Megabass Ito Shiner Jerk Rip Bait Product Review

Lure Review

The Original Vision for Yuki Ito's RipBait : The Megabass Ito Shiner

Date:	2/21/18
Tackle Type:	Lure
Manufacturer:	Megabass of America
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 7.75 - EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARD

Introduction: The popularity of Megabass's Vision OneTen jerkbait is undeniable. It is among the most imitated hardbaits on the market today and by far one of the most effective. One can argue it is the bait that put Megabass on the map. A couple of years ago, the company unveiled a hard plastic version of a hand carved jerkbait Yuki Ito had in his personal tackle box. This forgotten bait actually served as the inspiration for the OneTen and now Megabass has done their best to replicate that bait as a production lure. Here now is our look at Megabass's Ito Shiner.

Megabass Ito Shiner Specifications
Type	Rip/Jerk Bait (suspending)
Length	4 1/2"
Weight	1/2 oz
Depth	6'
Material	Hard Plastic
Colors	16
Hooks	3x #4 Katsuage
MSRP	$25.99

Introducing Megabass's Ito Shiner.

Impressions: The Ito Shiner is a four and half inch (4 1/2") bait weighing in at half an ounce (1/2 oz). The bait comes equipped with three #4 sized Katsuage out barb hooks and an internal weighting system Megabass refers to as their Triple-Tungsten Weight Oscillate System. This patented system consists of three tungsten balls that slide from the front of the bait to the back to aid with casting. Once the bait is in the water and you begin your retrieve, those weights then transfer back to a chamber in the front where they give the bait the proper balance it needs during your retrieve.

The Ito Shiner is a production replica of Yuki Ito's original wood carving for the Vision OneTen.

Real World Tests: For the Ito Shiner's field tests, I chose the resurrected G.Loomis MBR842C GLX paired with the latest Shimano Chronarch MGL spooled with 10lb Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon.

There is an internal weight transfer system consisting of three tungsten bearings.

Castability: Megabass's Ito Shiner is equipped with moving balancer system enabled with several tungsten bearings housed in a channel that extends from the bait's belly to its tail.

The weighted casting system works flawlessly on each cast with the tungsten bearings firing to the back of the bait as you release helping not only with distance but accuracy of your cast as well.

The bearings slide from the bait's belly to its tail section shifting the bait's momentum in the direction of your cast.

Dive Time: The Ito Shiner begins to work right from the very first twitch of your rod tip or rip of your entire rod. It has really good resistance in the water reinforcing the perception that the bait is working properly. It's rated to a six foot running depth and that feels about right especially on ten pound fluorocarbon. It has a slightly less pronounced side to side jump with each pull of your rod tip as compared to the Vision OneTen.

The Ito Shiner's diving bill has a circular depression in the middle giving the bait a little more "bite" in the water.

Next Section: Kill your retrieve...