Gear Review: SPRO Little John Type R MD 50 and 50

WHAT IS IT? 

SPRO Little John Type R MD 50 and 50 

WHAT SETS IT APART?

SPRO has never been modest about touting the bass-catching prowess of its Little John 50 or the MD50 model, but now these baits are making plenty of noise on their own — thanks to their sonic upgrades. Adding a hard steel ball, SPRO now offers rattling versions of these popular crankbaits. Both of these 1/2-ounce, 2 1/2-inch baits are built with weight transfer system to facilitate long casts — the steel ball simply replaces the silent tungsten ball used for the original models.

HOW DO I USE IT?

The Rattling Little John 50 is built with the same durable, sensitive computer board chip as its predecessor and runs about 3-5 feet deep. That lip is designed to give the shallow running bait a tight wobble, while retaining sufficient action to deflect off cover. The Rattling Little John MD50 includes a more traditional bill and covers a deeper range of 7 to 9 feet. Both baits carry No. 5 Gamakatsu round bend treble hooks. Available in eight colors.

HOW MUCH?

$13.17

MORE INFORMATION: 

Spro.com

ANGLER’S INSIGHT: 

Bassmaster Elite Series veteran John Crews designed the Little John 50 for running across submerged vegetation and targeting suspended fish. The new rattling versions should play well for prespawners staging in submerged grass, while running these baits down a riprap bank, over a shell bar or next to a bluff seems like a natural fit. These new noisemakers should also excel when post-frontal conditions start to stabilize and those pouty fish still suspending begin listening to their rumbling bellies.