, Killin' Time Charters, Manistee, MI, August 28–29, 2004

"You did indeed make me a believer in your products. Some folks curled their noses at 'cut bait,' especially since they had two fish to our five or more. We caught 44 fish in 7 days of fishing. Every time we were at the cleaning station, Roger had to jump back into the boat to show the non-believers your flashers, as that is all we run now."

— Wanda & Roger, co-captains of the "Wandafish", Manistee, MI, September 7, 2004

"There were times when we couldn't keep Black Mamba and the 'Secret One' in the water. We have pulled spoons, dodgers and squid, dodgers and flies, hootchies and J-plugs over the years, but this Reel Flasher and meat program out-fishes any other method. It's a good feeling to go to the cleaning station and have more nice quality fish than anyone else. Captain John enjoys helping people catch fish as much as if he was catching the fish himself."

— Roger & Cindy H., Manistee, MI, September 2004

"When you wrote the first article on cut bait and your flasher, it was the answer I had been looking for. You said it was simple, forgiving and less was more. Now each time I go out, it is with confidence, no second-guessing my setup. I just focus on locating fish. You have been and are my mentor."

— Gene M., "Reel Trip", Allegan, MI, 2005

"We found an area around 410' of water that was a 'honey hole' and took ten fish three days in a row. We caught adult Kings on meat rigs on downriggers at 269', 277' and finally 288'. The three deep fish all came on the Blue Spot with blue 3-fly rigs. The dipsy squadron shined with the Glo Pearl Squirrel leading the way, complemented by the Puke, the Undertaker and the X-Glo Blue. My investment last winter paid off with 'priceless' memories. Thanks for the superior product line."

— Capt. Jim H. ("Blue Rhino"), Algoma, WI, September 5, 2005

Salmon Buster spoons

"This is my second order. I liked the first order (caught a really nice King using Manistee Mojo), so I am placing a second order."

— Troy P., Michigan, May 2015

Share your results

We'd love to hear how King's tackle works for you. Send us your story or email kingsfishingtacklellc@gmail.com, and include a photo of your catch and the colors you ran.

Shop the tackle in these stories: Flasher + Meat Rig combos · Meat Rigs · Flashers · Salmon Buster spoons

More: Our Story: Capt. John King · How the Meat Program Began