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Lure Review

 

Optimum's Shad That Goes Boom Boom Pow! (continued)

 

Ease of Actuation : Here's where the two sizes differ a little. On the descent and during a slow retrieve, the 4" Boom Boom's tail will wiggle, but it takes a bit more to get the 6-incher's tail moving. I'd say the 6" is best fished at a medium to fast retrieve. The 4" Boom Boom is good really at all speeds.

 


And run the hook through the slit belly.

 

Quality of Movement : Both sizes have a very steady body during a slower speeds but once you pick up the pace and get that tail moving, the entire body has a tight shimmying motion. Optimum states the external fins are there to help stabilize the bait. If this is the reason, then those fins are really doing their job because the Boom Boom Shad has a very enticing, confidence inspiring swimming motion that mimics a fleeing baitfish.

 


Ready to go.

 

Position at Rest : If left to descend on a slack line, both sizes and configurations sort of fall over when they hit the bottom, but on a controlled descent that is not angled straight down, you can get the Boom Boom Shad to actually sit on its belly for a second or two. You can then drag it slowly along the bottom and while the tail won't move on a super slow drag, the bait will move in an upright position like a bait fish scooting along the bottom.

 


The line tie is concealed.

Durability : Optimum uses a relatively soft, but durable plastic with the Boom Boom Shad. I didn't catch anywhere near enough fish on this bait to really test its durability, but it holds up through a handful of fish pretty well. I did not experience any tails falling off prematurely, and thanks to an open slit in the bait's belly, I didn't have any problems with the hook ripping up the bait on a fish either. But realize, on the baits you rig with that screw-in bait keeper, results will vary greatly depending on the fighting spirit in the fish that you catch.


The bait's body features realistic scale patterns.

Design & Ergonomics: The Boom Boom shad has some very thoughtful design features. First is the concealed line tie. The nose of the bait actually extends on either side of the line tie to conceal your knot from view. Second is the belly slit in the standard bait to facilitate rigging with the pre-weighted screw in swimbait hooks like those from Gamakatsu or Owner.


The top of the bait is concaved to help conceal an exposed hook point.

Lastly, the top edge of each Boom Boom Shad is concave providing a natural channel within which the hook point of your weighted swimbait hooks can sit providing a somewhat weedless profile while at the same time making it easier for you to set the hook once a fish bites.


The pre-rigged version has an internal harness ending in treble hook.

The only slightly negative aspect of these baits design wise is the plastic being used does have a very manufactured scent to it so our recommendation is to coat the Boom Boom Shad with your fish attractant of choice. Most swimbait anglers recommend this practice regardless. When it comes time to lather up our swimbaits Zander and I both use either Pro Cure Super Gel or Smelly Jelly.


This is the tail that supplies the Boom Boom Shad with its action.

Price & Applications: The unrigged Boom Boom Shad retails for $9.99 per pack of 3 in the 4" or 2 in the 6". The pre-rigged Boom Boom retails for $10.99 per package of one, so if you're looking for value, you certainly get more with the unrigged Boom Boom Shad.


This little guy inhaled it!

Ratings

Optimum Boom Boom Shad Ratings (?/10)

Construction/Quality Very simple looking swimbait, but made with good quality soft plastic and good hardware in the pre-rigged version 8
Performance I liked the 4" a bit more than the 6" - really nice swimming motion either way 8
Price More than just a simple paddletail, not quite a serious swimbait, but a good value overall 7.5
Features Realistic eyes, belly slit for easy rigging, availability of pre-rigged version... this is product is well thought out 7
Design (Ergonomics) The Boom Boom Shad won't win any awards for being realistic in appearance, but it might for its swimming motion 7.5
Application A very versatile paddletail bait 7

Total Score

7.5
Ratings Key: 1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable!
For More Details of the updated rating system visit our explanation here

 

Pluses and Minuses:

Plus

Minus
+ Nice swimming action - Faint manufactured plastic smell from the bait
+ Available in rigged or un-rigged configurations  
+ Really good value with the unrigged version  

  


If you're looking for a new paddletail bait to sample or looking to try one for the first time, the Boom Boom Shad belongs on your short list.

 

Conclusion: For many, paddletail swimbaits like the Boom Boom Shad are the new spinnerbait. Rigged weedless, you can and should throw them anywhere you would a bladed bait and often times the bites are bigger. Well, at least they feel bigger. Ever since Steve Kennedy weighed in his record limit at Clear Lake back in 2007 largely on the Basstrix Paddletail and Huddleston swimbaits, these soft plastic wonders have become a staple - especially in tackle boxes out west. The Boom Boom Shad takes this concept to a slightly different level with a bait that is more robust than the original Basstrix and because of its density and weight, infinitely easier to throw. If you're looking for a new paddletail bait to sample or looking to try one for the first time, the Boom Boom Shad belongs on your short list.

 

Looking for Optimum Boom Boom Shad Swimbaits?

Try TackleWarehouse


 

   

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