Strike King Rocket Shads

[scaleface]

I did a search on this lure and came up empty. I know some of you have to use this lure. Maybe its a well kept secret. I think they are great tools. When they first came out I knew they would work well for me. I have a small utility box stuffed with these mighty mites because they catch fish. My two favorite places to use them are on rivers and deep water points. I like to cast them upstream along riprap in fast current and burn them back. Largemouths, smallmouths, whites and hybrids will rush out of their hiding places and annihilate it. On the deep points I either hop it like a worm or reel it in a few revolutions and let it drop. They are so versatile that It surprises me that more is not said about them.

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[MCS]

I like it, actually l think my son would LOVE it. I will look into these, you know any retailers that sell them offhand? I think Walmart carries some of the older and generic SK stuff. good thread, thanks for that.

[scaleface]

There are two problems with this bait. The skirt falls apart easily and I have yet to figured out a suitable replacement . Then the hook will come off during a fight . I have added small rubber o-rings or a small split ring on the shank to keep the hook on.

I would love to see a small spinnerbait , that heavy with a regular single hook made.

[papajoe222]

There are two problems with this bait. The skirt falls apart easily and I have yet to figured out a suitable replacement . Then the hook will come off during a fight . I have added small rubber o-rings or a small split ring on the shank to keep the hook on.

I would love to see a small spinnerbait , that heavy with a regular single hook made.

I've had the same problems and decided to go with a small spinnerbait with a hook weight crimped onto the shaft. It gives me the small profile and heavier weight of a RocketShad and holds up better. Another advantage is you can trim the skirt short for a smaller profile, or leave it a little longer for slow rolling it down deep.

The only advantage that I see with the RocketShad is when you rip it up off the bottom and let it flutter back down. A regular spinnerbait, even a single spin, doesn't have that same triggering flash. I've gone to a Strike King RedEye Shad for that type of presentation.

[needmoresmallies]

Ive caught a ton of fish on these things.I use them mainly in early march (ohio) and just this time of year where the shad start dying off and heading to the creeks...these baits are must haves get 1/4 and 3/8 to aquire just the right depth u want. Only downfall is like others have said about strands and skirts falling off...when this happened to mine i ripped the whole thing off of the bait painted the bare hook all white....and i truely believe i started catching more fish!

[RyneB]

i have 2 that i bought when they first came out. They are currently in my pile of baits i dont use anymore. Mainly because they were my white bass bait when i fish the Illinois River. Now that the asian carp have all but demolished the white bass fishing, i can say i havent used them in 4 years.

[WRB]

The original Rebel Rocket Shad was a tail spinner similar to Mann's Little Goerge that were on the market about the same time. The Strike King Rocket Shad is a single spin spinner bait with a light wire frog style double hook, the skirt is tied on. The hook that comes with is a poor quality hook and can be replaced with a split ring and treble hook or a light wire open double hook like 303 Gamakatsu. Super glue the skitt wrap before fishing.

Tom

[iceintheveins]

They do catch fish for sure, not as many as regular spinnerbaits for me though.

[scaleface]

I have a spinnerbait mold that hasnt been used for twenty years. This winter Im going to make my own version .

[deep]

I used to throw these almost exclusively at one time. Caught a bunch of big bluegills and crappies along with bass. The stock baits were not very durable IIRC.

[scaleface]

Making spinnerbaits is to much work. My local store has these 1/2 ounce Strike Kings for a buck fifty. I made my own single hook Rocket Shad out of it. Here its pictured next to a 1/2 ounce R.S. before and after the alterations. Its slightly bigger , I think it will work great. Ill use it on my next outing.

[scaleface]

I just went through my box of Rocket Shads to repair the battle worn ones, paint head, add skirt... and found four without hooks.Thats four fish that I lost due to a malfunction I wrapped pieces of wire around the shanks of the rest. Also split rings work when added to the shaft but they have to be small , the wire was easier. Added treble hooks to the hookless ones. These baits get bit but they should have used a traditional hook.

[scaleface]

They do catch fish for sure, not as many as regular spinnerbaits for me though.

They are not designed to be used like regular spinnerbaits. This is probably my most successful lure downstream of dams. When the current is really moving, this lure shines. For schooling fish and deep water they work great. Just working down the bank and casting at shallow targets their are better choices.