What is Different about the Caffeine Shad?

[Rucksack]

This autumn I've really focused on learning the ins and outs of the soft plastic jerkbait. started fishing by fishing Super Fluke, with which I had very little luck. I chalked this up to my inexperience, but the last time I went to the tackle shop I picked up a pack of Caffeine Shads and now I'm regularly catching pretty good sized (3-5 lbs) bass. I'm also better able to skip it under trees and through laydowns. I don't think I changed my retrieve or suddenly became more skilled, so I'm thinking there's something different about the manufacture of the bait. 

 

I kind of assumed soft plastic jerkbaits were interchangeable, but that's clearly not the case. Can somebody walk me through what the difference here is? Maybe suggest other fluke-like baits similar to the Caffeine Shad that I might enjoy? Are there terms I should be looking for? 

[Pat Brown]

There are SO many possibilities as to why this is happening - hard to say.

 

I catch bass fine with both.  Sometimes the faster fall rate of the CS is good sometimes not.  The fluke seems tougher to rig right for what it's worth.  But when it's rigged well - it's a deadly weapon when they want that slow gliding fall.

 

To put it bluntly - fluke when they're feeding more up in the water column - caffeine shad when they want it closer to the bottom.

[rgasr63]

27 minutes ago, Pat Brown said:

There are SO many possibilities as to why this is happening - hard to say.

 

I catch bass fine with both.  Sometimes the faster fall rate of the CS is good sometimes not.  The fluke seems tougher to rig right for what it's worth.  But when it's rigged well - it's a deadly weapon when they want that slow gliding fall.

 

To put it bluntly - fluke when they're feeding more up in the water column - caffeine shad when they want it closer to the bottom.

That's the way I think it is also. The CS or the Fluke are at their best the way That @Pat Brown has stated. YMMV. 

[JHoss]

Drop them both in a tank and watch them fall, then you'll know why. The Caffeine Shad has a shimmy on the fall that Zoom just can't compete with. I stopped carrying Super Flukes after I found the Caffeine Shad.

 

If you're not already using an EWG with a built-in keeper, I'd recommend that to increase your hookup and landing ratios. 

 

They also work great on saltwater species like Speckled Trout, Redfish, and Striped Bass if you're into that sort of thing. 

[Bass Rutten]

The caffeine shad has a higher salt content and therefore heavier, with better action on the fall or after you kill it. The Yamamoto D-Shad is the lovechild of both, a higher salt content/faster sink rate with the fluke size and profile.

[MediumMouthBass]

Caffeine shad has coffee scent, dont know if it works for the bass but it works for me.

 

And hold both in your hand, youll feel instantly why the caffeine shad skips better.

 

I personally dont like the Zoom flukes, they are too light for me. Which is why i like the caffeine shads, they fall faster, and dont rise to the top every jerk.

 

And for recommendations, Yamamoto d shad, Big Bite Baits has a good one, Academys house brand fluke, i like the Berkley Powerbait flukes as a replacement to Zoom (similar shape and size but you can use them in the water), Grandebass Airtail shad.

Then youve got the senko style baits with a fluke like tail.

 

You can also add rattles in some, and nail weights if you need to get down deeper.

Oh and keep the ones that get ripped, cut them down and use whats left for trailers for chatterbaits, jigs, and spinnerbaits.

[casts_by_fly]

I did an exploration of soft jerkbaits last year and picked up a couple

different types. The dshad on an owner light weighted belly hook (per Toxic’s recommendation) is a winner for me. The tail flutters left and right on a pull and then wiggles and shimmies on a slack line fall. 

[woolleyfooley]

Anyone try the 6th sense version of the fluke? The “flush 5.2”?

[TOXIC]

I like the Yamamoto DShad.  Denser, heavier, made with Senko material.  Shimmy’s on the fall.  Never leave home without my DShad box. 

[Rucksack]

Great explanations. Also, you all have sold me. I'm going to have to pick up some D-Shads. I'm a big senko fan.

[softwateronly]

2 hours ago, woolleyfooley said:

Anyone try the 6th sense version of the fluke? The “flush 5.2”?

Yes, more similar to a zoom fluke in action to me with maybe a little more glide.  But the 7" on a free rig got this pig in early summer.  OSP dolive stick has the best shimmy on the fall that I've used, but I need to wait for a sale.

 

scott

 

[Bigbox99]

They wiggle and tail wag on the fall while gliding forward.  Flukes are erratic and spiral.  I like flukes for a fast action and the caffeine shad for and slower presentation.  I'll often use a caffeine shad as a senko substitute since they are so similar but I cover more water with the caffine shad.  The monster java stink they have is just to cover the platisol scent and to give the angler something can easily identify and associate with the bait.  

[woolleyfooley]

21 hours ago, TOXIC said:

I like the Yamamoto DShad.  Denser, heavier, made with Senko material.  Shimmy’s on the fall.  Never leave home without my DShad box. 

Definitely agree with this. The D shad is an amazing bait. Basically a fluke that falls like a senko. Only downside is the durability, but it’s a worthwhile trade off for the action you get.

 

Also very curious how the caffeine shad compares to the D shad. I’ve never tried the caffeine shad, but maybe I’ll pick a few packs up.

[TOXIC]

@woolleyfooley please do and report back what you find out.  

[Koz]

I've heard that caffeine shads are great on a "buzz"bait.

 

IYKYK

[woolleyfooley]

On 11/1/2024 at 9:57 PM, TOXIC said:

@woolleyfooley please do and report back what you find out.  

Will do!

[primetime]

I love zoom flukes for fishing higher in water column and for fishing fast. I love the caffiene shad because it's heavier and has more salt. Gets deeper. I often fish them like a senko. Great saltwater bait. My brother guides up north for Striped bass and he fell in love with the caffiene shad after grabbing a bunch of mine to use. May not be durable but neither is the OG Senko but they are both 2 of the best softbaits I have in my box. 

 

both have a different action but work great when paired on a double fluke rig which is something I will be using much more in freshwater after a saltwater detour. Double fluke rig is a killer. mixing a zoom and strike king works. 

[FryDog62]

LOL great topic - the Caffeine Shad has been my #1 lure for the past decade.  By a ton..!  Smallmouth, Largemouth, Spots, etc… 

 

Biggest differentiating reason over other flukes is the AIR BUBBLE in the tail. You have to rig it on the right hook - but if done correctly, the hook/bubble combination makes it swim horizontal, shimmies, changes direction, spiral dying action.  Twitch it a couple times, rinse and repeat.
 

Again, on the right hook, it’s a killer dock skipping presentation. 
 

Other flukes are nose weighted and just fall head first to the bottom.  You have to almost over-work them too often IMO to get results.

 

The 5 inch Caffeine Shad should be fished on an 4/0 Owner Twistlock LIGHT hook - either weightless or 3/32 oz.
 

The right hook makes all the  difference. 

[Bass Rutten]

Hear ye dropshotters, the smaller 4 inch caffeine shad makes for a tremendous dropshot lure, it's got a very similar tail section as the dreamshot but a thicker body. It's killer rigged weedless which is how I caught my pb.

[FryDog62]

19 hours ago, Bass Rutten said:

Hear ye dropshotters, the smaller 4 inch caffeine shad makes for a tremendous dropshot lure, it's got a very similar tail section as the dreamshot but a thicker body. It's killer rigged weedless which is how I caught my pb.

The 4 inch works well on a Hover Rig when strolling in deeper water too… the salt content keeps it down, and the air in the tail keeps it horizontal and tracking..

[MediumMouthBass]

Let us not forget how good the 5" Caffeine Shad on a Chatterbait, along with the 4" paired with a Mini Max are. Just a thought, anyone try these wacky rigged? Sounds stupid but i got to try it now.

[Bass Rutten]

2 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

The 4 inch works well too on a Hover Rig when strolling in deeper water too… the salt content keeps it down, and the air in the tail keeps it horizontal and tracking..

The hover rig deal was a short lived epic failure for me. May revisit it someday.

[woolleyfooley]

45 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

Let us not forget how good the 5" Caffeine Shad on a Chatterbait, along with the 4" paired with a Mini Max are. Just a thought, anyone try these wacky rigged? Sounds stupid but i got to try it now.

I could see the caffeine shad working well as a chatter bait trailer. It would probably look similar to a spunk shad. I’m planning on comparing the caffeine shad to the Yamamoto D shad. I guess I’ll also be comparing the caffeine shad and the spunk shad as chatterbait trailers. 
 

Thank you for the idea!

[JHoss]

18 hours ago, MediumMouthBass said:

Just a thought, anyone try these wacky rigged? Sounds stupid but i got to try it now.

 

I believe John Cox wacky rigs a fluke when bed fishing if he thinks the fish have seen a million senkos, jigs, and T rigs. I haven't tried it myself but can see how a Caffeine Shad could be deadly presented that way.