Performance: Most of my testing with this bait was on board my Edge Rods 8' Black Widow cranking stick while paired with a Shimano Antares casting reel spooled with 55lb Daiwa Samurai braid topped with a 12lb Seaguar Tatsu fluorocarbon leader.

Check out the aggressive head design.

Castability: Any lipless bait tied to the end of this combo is just about unfair and the Aruku shad benefited greatly as it sails through the air accommodating any goal of precision or distance. I only fished the 75 size but it is a very easy bait to throw.

Painted swimming fins and an elegant lateral line.

Slow and High Speed: The Aruku shad has good action at both high and slow speeds. The bait swims with a tight shimmy in the water that can be felt whether swimming it back fast or slow.

The Aruku Shad comes equipped with Gamakatsu hooks.

Yo Yo Action: One of the ways in which this bait is most effective is with the yo-yo retrieve. Letting the bait sink to the bottom, pause, then rip it up off the bottom, and repeat. On the fall, the Aruku shad descends with the bait in a neutral position - body parallel to the surface.

A look at the bait's craw pattern.

Position at Rest: What's even more intriguing about this bait is when it hits the bottom, unlike most lipless cranks, it doesn't fall over. Rather the Aruku bait is so well balanced, it sits with its head down and tail up like a baitfish pecking for food!

Next Section: Araku Shad features