Super User HoosierHawgs Posted December 25, 2015 Super User Posted December 25, 2015 Merry Christmas! I am sitting here looking at the TW 25 days of Christmas sale (got a couple of gift cards to spend ) and am seeing that all Berkley softbaits are heavily discounted. I have been interested in trying the Keitech Swing Impacts, but they are more expensive and I have heard that they are not very durable. While you obviously can not put a price on what catches fish, I do have a budget, and enjoy to get more value for my dollar. I am not asking if one is better than the other, but what I am wondering is what the differences there are between the Berkley Havoc Beat Shad, the Berkley Powerbait Rib Shads, and the Keitech Swing Impact and Impact Fats? Has anyone used both? Any help is appreciated. I would be fishing these primarily on a 1/8 to 5/16 ounce swimbait head with an open hook. Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted December 25, 2015 Global Moderator Posted December 25, 2015 The Beat Shad is not a good stand alone bait but it's a good trailer. Haven't tried the Rib Shad but I think it would be a better option. 1 Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted December 25, 2015 Author Super User Posted December 25, 2015 4 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said: The Beat Shad is not a good stand alone bait but it's a good trailer. Haven't tried the Rib Shad but I think it would be a better option. What is it that you did not like about the Beat Shad? How would it compare to a normal (non-fat ) Swing Impact? Quote
Super User iabass8 Posted December 25, 2015 Super User Posted December 25, 2015 The beat shad was probably one of the worst swimbaits ive ever used. The smaller ripple shada are good baits so i would assume the larger ribbed shads are just as good by themselves. Hard to beat a keitech for fishing slow though. Nothing really compares. 1 Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted December 25, 2015 Author Super User Posted December 25, 2015 8 minutes ago, iabass8 said: The beat shad was probably one of the worst swimbaits ive ever used. The smaller ripple shada are good baits so i would assume the larger ribbed shads are just as good by themselves. Hard to beat a keitech for fishing slow though. Nothing really compares. 2 votes against Beat Shad. Darn, must be a lousy bait. Quote
Jon G Posted December 25, 2015 Posted December 25, 2015 Yup the beat shad was hands down the worst bait I've ever used. I know Keitechs are pricey but they are worth every penny. If you really are trying to save money why don't you pick up a bottle of mend-it? 1 Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted December 25, 2015 Author Super User Posted December 25, 2015 32 minutes ago, Jon G said: Yup the beat shad was hands down the worst bait I've ever used. I know Keitechs are pricey but they are worth every penny. If you really are trying to save money why don't you pick up a bottle of mend-it? I may just try both. I was just really hopeful for the Beat Shad as Berkley has never failed me before. I've heard so many good things about other Havoc baits I never would have thought that this one would be a dud. Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted December 25, 2015 Global Moderator Posted December 25, 2015 2 hours ago, HoosierHawgs said: What is it that you did not like about the Beat Shad? How would it compare to a normal (non-fat ) Swing Impact? It doesn't swim well at slow speeds, they rip the tails off easily, it really doesn't do much. I love the Havoc baits, but I wouldn't suggest the Beat Shad at all. 1 Quote
Super User fishballer06 Posted December 25, 2015 Super User Posted December 25, 2015 The Havoc grass pig is your best bet from from Berkley. But in the end, you're better buying Keitech. Quote
FloridaFishinFool Posted December 26, 2015 Posted December 26, 2015 Try all of them! I like Berkley because they are reasonably priced, and found in most Walmarts. Another reason to love Berkley is their scents. No one else specializes in scents like Berkley and this is an added bonus for their products. I do however use more than just Berkley, I also use zoom swimming super fluke jr's and do very well them! And calcutta flashfoil swimbaits too. Just yesterday I caught a nice size bass in central Florida while speck fishing with 2 inch Berkley swimbaits that the specks were tearing up. Kind of surprised me to catch such a nice bass on the smallest of Berkely swimbaits seen hanging out of this bass' mouth... 1 Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted December 26, 2015 Author Super User Posted December 26, 2015 12 minutes ago, FloridaFishinFool said: Try all of them! I like Berkley because they are reasonably priced, and found in most Walmarts. Another reason to love Berkley is their scents. No one else specializes in scents like Berkley and this is an added bonus for their products. I do however use more than just Berkley, I also use zoom swimming super fluke jr's and do very well them! And calcutta flashfoil swimbaits too. Just yesterday I caught a nice size bass in central Florida while speck fishing with 2 inch Berkley swimbaits that the specks were tearing up. Kind of surprised me to catch such a nice bass on the smallest of Berkely swimbaits seen hanging out of this bass' mouth... Nice fish! 1 Quote
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