A Rebel Tracdown Minnow and Tracdown Ghost Minnow have more than a name in common. Both are minnow-shaped wobbling lures that are weighted to sink when not in motion, and the Tracdown Minnow (TD50) and Tracdown Ghost Minnow are both 2 ½ inches long. They are distinctive lures, though, and knowing their differences is valuable when making a decision on which one to use.
A couple of differences are obvious from looking at these lures together. The Tracdown Ghost Minnow is notably slenderer and therefore more subtle. Its color patterns are also a bit more natural and less metallic. Therefore, the Tradown Minnow sends out more flash and moves more water.
Another physical difference that is less obvious at a glance but important is that a Tracdown Ghost Minnow comes with barbless treble hooks, making it a good pick for finger safety (especially with young anglers) and a good choice for many special-regulations waters.
Other differences don’t come into play until the baits are put into motion. Though both wobble from side to side, their actions are distinctive so one often will often work better than the other according to the mood of the fish or prevailing conditions.
A Tracdown Ghost Minnow, when cranked steadily has tight wiggle and offers a small profile. However, it darts very erratically when it is jerked. The TD50 Tracdown Minnow kicks a bit wider with a straight retrieve and makes a bigger profile. Jerks don’t make it dart nearly as much as the Ghost Minnow. Instead it just wobbles harder.
Because they are slow sinkers, both Tracdowns are good picks for working in current and for any situation where you have need to work a variety of depths. You can keep either shallow by moving it steadily with the rod tip kept high or get it deep simply by allowing it to sink.
Neither is the better lure, necessarily, and each will be better than the other some of the time. Sometimes the situation makes the better choice obvious. Often you have to experiment and listen to what the fish tell you.