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This week, host Nick Williams checks in with longtime Lake Eufaula guide Steve “Graz” Graziano of Graz’s Guide Service and lure maker Hunter Suchsland of LS Lures. The pair reveal the story behind their new collaboration — the “Graz Special” jig — a custom, hand-tied creation that’s already drawing attention from serious bass anglers. They dive into its design, unique color blend, and why they believe this bait will become a must-have for jig fishermen everywhere.
Conditions Recap
Fall continues to deliver prime jig-fishing weather across Alabama’s lakes and rivers. Water temperatures are cooling, bass are moving into shallower structure, and anglers are finding success around ledges, hard spots, and grass lines. As Graz points out, autumn and early winter are “jig time” throughout the region, with big bites coming to anglers who slow down and fish methodically. Whether you’re dragging a football head or flipping docks, this is the perfect season to refine your jig presentation.
Steve “Graz” Graziano – Graz’s Guide Service
Steve “Graz” Graziano has been fishing jigs since the early 1980s and has spent decades perfecting the right combination of color, profile, and action. His search for the perfect jig led to a collaboration with LS Lures and Hunter Suchsland. The result: the Graz Special, a jig that combines hand-tied craftsmanship with premium components and a skirt color that Graz has been chasing for years.
According to Graz, the color and material selection make this jig stand out. It features a green pumpkin head and brush guard, accented with amber, red, and gold hues on top, and a darker belly with black and red flake — mimicking crawfish, bream, and even golden shiners. Graz emphasizes that the LS Lures construction quality — from the sharp hooks to the hand-tied skirts — makes these jigs last far longer than banded alternatives. “You don’t miss them when you lean on them,” he says, noting that the jig’s durability and hook design have been instrumental in catching trophy bass.
On the water, Graz has been fishing the football head version offshore and experimenting with a bladed variant. He reports excellent results with both, noting that hand-tied skirts maintain their flare and action over time. His go-to trailer? A Zoom Z-Craw in root beer pepper green with chartreuse-dyed tips, trimmed to balance perfectly with the jig’s profile. He recommends anglers experiment with skirt and brush guard length to fine-tune the presentation — a level of customization that’s possible thanks to the jig’s generous skirt material and high-quality build.
Hunter Suchsland – LS Lures
Hunter Suchsland, founder of LS Lures, brings a lure maker’s precision to the collaboration. When Graz approached him with his vision, Suchsland immediately saw the potential for something special. Together, they refined the jig’s color and build through multiple prototypes, experimenting with skirt placement, living rubber versus silicone combinations, and head styles until it performed exactly as Graz intended.
Hunter explains that the Graz Special will be available in every LS Lures head style — from football and casting jigs to swim and bladed versions — giving anglers flexibility for any type of cover. The jig’s lighter top and darker belly reverse the typical color scheme, providing a unique flashing action as it moves. “When that darker color flares on the bottom, it gets a fish’s attention in a way most jigs don’t,” he says.
Suchsland also highlights the decision to leave the skirts full-length, allowing anglers to customize them to personal preference. “You can always trim a jig, but you can’t add back,” he says. This flexibility, combined with top-tier components and meticulous hand-tying, makes each Graz Special both durable and adaptable.
For trailers, Suchsland favors the Strike King Rage Craw and Rage Menace Grub, swapping between them depending on water clarity and desired action. He believes the Graz Special fills an important gap in the LS Lures lineup — a versatile, confidence-inspiring jig that can produce anywhere in the country. “It’s going to catch big fish coast to coast,” he says.
The Graz Special officially launches on the LS Lures website, where it will be available in all head styles and weights. Anglers can find more information or order directly by searching “LS Lures” online.
