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Lure Review

 

 

All You Have To Do Is Dream ... Shot

 

Date: 10/25/21
Tackle Type: Lures
Manufacturer: Strike King
Reviewer: Cal






Total Score: 7.92 - GOOD

Introduction:
Always on the lookout for something new and exciting, finesse baits are something that usually catches our attention. I was surprised to discover the subject of today's review not so much because Strike King was making it, but more so because KVD's name is attached. When I think of KVD fishing, I always have in mind him throwing something more active than a finesse bait. Nevertheless, the KVD Dream Shot is not a bait you should overlook.

 

Strike King KVD Dream Shot Specifications

Type Drop Shot Bait
Material Soft Plastic
Colors/Patterns Up to 16 depending on the variant
Sizes 4, 4 1/4 & 5 inches
Scent/Plastic Treatment Coffee Scented
# per package 7 - 10 depending on size and variant
Resealable Bag? Yes
MSRP $4.99


Introducing Strike King's Dream Shot OPT

Impressions: Strike King's KVD Dream Shot comes in three configurations. The standard Dream Shot is a four inch long bait, the first three inches of which are very similar to a hand poured finesse worm only just a hair wider. The tail end of the first three inches pinches down towards the tail, but then the remainder of the bait widens out again for the tail. Manufacturers often describe this shape as a "shad like" profile. I don't understand the resemblance.

 


Strike King's KVD Dream Shot OPT comes in a 4.25 & 5 inch sizes

 

There is also a "Magnum" Dream Shot featuring the same exact profile only at five inches (5"). The collective egos of a good percentage of the male population just got a massive boost knowing that 5" is now considered "Magnum." The third configuration is the Dream Shot OPT. OPT is short for open pour technology. This version of the dream shot is the same shape as the original but available in four and a quarter (4.25) and five inch lengths. It's supposed to have the same consistency as a hand poured worm.


Layering of colors resembles a hand pour

Real World Tests: When it comes to soft plastic, any mention of consistency akin to hand pour and you really don't have to tell me twice. Curious to the claims, the OPT version of Strike King's Dream Shot was pretty much all I fished and of course, I had to fish the "Magnum" size.


The traditional, flat side of a hand pour

 

Hand Pour Consistency? Whatever Strike King has done to mimic the consistency of a hand poured worm, they were successful. Right off the bat, the first thing I noticed about these worms is they are soft and supple, just like a hand pour. You can just tell they're going to get bit.

 


The Dream Shot's Tail bulges a little giving it a little extra action

 

Durability : Whatever it is about soft, hand poured worms or soft plastics with that same consistency, fish just seem to love them. They probably move around in the water more easily with subtle responses to current and other factors. But because they are so soft, when they get bit, the likelihood of losing the worm during a battle is high. This is especially true if the bait rides up on the hook onto your line and you're battling a fish that's intent on breaking the surface of the water and shaking it's head.

 


That pinch between the tail and main body gives the bait a lot of flexibility

 

If you're using a good quality hook, the fish may not shake the hook, but it will very likely shake off your Dream Shot OPT worm. Sometimes you can scoop them back up out of the water, sometimes they're too far away from the boat or just slowly sink down out of reach as you're battling your catch. If you're one who prioritizes multiple catches with each soft plastic bait, you'll probably want to fish the original Dream Shot.


Keeping baits on the line/hook for photo-ops is difficult. Fortunately, I had a package laying out on the deck for the occasion

Design & Ergonomics: One slightly peculiar quirk with Strike King's KVD Dream Shot is the available colors. The complete color pallet of twenty one (21) available colors is only true for the original, 4" version. The Magnum is offered in fourteen (14) different colors while the OPT is limited to nine (9) that we could find. You would think that each size and variant would be available in all the colors.


These baits are loaded with salt

Price & Applications: Fortunately, whichever variant you choose, the KVD Dream Shot in any configuration is family priced at $4.99 per pack. Now, the number of baits in each pack does vary depending on the variant and size, but that's the case with all brands.


The KVD Dream Shot in any configuration is family priced at $4.99 per pack

Ratings

Strike King KVD Dream Shot Ratings (?/10)

Construction/Quality The OPT, especially, is just like a hand pour 9
Performance These baits catch fish, but some anglers will not appreciate limited durability 8
Price Fairly commensurate with the competition 7.5
Features Coffee scented to mask human oils and scents, really good bait consistency with the OPT version 8
Design (Ergonomics) Available in many different colors and sizes, though the color pallet does not appear to be universal 7
Application An excellent choice for finesse applications 8

Total Score

7.92
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
+ Good size and action in the water - Color pallet is not universal
+ Nice, soft, bait consistency - especially with the OPT - OPT version is not very durable
+ Entire color pallet is not universal, but the important colors are  

  


Strike King's KVD Dream Shot OPT has the super soft consistency anglers with West Coast roots really covet

 

Conclusion: There are a lot of finesse bait alternatives on the market, but few with the super soft plastic consistency us West Coast anglers are accustomed. I'm uncertain as to whether or not Strike King plans to expand their OPT tech or if they already have, but I like what they've done with the KVD Dream Shot. However, given the bait's profile and color selections, there's little doubt in my mind you really need to go with the OPT version. It's a size and shape that just screams of getting bit. My advice is, if durability is your primary concern, get the original, but if you don't mind burning through bags and bags of your baits during a hot bite, definitely go with the open pour (OPT). I don't need to tell you which version I'll be relying upon.

 

Looking for Strike King's KVD Dream Shot? Try TackleWarehouse:

KVD Dream Shot : Dream Shot OPT : Magnum Dream Shot

 

 

   

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