Keitech Knock-Off Review

[Heron]

Received a knock off of a Keitech FAT swing action, in a 4.7 size.  It was the Bass Assassin brand.

 

Took it to the pond to see how it compares with the Keitechs of the same design.  Now as a disclaimer, the only Keitech FATs that I use are in the 3.8 size, and that is the only comparison Im able to make.  So hopefully comparing a 3.8 of one brand, with a 4.7 of another brand, isnt too many apples to too many oranges.

 

That being said....Upon first glance, I noticed the cross section of the bodys were different.  The Keitech, as best I could tell, had a completely round cross-section.  While the Bass Assassin, was more flat sided.  Not by much though.  The Keitech's overall body proportion was fatter than the Bass Assassin.  

 

In the water...The Bass Assassin exhibited a range of motion that was probably equal to that of the Keitech. However, it didnt have as good of slow-speed action as the Keitech.  When slowing the retrieve down, I observed the bait eventually stop kicking, and just drag through the water.  Not really a big deal, but the Keitech didnt seem to do this at all.   

 

Again, I was comparing two different sizes, so that may make this whole thing a moot point.   Need to compare it with the 4.8 Keitechs. 

[F14A-B]

Was your comparison, side by side? In what water/ air temp.?

Just curious....

[Heron]

Was your comparison, side by side? In what water/ air temp.?

Just curious....

Yeah pretty much.  Air temp was about 42F, not sure what the water temp was. 

[primetime]

I use the Kalin's Sizmic shad and BPS Speed shad instead of the Keitech's now and I find that they are just as effective as the Keitechs and also more durable especially in the smaller 3.8" size, The larger 4.8" baits are completely different as the Kalin's is much fatter with a quick taper and gives off a ton of thump where the Speed shad is much slimmer and more of a finesse version but still has a nice aggressive swimming action.

 

My only complaint is with the larger kalin's swimbaits as they seem to lose a few too many tails while fishing but they cast a mile and are a good bait for covering water and looking for larger fish. I find soaking them in scent increases strikes and hook up ratio, I use a mix of Megastrike with the Yum F2 or Powerbait and mix em all together. I have also been experimenting with the Pro-Cure UV gel and when the fish want something bright, they really seem to want something bright. When they don't, they won't go near it, and I have been surprised how well it can work in clear water at times. 

 

I was curious about the Bass Assassin version, I like a few of their baits especially the 4" Turbo shads for when you want something subtle or a trailer without too much bulk.

[Heron]

Im sure this bass assassin version will catch fish just fine.  But I guess, after using the keitechs for a long enough time, Ive become accustomed to their action....or rather, spoiled perhaps. 

[gobig]

They are not the same. The guy who chucks and winds will not notice much difference. 

[Heron]

They are not the same. The guy who chucks and winds will not notice much difference. 

Agreed

[Heron]

Next, I will compare it to the Kicker Fish brand knock-off, to see if thats any better.

[webertime]

Kicker Fish are the closest to the S.I.F. that I have found.  Very very similar bait, just a bit firmer and no squidiness.

[cyclops2]

I find SIZE of the lure always determines minimum good action speed.  My 1.5 " floater wiggle like crazy compared to the 13" perch floater minimum speed.

 

I do knot tune lures for 10 mph retrieves.

[gobig]

I find SIZE of the lure always determines minimum good action speed.  My 1.5 " floater wiggle like crazy compared to the 13" perch floater minimum speed.

 

 

 

There are other factors than size determining  the speed a bait can be worked at. To prove my point look at a BBZ 1 swimbait. 3 different sink rates that are all the same size with completely different capabilities. Its more about refinement and quality control. There are companies out there that mass produce never testing the baits they sell and there are others that test each bait before sale. 

 

I do knot tune lures for 10 mph retrieves.

 

 

 

No albacore for you!

[primetime]

I was lucky to pick up a few cases (roughly 10,000 baits)  of the Keitech Knock Offs from the Factory Direct in Bulk and I would say the Kicker Fish are the closest to the Keitechs and are also priced the best. The BPS speed Shad and Kalins are more expensive than the keitechs, and they do not come in as many sizes or colors as Keitech offers. The Squid scent and texture of the Keitech is unmatched, and I find that the Keitechs are the best if you like to fish a swimbait by letting it fall to the bottom and then feathering it like a tube or or bouncing it slowly along on a standup jig head with long pauses as it is more flexible than all the USA made baits which all mainly come from the same two OEM's so they  are all quite similar. 

 

The speed shad comes in 3"and is a nice bait, like mentioned, if you are going to just chuck and wind, the only difference I have found is size and shape as far as how fast or slow you can reel them with the tail still kicking. I like to use these baits as trailers on swim Jigs and Chatterbait style jigs and if I use the Kalins I miss way too many fish as the jig swings far to the left and right which is good for active fish but be prepared to miss alot of fish, however it is a good way to get followers or find fish to then throw a follow up bait.

 

The Keitechs are actually being sold at my Local Dicks for $4.99 a pack, so why pay $8 for Kalins or BPS or any other brand when you can get the real thing? If you are going to buy them retail I would say the Kicker fish is priced the best and they package them well as are all of the USA brands which I believe come in Clam shell packaging but around here all the wholesale companies have boxes of them in Kicker Fish, Kalin's, BPS, and a few more brands super cheap and are all effective, but I still buy some Keitechs for colors and because I can buy them in smaller sizes and they have a few styles so because of options they are in my bag, but honestly, no matter how you fish them, other than color and scent, I see zero difference in how they catch fish, all produce no matter how you fish them....

 

I like to fish swimbait on a slip shot rig or mojo style rig with a longer leader in grass, almost a C-rig without all the hardware and noise, and I lip hook them with a weedless gamakatsu split shot hook and I find that is the best way to fish them for action, or on a swing jig just sitting in the current barely moved, and slow or fast, they are all good. Color is main difference. Soft baits only work as good as the person throwing them, casting accuracy, correct weight, line type and diameter, rod etc...so many factors, but I can say all are good, just offered in different patterns and sizes and tapers, but from same presses.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

They are not the same. The guy who chucks and winds will not notice much difference. 

Ya, it's the super easy tail action of the Keitech that got my attention. Anything else is just a grub, which by the way catches as them too if they're chewing. 

[Weld's Largemouth]

I use the Kalin's Sizmic shad and BPS Speed shad instead of the Keitech's now and I find that they are just as effective as the Keitechs and also more durable especially in the smaller 3.8" size, The larger 4.8" baits are completely different as the Kalin's is much fatter with a quick taper and gives off a ton of thump where the Speed shad is much slimmer and more of a finesse version but still has a nice aggressive swimming action.

 

My only complaint is with the larger kalin's swimbaits as they seem to lose a few too many tails while fishing but they cast a mile and are a good bait for covering water and looking for larger fish. I find soaking them in scent increases strikes and hook up ratio, I use a mix of Megastrike with the Yum F2 or Powerbait and mix em all together. I have also been experimenting with the Pro-Cure UV gel and when the fish want something bright, they really seem to want something bright. When they don't, they won't go near it, and I have been surprised how well it can work in clear water at times. 

 

I was curious about the Bass Assassin version, I like a few of their baits especially the 4" Turbo shads for when you want something subtle or a trailer without too much bulk.

Love those sizmic shads! Sent you a pm!

[primetime]

The Keitechs are great and best part is they are less expensive than any of the knock offs, but I don't call any bait a knock off anymore. I was just on Bass Archives and I think it was Rebel back in the 60's but they had a chatterbait, no other way to view it, but they didn't get a patent so Zman goes around suing everybody.

 

If I remember correctly Lunker City had the Ribster before the Keitechs and Stanley had the Ring worm style in the sidewinder which is all spin offs from one another.

 

I think the Squid scent, color, and sizes, as well as the subtle movement the Keitechs have when rigged on a smaller hook while at rest which makes them seem to be better when fishing conditions where you need to work every inch of water and also cover all depths...

 

The Speed shad and Sizmic shad if you are chucking and winding will actually work differently since the Kalin's version is completely different than Kicker Fish and BPS and I have used hundreds of each model. I still buy Keitechs for the smaller sizes but nothing is better in my humble opinion than the Kalins 3.8" Bluegill flash, and larger 4.8" speed shad. The larger Kalins bait is a HUGE swimbait and more like tossing a Big Hammer only much thicker and if fish are not aggressive they are not effective usually, lots of short strikes, and fish have a hard time getting a bead on it since it swims all over the place. However, rarely will you land a fish smaller than 2-3lbs as it is more like a 6" fat bait compared to the others.  The other bait I love is the BPS swim Sally, I will take that texture over the Reaction Innovation any day, Charlie's shares the same bait as well, they are my new favorite swimbaits behind the GYB swimbait and Swim senko

[Choporoz]

http://www.keitechusa.com/catalog/action-video.php?id=GiIa4vZTQh4

 

I don't know about the bass, but after I first saw this video, I was chasing these and haven't looked back.  The action on even the tiniest hops had me hooked.

     I haven't caught a lot of big fish on them, but they were getting bit this fall when nothing else was.  I do wish they were a little more durable, but for now, I accept that any changes to make them last longer would affect the action.

[kickerfish1]

I have boxes of Keitech and a handful of knockoffs. The Keitechs flat out produce better. Love em rage rigged or as a swim jig trailer. One of my favorite baits for the above purposes as well as a favorite manufacturer.

[Bluebasser86]

I wish I could find a cheaper alternative, so far no luck. I put them on a 1/4oz mushroom head and stroke them across gravel/rock points and any walleye, smallmouth, or white bass around will let me know pretty shortly.