Strike Pro Classic Shad 55
Specifications |
Type |
Crankbait |
Class |
Floating |
Diving Depth |
3 -
5' |
Colors/Patterns |
10
available |
Size |
2
3/16" (3/8oz) |
Hook
sizes |
#6 |
Color tested |
Mean
White |
Price |
$9.99 |
About Strike Pro: When it comes to tournament
grade lures many of you might not know the name Strike Pro, but that's all about
to change,
because this brand that will become more and more popular over the coming year,
especially in the bass circuit. Strike Pro was found in 1973 and has been
in the OEM business for many years selling their high quality lures mainly in
the Japanese market, many of which you might already be fishing with, but
labeled under another brand. The company's goal is to produce lures that are
of the
highest quality. With a huge selection of 485 models
with over 4000 different colors, Strike Pro is continuing to gain brand recognition,
and at the same time producing new lures that will hook fish.

Introducing the Strike Pro Classic
Shad 55 with 8 beautiful coats of paint
Impressions: When Kevin Twu, the President
of Strike Pro USA told me they manufacture only premium high-profile lures, he
wasn't kidding. Upon first inspection of the Classic Shad crankbait the
reflective patterns caught my attention immediately. What gives this lure
its superior appearance is the refined process Strike Pro incorporates
during each and every lure they hand craft. It begins by meticulously choosing
quality materials, then a team of specialists morph the raw materials
into the final product. The attractive coating comes from 8 layers of
high-grade paint, then is finished off by hand painting specific patterns before a
protective layer is applied. To top it off the Classic Shad 55 receives a red 3-D
living eye, bleeding gills, concave indentation on the lip, rattling system, and very sharp #6 VMC hooks.
I wasn't the only one that was amazed by the
craftsmanship of the Strike Pro Classic Shad. The entire TackleTour staff, and
many other Pros out there agreed that this lure is definitely of a higher class.
John Kerr, recent winner of the 2003 US Open at Lake Mead, uses this crankbait
to land countless huge bass and is a true believer in lures made by Strike Pro.
Complete Rig
for Classic Shad 55 |
Rod |
St.
Croix Avid Crankbait |
Reel |
Quantum Energy PT (E650PT) |
Line |
12
lb. Sufix Superior |
Field Tests: Generally crankbaits are great fish locators as they cover a large
portion of water. But there are times where
the effectiveness of a good crankbait comes down to much more than that. The Classic Shad 55 in the Mean White color was tested in the California
Delta and a few other reservoirs for largemouth bass.
Casting: The Strike Pro Classic Shad is a delight to cast.
It has a nice profile and weight distribution that allows accurate casts to the
desired target zone. When not being tossed around cover, the crankbait's
aerodynamic shape goes the distance in open water, allowing the lure to dive to
its optimal depth when being retrieved.

Bright red eyes and bleeding gills
offer an attractive easy meal for any fish
Retrieving: This is probably considered one of the most important
categories for a crankbait. When retrieved, how does the Classic Shad run?
How deep does it dive? How fast should the crankbait be retrieved?
First let's look at how the Classic Shad 55 runs
and what kind of actions it produces. While conducting both lab tests and fishing on the water, the way the Strike Pro crankbait ran
and its actions were noted. Straight out of the package the Classic Shad
runs true, straight and directly where you want it to go. The actions are
very good on this lure and I found that retrieving the lure at a slow to medium
speed is the best in producing the right action that attracted fish to strike. While retrieving the
actual action came in the forms of tight wobbles,
reflective appearance, and also a loud rattle similar to what you hear from a
Rat-L-Trap but with a unique clicking sound produced by the Classic Shad's
rattling chamber.

The reflective coatings have a
different color and shade as light hits the Classic Shad at various angles and
is definitely an eye-catcher underwater
When targeting fish with a crankbait, it's
important to use the right lure that properly arrives at the strike zone. Knowing where
the fish are holding will determine what type of lure to use. The Classic
Shad 55 dives 3 to 5 feet, depending on your cast, line, and retrieve speed.
Once retrieved this lure begins to dive, and I noticed during the field tests
that if you crank slower at the beginning the Classic Shad will dive deeper and
faster. Once it reaches the desired depth you can vary your retrieve speed and work the lure to entice strikes from bass. While
at the Delta hunting for fish at the edge of weeds and tules, the Classic Shad
was perfect, especially during low tide where it forced the fish to the outer
rim. The shallow diving Classic Shad crankbait runs at a good depth for
this type of fishing, and with the actions it produces resulted in landing many
fish being called out from the weeds. But when fishing in open waters with
rock piles, I wish Strike Pro would make the same lure but in a deep diving
package.
Durability: Strike Pro does everything to ensure anglers get the best
design, finish, hooks with their lure. As described above, the Classic Shad has
8 coats of paint bonded together to prolong service life. After a few days fishing with the Strike Pro Classic Shad 55 the crankbait body
nor outer paint took on any damage. The fine-looking appearance remains as
good as new.

A healthy looking Delta bass
couldn't resist the tempting actions of the Classic Shad when it called the fish
out of the tules
The use of VMC hooks get two thumbs up. Run
them over your thumbnail and you'll discover how sharp they are. Be very
careful when handling the Strike Pro Classic Shad because those hooks are meant
for the fish, not for snagging anglers.
Price and Quality: Indeed the Strike Pro
Classic Shad 55 is well constructed. It uses the highest performing
components, high-grade paint, and has a design that runs true and is a sure
catcher of largemouth bass. Exceptional quality lures always spell out a
premium price, but Strike Pro manufactures lures at an equal or superior
craftsmanship and cost lower than many other branded Japanese lure manufacturers.