Among the wide variety of swimbaits and jigs available to bass anglers, the DARK SLEEPER has quietly established itself as one of the most effective and versatile options for targeting pressured fish on the bottom and mid depth areas. Its numerous weight and length options offer an ideal profile, fall rate and action for both largemouth and smallmouth bass, especially in clear to moderately stained water. What sets this bait apart is its keel-weighted internal design, which keeps the lure perfectly upright on the bottom and ensures a consistent posture on the fall and contact during dragging retrieves. This realism—combined with a dorsal fin weed guard protecting its sticky sharp hook—allows anglers to fish it around vegetation and a variety of manmade and natural structure without snag.
NEW COLORS FOR THE DARK SLEEPER 3IN 1/2OZ
- ALBINO PEARL – a spin off the signature MAGDRAFT color- a high-contrast choice that excels in numerous water and weather conditions
- FRESH PERCH – a northern angler’s weapon. Perfect for when juvenile yellow perch are present
- GHOST SHRIMP – triggers bites in clear water and tough bite scenarios where crawfish are present
- GILLKKO – a bluegill-inspired pattern that excels when panfish are key forage
- GOBY DESERT – ideal for when round gobies and sculpins become forage in rocky areas and sand flats
- MIDNIGHT GOBY – a complimenting natural but darker goby based tone that creates silhouette contrast in deeper water and low light.
- MORNING GOBY – a sunrise-tinted variation of the goby palette, perfect for lowlight and post-front conditions.
- NUMA CRAW – an essential Green Pumpkin based colorway that excels when craws and small dark baitfish are being targeted
- THE REAL DEAL – a highly natural baitfish imitation when fish key in on shad and minnows
- TWILIGHT PURPLE – subtle flash similar to gizzard shad while maintaining an element of finesse for pressured situations
TECHNIQUE & GEAR
Dragging the DARK SLEEPER slowly like a football jig can produce success, but a more aggressive snap-and-drop retrieve can also trigger numbers of bites. This snap-and-drop technique is simple: let the bait settle on bottom, give it a sharp upward pop, and let it fall naturally. This movement triggers bass into striking instinctively—especially when the lure ricochets off hard structure or disturbs bottom sediment.
For the 3” version, pairing it with a DESTROYER P5 F4.5-71X DARK SLEEPER and 12-17lb fluorocarbon provide the control and sensitivity needed for maximum effectiveness. The intuitive loading characteristics of the rod fuel long distance casts, while harnessing the sensitivity needed to map out key bottom areas with confidence. If more power is needed for deeper waters and/or bigger fish, the DESTROYER P5 F7-75X BMG harnesses a wellspring of trophy lifting power with a tip that provides just enough give to prevent unnatural blank tension during the bite.
The DARK SLEEPER is more than just another soft bait—it’s a refined reaction tool that blends the subtlety of finesse fishing with the aggression of jig-style contact. Its combination of profile, weight, and hook protection makes it a go-to for both clear and slightly stained water, particularly when bass are holding tight to the bottom. With the right colors in your arsenal and confidence across various retrieves, the SLEEPER has the potential to become one of the most productive lures in your box.
