Keitech or Bitters?

[JackstrawIII]

Hey, I fish a lot of paddletails throughout the season and it's getting time to restock for next year. I've been fishing the Keitech Swing Impact FAT exclusively and have no complaints... but I thought I'd look around at what's out there, and I ran across the Naked Swimmer from Bitters, which is about half the price. 

 

I'm willing to pay extra for the best bait. I don't have tons of free time, and want to give myself the best chance to catch fish when I get out... but if the Bitters are just as good, saving money is always nice. 

 

In your experience, is the Bitter's Naked Swimmer equal to the Keitech Swing FAT? 

 

Ps. I also wonder how the "Salty Sling" compares to the Yama Senko and how the BuzzN Gator compares to a Horny Toad, if anyone has thought on that too. Thanks. 

[bowhunter63]

Drastic Plastics River Certified swimmers. Really worth a look 

[Bankc]

Never heard of Bitters, but to me, the Keitech Fat Impact is pretty much interchangeable with both the Strike King Rage Swimmer and BPS Speed Shad.  The Keitechs are a tiny bit softer, but it doesn't seem to effect my catch rate either way.  

 

The Bitters Naked Swimmer looks more like a Cabela's Swim Minnow or a Berkley Powerbait Grass Pig (or any other number of similar swimbaits).  My experience with them is positive, but I haven't done as well as I have the Keitech Fat Impact style swimbaits.

[Choporoz]

I'd need to see them in the water, but based on photos, I agree with @Bankc.  Bitters look like Grass Pigs, not Keitechs. 

 

   I'm not a swimbait specialist,  but I seem to recall a vid somewhere saying that Grass Pig style for when you want more body roll....and S.I./Rage when you want more tail wag.

 

(I haven't gotten in deep enough to know when the fish prefer what)

[river-rat]

 

I've been using Bitter's lures for years and can vouch that you won't find anything better. I have not used the Keitech swimbait but I can't see it being better than Bitter's Naked Swimmer which I have used.

 

I use the Salty Sling instead of the Senko. It holds up better than a Senko and the action is just as good.

 

Really anything you purchase from Bitter's will be first class. And you can't beat the price.

 

 

[Triptych]

I recently bought 5 or 6 different paddle tail types similar to the keitech fat from x-zone, 13 fishing, etc. to replace the ever getting expensive keitech fat swing.The best out of the bunch was the Jackall Rhythm Wave, but I decided there is no replacement for the keitech.

 

I'm going to put the jackall rhythm wave into rotation next year, but will mainly still be using the keitech. I figure if it works then why change it.

[Aaron_H]

It's the same mold as the RI Skinny Dipper, I believe. It doesn't have the same bulkier profile as the Keitech, but the plastics under Bitters label is quality stuff. And nice to support a local guy, never had anything but a positive experience with Bitters.

[webertime]

2 different baits

Keitech is soft and wide action.

Bitters is a skinny dipper clone that is better for burning in shallow water.

[OG Crankster]

EcoPro tungsten swing shad is about as close to a FAT as you will find, for half the price.