Huddleston deluxe weedless shad

[IndianaFinesse]

Has anyone tried the Huddleston deluxe weedless shad swimbait?  It looks great for eight bucks but I was worried about the hooking percentage.

[everythingthatswims]

Hookup ratio is excellent with those baits. They are a lot of fun but they didn't stand out to me, and for that price I didn't purchase any more.

[kickerfish1]

They are actually the only Huddleston baits I have used as I am just not a swimbait guy. I have caught bass and even some really nice walleye on them. They seem to cast pretty well, swim well, and are surpisingly weedless. I would buy a few more especially for the price being about $8

[Jaw1]

I have used them and they catch fish. I would recommend using braid with them, really increased my hookup percentage

[Airman4754]

1 hour ago, Jaw1 said:

I have used them and they catch fish. I would recommend using braid with them, really increased my hookup percentage

Agreed. I run braid with a 17lb fluoro leader. It works through all applications.

[IndianaFinesse]

6 hours ago, everythingthatswims said:

Hookup ratio is excellent with those baits. They are a lot of fun but they didn't stand out to me, and for that price I didn't purchase any more.

What cheaper swimbait do you prefer?

[everythingthatswims]

3 hours ago, IndianaFinesse said:

What cheaper swimbait do you prefer?

I just throw Keitechs. It's a completely different bait so you can't really compare them. My issue with the weedless shad is that it has very little drawing power since it is so subtle so you end up with very small strike zones.

 

While they are great fun and can be effective, the huddleston weedless shad seems to be a novelty more than anything.

[Bluebasser86]

They were a secret for me during tournaments at highly pressured, clear water lakes with weeds in them. Run them through or over vegetation and they're so subtle and realistic that the fish couldn't stand it. That was back when they were 5 or 6 bucks apiece. If you can catch 5-10 fish on one, you're doing pretty good. I've had lots of them destroyed after 1 fish, sometimes even without catching a fish. 

I used a MH rod and 15lb fluoro and never had an issue with hook ups. Braid wasn't an option because of super clear water (10+ feet), on top of the fact it wasn't ever needed.

I've switched to the Optimum BLT (baby line thru), for a more durable and affordable small swimbait option.

An even better one for a little more is a 6" Savage Gear line thru 3D trout. 

[IndianaFinesse]

On ‎4‎/‎27‎/‎2016 at 2:43 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

They were a secret for me during tournaments at highly pressured, clear water lakes with weeds in them. Run them through or over vegetation and they're so subtle and realistic that the fish couldn't stand it. That was back when they were 5 or 6 bucks apiece. If you can catch 5-10 fish on one, you're doing pretty good. I've had lots of them destroyed after 1 fish, sometimes even without catching a fish. 

I don't mind the durability issue much, I am mostly looking for a good swimbait to use in a lake I only fish once a year.  That gravel pit is so far off of the highway that it is never fished and has some of the biggest bass I have seen, as well as the lake that produced my pb.  I have heard a lot of good things about the Huddleston deluxe, but can't afford the 25$ price tag.  So I don't really mind if it only lasts a couple fish, as long as it has a good chance of catching a big one.

[Bluebasser86]

13 minutes ago, IndianaFinesse said:

I don't mind the durability issue much, I am mostly looking for a good swimbait to use in a lake we only fish once a year when I go through Nebraska to visit family.  That gravel pit is so far off of the highway that it is never fished and has some of the biggest bass I have seen, as well as the lake that produced my pb.  I have heard a lot of good things about the Huddleston deluxe, but can't afford the 25$ price tag.  So I don't really mind if it only lasts a couple fish, as long as it has a good chance of catching a big one.

I would look elsewhere for a big fish bait. They're pretty small, a good bait for catching a limit, not so much for big fish. 

[IndianaFinesse]

4 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I would look elsewhere for a big fish bait. They're pretty small, a good bait for catching a limit, not so much for big fish. 

What would you suggest?  I caught my pb off a bed on a bitsy tube, so although I have caught a few big bass I am not exactly an experienced big bass chaser.

[Bluebasser86]

If you want a bait that is easy to throw and won't break the bank I'd look at something like a 6" Savage Gear Line Thru trout or 5" 3D bluegill, both under $20 and very durable for a soft bait. The Optimum Line Thrus aren't quite as realistic but if you're dealing with dumb fish that don't see any pressure you can get them for under $10 and are also pretty durable but the hooks on them aren't very good. They make some good hard swimbaits that are very affordable also. 

[IndianaFinesse]

 

5 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

If you want a bait that is easy to throw and won't break the bank I'd look at something like a 6" Savage Gear Line Thru trout or 5" 3D bluegill, both under $20 and very durable for a soft bait. The Optimum Line Thrus aren't quite as realistic but if you're dealing with dumb fish that don't see any pressure you can get them for under $10 and are also pretty durable but the hooks on them aren't very good. They make some good hard swimbaits that are very affordable also. 

Thank you for all of the help!  Sorry, last question.  Would a medium-heavy rod work for the 3d bluegill?  And someone gave me a basspro z9r perch in bluegill color for Christmas, would it work?

[Bluebasser86]

Just now, IndianaFinesse said:

 

Thank you for all of the help!  Sorry, last question.  Would a medium-heavy rod work for the 3d bluegill?  And someone gave me a basspro z9r perch in bluegill color for Christmas, would it work?

Most M/H rods would handle the line thru trout, but are probably going to be a little light for the bluegill (5" is 2oz). 

I have not fished the BPS bait but @Advantage has and caught some fish with it. 

[TyF]

X2 on the 3D Bluegill. I got mine for Christmas and have caught about 20 bass on the same bait including 2 new PBs this year. It is extremely realistic and pretty durable. I have glued my bait many times from rips and tears but it still works great. I throw mine on a H rod and braid (even though flouro would work too).

[faygo1979]

I love those little swim bait but they I fish them much more finises.  I normaly use a ML rod with light line.  I throw them into holes between Lilly pads or into weeds and let the bait sink,  then slowly reel them back for 5 seconds then let it sink again.  

I would say I fish them in similar places that I would a ribbon tail worm.

[Advantage]

10 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Most M/H rods would handle the line thru trout, but are probably going to be a little light for the bluegill (5" is 2oz). 

I have not fished the BPS bait but @Advantage has and caught some fish with it. 

Only ever caught one fish with it the 1st day I threw it. None since and have since then given it away. Definitely listen to bluebasser86 about the Savage Gear 3D Gill...that bait is the real deal.