BULLFLAT

BULLFLAT is a bluegill-shaped soft plastic developed by Japanese lure manufacturer deps.

Its wide, flattened body imitates the deep profile of a bluegill, an important forage fish for largemouth bass in many Japanese lakes, ponds, and rivers.

The lure features a segmented tail that responds to subtle water movement and small fin-like appendages that produce delicate vibrations during the fall or while resting near the bottom.

One of BULLFLAT's defining characteristics is its spiral-falling action. Water resistance against the flattened body causes the lure to rotate and glide as it descends, creating a distinctive presentation compared with conventional straight-falling soft plastics.

The series includes 2, 3, 3.8, 4.8, and 5.8-inch models.

Standard salt-containing and non-salt versions offer different fall rates, buoyancy, and presentations, allowing anglers to adapt the lure to different fishing conditions.

BULLFLAT reflects the importance of bluegill patterns in Japanese bass fishing, particularly in lakes and ponds where bass regularly feed on bluegill.

Rather than simply copying the appearance of a bluegill, deps designed BULLFLAT to reproduce the subtle movements and unusual falling behavior of a small, vulnerable fish.

Its flattened body creates a distinctive spiral fall, while the segmented tail and fin-like appendages continue moving with minimal water flow.

The lure can be presented around submerged vegetation, complicated cover, and bottom structure where bass may be waiting to ambush prey.

Another important feature is the choice of material. The standard salt-containing version provides a heavier presentation, while the non-salt version is designed for slower, more independent falling movements.

This flexibility makes BULLFLAT useful for a variety of Japanese soft-plastic techniques, from weightless presentations to Free Rigs and bottom-oriented fishing.

Japanese anglers fish BULLFLAT with several different rigs, choosing the presentation according to water depth, cover, and the desired falling action.

Free Rig: The non-salt version is particularly well suited to Free Rig fishing. Its buoyant material allows the lure to remain separated from the sinking weight and descend slowly after the sinker reaches the bottom. The broad body creates a visible silhouette during the fall.

Weightless Rig: Without an added sinker, the lure's flattened body and segmented tail produce natural movement as it falls. The standard salt-containing version provides more weight, while the non-salt version can be used for a much slower presentation.

Texas Rig: A sliding sinker allows a wider spiral fall, while a fixed sinker produces a tighter spiral. This gives anglers a way to adjust the action around vegetation and cover.

Lift & Fall: Short lifts followed by controlled falls allow the tail and fin-like appendages to create movement near the bottom. BULLFLAT can also be used as a jig trailer for a more compact falling action.

The key is to take advantage of the lure's broad profile and distinctive falling behavior rather than relying entirely on aggressive rod movements.

• Lakes and ponds with abundant bluegill
• Submerged vegetation and weed edges
• Docks and complicated cover
• Free Rig presentations
• Weightless fishing
• Texas rigs with sliding or fixed sinkers
• Bottom-oriented Lift & Fall presentations
• Clear water with non-salt models
• Bass targeting bluegill and other deep-bodied forage fish
• Situations where a distinctive falling action can trigger bites

Bluegill-shaped soft plastics are not exclusive to Japan, and BULLFLAT is also available through American tackle retailers.

What makes BULLFLAT distinctive is its combination of a broad bluegill profile, subtle vibrating appendages, and a deliberately designed spiral-falling action.

Unlike many conventional creature baits that emphasize kicking appendages or a straight downward fall, BULLFLAT uses water resistance against its flattened body to create a rotating descent.

The standard and non-salt formulations also offer substantially different presentations. In particular, the buoyant non-salt version can be paired with a Free Rig to create a slow, independent falling action after the sinker reaches the bottom.

For US anglers interested in Japanese bass fishing, BULLFLAT demonstrates how lure shape, material density, and rigging can be combined to create a highly specialized presentation around familiar bluegill forage.