Spro Aruku Shad Lipless Crankbait Product Review

Lure Review

Taking a Walk with Spro's Aruku Shad (continued)

Features: The Aruku Shad comes equipped with Gamakatsu hooks right out of the package and is available in all three finish options (solid, ghost, and foil) - although most of the finishes seem to be foil or metallic based. As far as we know, it is only available with the rattle so no silent option as of yet for those who like a more finesse lipless crank.

Features Ratings for Spro Aruku Shad
Hooks (1-3)	Finishes			Sound Options (1-3)	Misc (1-3)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
	Solid (1-2)	"Ghost" (1-2)	Foil (1-2)
3	2	2	2	1	1	11	15	7.33

A look against the sun reveals two rattle chambers.

Design/Ergonomics: I purchased a handful of Aruku Shad 75s in different colors and they've all run true out of the package. With the introduction of the 65 size, the Aruku shad is now available in three different sizes and weights. Realism on this bait is very good as Spro has paid close attention to detailing around the head, the fish's lateral line, and they even to to the trouble of painting swimming side fins on the bait. Lastly, spacing of the two Gamakatsu hooks that come with the bait are very good with no chance of the hooks coming in contact with one another to foul during a cast.

Design & Ergonomics Ratings for Spro Aruku Shad
Bait to Bait Consistency (1-5)	Weight (1-5)	Realism (1-5)	Hook Spacing (1-3)	Total	Possible	Rating (= Tot/Pos * 10)
5	4	5	3	17	18	9.44

A closer look at the intricate detailing on the Aruku Shad's head.

Application: The Aruku Shad is designed to work in open water and even through grass beds. It's head down swimming position aids in this cause yet the bait is equally at home deadsticked with its head down and tail up. This is a very versatile lipless crank.

Each model of the Aruku Shad is made to rest on the bottom just like this mimicking a feeding baitfish.

Ratings:

Spro Aruku Shad Ratings (?/10)
Construction/Quality	This is about as clean and precise as a factory bait gets	9.5
Performance	It does everything you'd want a lipless crank to do	10
Price	Creeping up there, but still very affordable considering the quality of this bait	8.5
Features	Only thing really missing is a silent option	7.33
Design (Ergonomics)	Near perfect here too!	9.44
Application	As versatile a lipless crank as there is - you can even use this to fish beds!	8.0
Total Score		8.88
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
+ High quality bait	- Most color options seem to be the foil/chrome variety - more choices in ghost and solid patterns would be great
+ Stands up on the bottom
+ Good at any speed or cadence of retrieve

The Aruku Shad by Spro wins our coveted Ultimate Enthusiast Award!

Conclusion: The Aruku Shad is not a new bait. It's been out for quite some time and I'm a bit discouraged it's taken me this long to try it. One look at the ease by which this bait stands up on the bottom with its head down and tail up mimicking a feeding baitfish and I knew I had to give this bait an extended test. I'm really glad and enthused that I did. So much so, that the Aruku Shad wins this editor's Ultimate Enthusiast Award!

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