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Looking
Lively! Live Target's Threadfin Shad Swimbait
(continued)
  I
had a lot of bites while throwing this bait using two main retrieves. The first
was simply to cast it out and slow-roll it back in just like a spinnerbait. The
second one that worked well was to let it hit bottom then reel it slowly so it
would tick along the bottom at least intermittently. Both retrieves benefited
from an occasional speed change, rod tip direction change, and/or quick
pop/twitch. Although I was catching fish in deeper water, upon experimenting I
also found a really cool retrieve was to reel it with the tip high so it
bulged/waked just under the surface.
Each bait features a precise internal weighting system hidden from view inside
the body.
I was pretty
content with the hookup ratio with the single wide-gap stock hook. Fish that
actually ate the bait solidly got pinned and most stayed that way, but a couple
did come off mid-fight. I'll chalk that up to those fish likely being
skin-hooked in the outer mouth.
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Performance Ratings for
Live Target Threadfin Shad Swimbait |
|
Castability(15) |
Ease of Actuation(15) |
Quality of Movement(15) |
Position at Rest(15) |
Durability(15) |
Total |
Possible |
Rating (= Tot/Pos *10) |
|
4 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
17 |
25 |
6.8 |
It looks fishy whatever the viewpoint!
Features:
The
stock hook felt sharp out of the package, and there's a spot on the belly for
attaching a split ring and stinger hook or blade if desired. There's no spare
parts included, nor is there any mention of any infused scent. One cool feature
not yet mentioned is the dorsal fin design. It protrudes up from the back of the
bait just enough to provide a bit of extra protection for the hook point.
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Features Ratings for Live
Target Threadfin Shad Swimbait |
|
Rigging Aids (13) |
Spare Parts (13) |
Hooks (13) |
Color Enhancement (13) |
Scent (13) |
Colors/
Patterns(13) |
Total |
Possible |
Rating (= Tot/Pos *10) |
|
3 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
12 |
18 |
6.66 |
Scoping out the top side.
Design and
Ergonomics:
There's a high
amount of realism here, with both 3-1/2 inch and 4-1/2 inch sizes available. The
bait's one-ounce weight is about what I expected from an offering of this size
and allows it to be thrown a long distance and on tackle that's not too heavy.
Since I only had a single bait for testing, I can't speak of the bait-to-bait
consistency.
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Design and Ergonomics
Ratings for Live Target Threadfin Shad Swimbait |
|
Bait to Bait
Consistency(15) |
Weight (15) |
Realism(15) |
Available Sizes
(13) |
Total |
Possible |
Rating
(= Tot/Pos *10) |
|
N/A |
5 |
4 |
2 |
11 |
13 |
8.46 |
The underside is colored simply and sports some detailing.
Application:
On a
steady retrieve this bait produced some very pleasing results for me. It can
handle a more erratic retrieve, but based on the action I think a consistent
slow or medium retrieve is best. It can certainly work shallower or deeper, but
I mainly fished it in depths of, say, 410 feet. I was able to pull it through
some sparse grass without any trouble and bumped it into some larger underwater
objects without getting hung up.
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Application Ratings for
Live Target Threadfin Shad Swimbait |
|
Steady Retrieve (13) |
Topwater (13) |
Deadstick (13) |
Ripping Retrieve (13) |
Erratic Retrieve(13) |
Total |
Possible |
Rating (= Tot/Pos *10) |
|
3 |
N/A |
1 |
2 |
2 |
8 |
12 |
6.66 |
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):
|
Live
Target
Threadfin
Shad
Swimbait
Ratings
(?/10)
|
|
Construction/Quality |
Pleasingly
assembled
and
finished
except
for a
blob of
glue/epoxy
on the
hook's
barb. |
7.6 |
|
Performance |
The bait
casts
well and
has a
realistic
swimming
action
that
catches
fish. |
6.8 |
|
Price |
At about
ten
bucks or
less
depending
on size,
it's a
good
price
considering
the
bait's
quality. |
7.0 |
|
Features |
No spare
parts
are
included
and two
colors
are
available |
6.66 |
|
Design
(Ergonomics) |
Good
realism
and
weighting
appropriate
for its
size. |
8.46 |
|
Application |
Subsurface
fishing
and gets
results
on a
consistent
retrieval.
I think
it will
be
dynamite
in
saltwater,
too. |
6.66 |
|
Total
Score
|
7.19 |
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
|
|
+
Attractive
finish |
- Finish
doesn't
seem
super
durable |
|
+
Lifelike
shape |
|
|
+
Unique,
realistic
action |
|
|
+ Easy
to fish
and
catch
fish
with |
|
This bass REALLY
liked the Live
Target swimbait!
Conclusion:
Although testing is over with, I'm still throwing the Live Target Threadfin Shad
Swimbait and still getting plenty of results on it. This bait will certainly
entice some trophy bites, but its size also makes it a great choice for
attracting more average sized quarry. The price is right, specialized tackle
isn't needed to cast and fish it, and it catches lots of fish. If you're looking
to start throwing swimbaits or simply want to add another to your existing
arsenal, this one is a winner!
Looking for the entire collection of
Live Target Swimbaits?
Try
Tackle Warehouse
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