Malosi - Crusader 180M
About this lure
The Malosi Crusader 180M is a heavy-duty sub-surface minnow engineered for New Zealand's topwater game when fish are feeding just below the skin. Built with a solid Paulownia wood core and a durable resin shell, this lure offers the perfect solution for targeting Kingfish and large pelagics on reef edges and wash zones where surface strikes are reluctant.
Designed to track true in turbulent water, the Crusader features a reinforced bib that bites instantly, allowing it to hold depth and flash hard in current. Its action is versatile; a rod sweep produces a deep thud, while a slow retrieve creates a seductive side-to-side roll. This 180mm floating lure rises cleanly on the pause, helping you clear shallow reef snags while triggering aggressive reaction bites from stalking predators.
- Hybrid Construction – Combines a buoyant Paulownia wood core with a tough ABS-like resin shell for maximum durability.
- Sub-Surface Action – Dives and tracks just below the surface, ideal for choppy conditions or shy fish.
- Thru-Wire System – Features 2mm stainless steel 316L wire to withstand the raw power of NZ Kingfish.
- Versatile Retrieve – Delivers a heavy thud on the sweep and a rolling flash on a straight wind.
- Bibbed Design – Ensures the lure bites fast and holds its swimming depth even in strong currents.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 180mm |
| Weight | 95g (Unrigged) |
| Type | Floating Sub-Surface Minnow |
| Rec. Treble Hooks | 4/0–5/0 |
| Rec. Single Hooks | 5/0 |
How to fish the Malosi - Crusader 180M
Big Kev's Tips
How to work it
The Crusader 180M works best on a slow, deliberate retrieve that lets its side-to-side roll shine in the sub-surface zone.
Fish it over reef edges and wash zones where surface-feeding predators patrol, working the lure just below the skin in choppy conditions where a shy fish might ignore topwater poppers.
Rod sweeps produce a deep thud that triggers aggressive strikes from kingfish and large pelagics; pause between sweeps to let the lure rise and clear shallow reef snags.
The reinforced bib holds depth and flashes hard in current, so maintain steady contact and be ready for explosive takes.
Which colour, and when
RaptureNatural baitfish flash for clear water and bright daylight.
AcidNatural baitfish flash for clear water and bright daylight.
FuseHigh-vis chartreuse cuts through when the water is stained or the light is flat.
SushiWarm flash reads well in low light or slightly off-colour water.
NecroDark silhouette with flash panel punches a hard outline in bright-day chop or low light.
CalypsoNatural baitfish flash for clear water and bright daylight.
NabooNatural baitfish flash for clear water and bright daylight.
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