Defiant 247 and 210 swimbait reviews

Lure Review

The Defiant 247 and 210 Swimbaits – A One Two Knockout (continued)

While the Defiant swimbaits draw a similar number of follows and strikes as other competing baits in the same class where they stand out is in the flexibility of hook configuration, and the ability to easily customize the lures to match your desired retrieve. The integrated dual channel system makes it easy to thread the baits for either top or bottom hook configuration. I preferred the standard top took configuration with the moderate sink for most applications, and found the best for extremely slow presentations where bottom contact is more likely.

Like all swimbaits you need to put in the time to catch fish on these big baits, but one of the best things about the Defiant baits is that they convert more strikes into landed fish

The only time that I rigged the Defiant swimbaits with a bottom hook was when fishing the slow sink version closer to the surface, and when contact with vegetation or hard structure was unlikely in the mid to upper water column zones. This is a good option when the fish are willing to chase and you want to burn the Defiant, or want to more aggressively vary your retrieve speeds.

While fishing the Defiant swimbaits I observed strike ratios similar to other competing lures but where they separate themselves from the pack is in two areas, their ability to keep fish pinned and excellent durability.

The line through design of the baits helps keep fish hooked as the baits slide up the line during the battle, eliminating the ability of the fish to use the mass of the bait as leverage to throw the Defiant during head-shakes. I’ll admit I never quite get used to seeing the bait flailing up the line as fish shake, and for a split second it always looks like the fish have come loose, until you feel that reassuring tug at the end of the line.

Always funny what the GoPro captures. I was so excited to catch this fish that I fell down and nearly rolled out of the boat upon landing

Another benefit of the bait’s design is the pre-rigged trailer hook that helps convert short strikes. Most of the fish I caught were hooked on the primary hook, but I did catch a few fish right on the lip with the trailing hook. These fish that were likely testing the bait and would not have been caught without the second hook. While it is certainly possible for anglers to add a trailer hook to any bait the fact that Defiant bundles the hook out of the package makes it easy to start fishing the bait effectively right out of the box.

I like to fish the Defiant with braided line and a fluorocarbon leader

Price & Applications: The Defiant 247 and 210 are very good soft bodied swimbaits, and not only are they effective but they also hold up very well over time. Unlike many competing baits that tear, or have their finishes looking tattered just after a few strikes, the Defiant baits can take a lot of abuse. I even found that the small protruding fins on the baits stayed intact over time, which is a testament to the toughness of the bait’s soft yet robust plastic composition. The durability of these baits makes them applicable for bass, stripers, and even some toothier species if you are willing to use a braided line or wire leader.

The light and dark trout patterns are a staple and are sure to be the most popular patterns

The biggest reason to not go out and simply load up on a bunch of these baits is their sheer cost, with the Defiant 247 retailing for $100 each, and the smaller 210 retailing for $60 dollars, they are priced on the high- end of the soft bodied swimbait spectrum. Price considered they are still absolutely worth the money when you consider the details in design, and excellent durability.

Between the two sizes I was able to catch more fish on the smaller 210 size, but I did catch more quality fish on the larger 247. Having one or two of each in your arsenal provides the one-two knockout flexibility to match what fish in your local lake are preying on, and if your favorite body of water is home to stocked or resident trout these baits can be downright deadly.

With a belly full of trout this fish still wanted more

Ratings: (We've re-calibrated our ratings standard for 2008 and have included a key at the bottom of the following matrix as a guide):

Defiant 247 (210) Swimbaits Ratings (?/10)
Construction/Quality	The longer you fish the bait the more you will appreciate just how well designed and well built these lures are. They hold up very well over time	8.5
Performance	They draw a similar number of strikes as other competing baits but they do a better job than many when it comes to converting strikes to landed fish	9
Price	A premium bait with a premium price to match. Though each bait is a serious investment they are worth the money	6.5
Features	Delivering the nostalgia and quality of classic big soft body swimbait design with new features like dual line-through design, stinger hook, and durable 3D fins	8.5
Design (Ergonomics)	The 247 is every bit the classic big bait while the 210 is a lot easier to cast all day. Having both provides a one-two punch to deliver the bait that fish are looking for. The line-through design is easy to use and effective	8
Application	Great for bass, stripers, and the durability of the lure makes it hold up to other species as well. The various sink rate and size options make this an effective pairing for a wide range of applications	8
Total Score		8.08
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
+ Great design with the ability to rig the top or bottom easily	- Each bait is a serious investment
+ Wedge tail design delivers consistent subtle wagging action	- Limited availability. Hard to find some of the patterns
+ Great finishes with 3D features
+ Line through design keeps fish pinned. Bundled pre-rigged stinger hook is a nice bonus
+ Excellent durability

The Defiant 247 and 210 swimbaits deliver the features, performance, and durability you expect from a premium soft bodied big baits

Conclusion: Even though the Defiant swimbaits have some exciting features in many ways they simply improve on what made full sized soft bodied swimbaits so popular to begin with. These baits deliver the premium features and quality that you expect from a custom made lure, and are available in a range of patterns that mimic prey and inspire confidence, and though it may look the most basic don’t make the same mistake I did and “sleep on the white” pearl pattern. Though they are big investments both the Defiant 247 and 210 Series swimbaits deliver strikes, keep fish pinned, and also hold up surprisingly well over time, all of which add up to make them the first products to be awarded Editor’s Choice Awards in 2020.

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