The Gracely Baits Finesse Gill #gracelybaits #tcbfinessegill #tcbshat

Swimbait Review

A Gateway Swimbait – The Gracely Baits Finesse Gill (continued)

To optimize the bait's performance, I found that attaching it to a split ring at the front resulted in the best action and the widest range of motion. I experimented with various line tests, ranging from 8 to 15 lbs., and found that 12 lb. fluorocarbon line suited my preferences best, offering a significantly lighter alternative compared to what I typically use with other glide baits. Additionally, fluorocarbon lines aid in achieving greater depth compared to fishing with straight monofilament. The Finesse Gill's lighter weight enables covering a larger area with each cast, although it's crucial to take your time working the bait to fully exploit its drawing potential.

The tails are glued in and there is no mechanical connection so they can come off after very violent strikes. The good news is Kyle offers extra replacements (3 for 10$) and they can easily be glued in quickly

Price and Applications: The Finesse Gill is priced at $80 for standard patterns and blanks, with special paint versions retailing for $100. Kyle is personally an accomplished painter and collaborates with numerous talented painters for his baits, including WT Lure Works, Reelest Imaging, Floyd Wilkins, and Clickbait Customs just to name a few. The hard-profiled fins of the Finesse Gill provide an excellent canvas for Kyle and these painters to showcase a diverse range of patterns. Unlike most gill baits with small or soft fins, the dorsal fins of the Finesse Gill allow for additional detailing such as shadows or spots, adding depth and complexity to the bait's appearance.

Finesse Gills preparing for paint. While Kyle is an accomplished painter he also collabs with many of the top painters out there frequently to offer his baits in a larger variety of patterns

TCB lures are available directly from the company through periodic drops, with notifications often posted on Instagram. While these drops often sell out within hours, Kyle's recent transition to full-time bait building means that he's not only expanding his bait lineup but also increasing availability for each drop. He also attends several events each year, like Toxic Day, to make them available in different regions.

An example of a collab with Reelest Imaging on a gill pattern we previously saw on the UFO Mini. This highly realistic colorway looks great on the TCB

While the price range of $80 to $100 may initially appear steep for a small swimbait, I believe it represents a fair value for a custom garage-built bait of this caliber. There's a common misconception that smaller baits should inherently be less expensive, which often holds true for mass-produced injected baits. However, in the realm of custom swimbaits, crafting smaller lures presents its own set of challenges. Numerous custom builders have attested to the fact that constructing standard-sized baits is often easier and more financially viable due to the labor involved and retail prices.

If the TCB is a Finesse Swimbait what is the tiny Gancraft 70?

Then there is the subject of exactly what is a finesse swimbait. The debate over what constitutes a "finesse swimbait" is a nuanced one. While there are indeed smaller swimbaits on the market, such as the diminutive 2.75” Gancraft Jointed Claw, these baits often behave more like undersized lures rather than true representations of their larger counterparts. While technically categorized as "swimbaits" in design, the fishing experience with these miniature versions differs significantly from that of traditional "big baits." Instead of traditional swimbait tackle, anglers often find that these tiny swimbaits are best suited for use with BFS or spinning gear.

Preparing to sling the full size Gracely Bait Gill

In contrast, the Gracely Baits Finesse Gill maintains the appearance and functionality of a traditional swimbait, albeit in a smaller form. While the term "finesse swimbait" can mean different things to different people, we believe it aptly applies to this compact gill. Compared to other custom gill glides on the market, the Finesse Gill offers a smaller profile and a swimbait fishing experience, just one that is more aligned with finesse techniques.

Kyle's newest bait... The Shat

As an established offering from TGB, the Finesse Gill has solidified its place among Kyle's creations. However, Kyle's latest addition to his lineup is the finesse-oriented glide bait named the "Shat." I had the opportunity to see a prototype of this bait at the recent Toxic Day event, and it has since been officially launched, garnering attention and proving its effectiveness by already catching a multitude of fish.

Shat baits out of the mold during the build process

Recently, I began fishing with this new bait and had the chance to discuss its hybrid profile with Kyle.

“The idea behind this was that I wanted something else in the Gracely Baits line up, and I was torn between a shad or a trout. While thinking about this, I decided to try and come up with something that could evenly represent the both of these, and that’s how this began. This is a bait that I have been working on for 3 years, and recreated 4 separate times. This final version is the shat though. The bait is 5”, 1 ounce, and is bound to be a fish catcher. The best part is that the name was the product of trying to mix the words “trout” and “shad”. Shrout? No. Trad? No. Shat? Yes,” Kyle explained.

The Shat - What a hilariously awesome name for a hybrid swimbait.

Comparing the Finesse Gill with the Shat. Still tiny.

After spending a few hours fishing with the Shat, I've admittedly grown quite fond of its profile and action. Featuring a longer tail and more traditional dimensions compared to the Finesse Gill, it delivers a robust glide for its compact size while remaining effortless to cast with traditional tackle. Personally, I've found the Shat to be more stable across all retrieves and speeds, and has the potential to be Kyle’s best bait yet.

Kyle is working on a range of new baits including lipped divers

In addition to the Finesse Gill and Shat, Kyle has been diligently working on larger-profile gill baits, essentially upscaled versions of the Finesse Gill. Having fished one of the early prototypes for half a season, I've observed a similar action to the smaller version, albeit in a larger and more visible profile. While I still find the Finesse Gill to attract more bites, there are instances where a larger bait is necessary to match the local forage. It's encouraging to see Kyle expanding his lineup to cater to the "big-bait" segment.

Ratings:

The Gracely Baits Finesse Gill Ratings (?/10)
Construction/Quality	The Gracely Baits has come a long way in a short few seasons and the builds have become increasingly refined. Overall quality of the construction of the resin body and tail are great, and because the dorsal and anal fins are molded right out of the body they also hold up well to strikes. The one area where there can be damage is the tail, which does not have a mechanical connection. This is much less of an issue with a bait this small but losing tails is part of the game and having a few extra at the ready to glue in is a good idea	8
Performance	As you might expect the smaller profile of the Finesse Gill makes it an easy eat for fish of all sizes. Once you dial in the chop style glide it draws plenty of interest and generates strikes. I love using fluorocarbon with this bait to get down a bit and really work the bait with reel bumps and instant hooksets. Though this is more of a numbers bait it can bring in some bigger fish as well, and especially when bass are actively feeding on sunfish in spring and summer	9
Price	At $80-$100 the Finesse Gill is a reasonably priced garage built swimbait. The artistry is on full display on some patterns and the collabs are definitely worth the premium	8.5
Features	The biggest features on this bait are the small size and robust joint and fin design. The fins are there not just to mimic the profile of a small bluegill/sunfish but also add extra surface area to maximize that glide chop	8
Design (Ergonomics)	Easy to cast but does take a little finesse to deliver the optimal action and draw. This is a smaller bait and needs to be handled as such. A straight chuck and wind retrieve isn't the best way to fish this bait, and using reels with too high speeds can cause it to be overworked	8
Application	The Gracely Baits Finesse Gill is a gateway swimbait and well suited for both those entering the swimbait game as well as seasoned anglers looking for a smaller bait to add to their arsenal. It is small enough to have at all times and great for finessing bites from stubborn fish. The fact that it can be fished with a conventional setup speaks to the bait's versatility	9
Total Score		8.41
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
+ Something different, while most builders are going bigger TGB offers a finesse alternative	- Does take a little finesse to fish. It is a smaller bait and should be fished as such
+ Easy to throw on conventional setups and will not do a number on your arms and shoulders	- No mechanical connection to the tail and can come out after viscous strikes. The good news is TGB has replacements available
+ Draws interest and strikes when worked right with a chop style glide
+ Can deliver numbers and quality
+ Many patterns available and some really cool collab patterns with top notch painters
+ Fun to fish and build confidence on. Watch out this is a gateway swimbait and the addiction is real
+ Small doesn't always mean cheaper but $100 is a reasonable price for garage built custom of this quality

Conclusion: In the realm of swimbaits, there's a prevailing trend towards pushing the limits with larger, more imposing designs. Amidst this trend, Kyle Gracely has carved out a unique niche by focusing on the often-overlooked realm of smaller finesse swimbaits. While other custom manufacturers are beginning to cater to this growing finesse movement, Gracely Baits' Finesse Gill remains a true original in this segment, with the Shat once again pushing the game forward.

The full sized gill that Kyle previewed at Toxic Day 4 is on the way. Until these larger baits are here Kyle continues to encourage anglers to give finesse swimbaits a chance

Kyle frequently refers to these baits as "gateway" lures within the swimbait community, and in many ways, he's spot on. These smaller baits do require a bit of finesse to unleash their full potential, yet they're far less intimidating to cast and are more budget-friendly. Anglers don't need to invest in specialized swimbait gear to wield Gracely Baits - they're compatible with conventional setups you likely already own. Moreover, they prove themselves as formidable catchers, drawing strikes from fish of all sizes while still capable of enticing the occasional monster to eat.

After chatting with Kyle, I discovered that he recently transitioned into full-time bait building, dedicating himself to honing his craft and introducing new lure designs. Continuously pushing forward, he's unveiled prototypes of larger baits and deep divers, and is the process of designing new wakes and swimmers. As he continues to develop new lures and collaborate with some of the best painters in the industry the popularity and demand for smaller custom baits has grown significantly

Once you dial in your setup and bump retrieve cadence the TCB Finesse Gills are not only deadly but an absolute blast to fish. They generate a lot of bites and can still yield quality when bass are hungry for an easy takedown

For swimbait enthusiasts, it only takes one strike to ignite an addiction - a gateway drug, indeed. Nowadays, anglers are diversifying their arsenals with baits spanning the size spectrum. Early on when Kyle started cranking out his first baits he asked anglers to give finesse swimbaits a chance. Fast forward a few seasons and anglers are asking for the opportunity to get in on one of his drops.

The finesse swimbait movement is gaining momentum, and anglers are here for it.

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