Strike King-King Shad Review

[mrbassky]

These are my thoughts on the King Shad.

Background-First off this isnt a Strike King lure. Its actually and ABT lure that strike king repackages and sells. I dont know the details of the lure but if you buy it from ABT it seems like it is cheaper and has more color selections. The lure is one of the most marketed swimbaits by the pros mainly KVD and has won some money such as the FLW on Tellico.

Looks-The stregth of this bait is its profile. It is a dead on shad profile. The colors are good for a crankbait not so good for a swimbait. Really it looks more like a high end american made crankbait color selection than a swimbait. The details (head, fins, ect) really arent special looking either but I think the details are usually overatted anyway and the bait will work fine on that end.

Durability-My biggest concern. I broke 2 ABT baits in less than an hour of fishing. One I hit on hard object the other broke in open water  :'(. The baits have an all plastic joint which is where the break occured both times. I heard the fixed the problem and added a wire but unless I see it I wont buy another ABT lure.  >

Action-The lure really shines as a rip bait which is what ABT calls it. It runs true and has an erratic action when jerked which is why KVD says he loves the lure. (he gets his for free so durability doesnt matter) I have caught most of my fish twiching the bait on top like a wounded bluegill and the reeling it in when out of the strike zone. No doubt the bait catches fish but I think there are better options out there that are more durable (mattlure hardgill, Spro 4in, TT 4in, ect).

Availability-The biggest reason this lure has been popular it was the first hard swimbait I saw in a store like it was for most people.

Final thoughts-Unless its all you can find I would go with another option. If I knew the bait I was buying was improved I might buy another but most likely I will buy a similar bait like a spro that has better colors and is more durable. If you do buy one be extremely careful with it.

P.S. I may send off my broke Lures and see if Strike King replaces them with improved model. Havent decided.

[Pitchinkid]

Id probaly agree with 99% of that. Only reason it isnt 100% is because i havent broke any yet.

P.S. Hybrid striper on river systems love them. lol

[BARON49_Northern NY]

I have used the Strike King King Shads and the ABT's since they came out.  IMO they are one of the best big bass lures I have used.  Was not impressed with the hinge pin breaking, but all the newer baits have a steel pin in the hinge and I have not broken a single one since.

Even with the older models I found fishing them with Trilene 17 lb XT helped with the hook ups and less breakage then with braided line.  Also a long swimbait MH rod with a moderate to moderate fast action worked better then a H action rod with a fast tip.

Sent my broken ones back to ABT and Strike King and they did replace them.  Both were very  good about it and only wanted the broken pieces returned.

As far as fishing these lures most anything has worked for me, but the best has been working next to or over thick weed beds.  A slow steady retrieve with the occasional pause seems to trigger most of the strikes.  When the fish are really active hold the rod tip high and wake the bait over points and along boat docks and other cover.  Hang on when doing this as the strikes are vicious.  Both Largemouths and Smallmouth hit these King Shads and so do BIG Northerns and Pickeral.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

My personal opinion is

You can do better for 20 bones. I haven't so much as had a bass breathe on these lures.I think the fish laugh when they see this thing.

[mrbassky]

I have used the Strike King King Shads and the ABT's since they came out. IMO they are one of the best big bass lures I have used. Was not impressed with the hinge pin breaking, but all the newer baits have a steel pin in the hinge and I have not broken a single one since.

Even with the older models I found fishing them with Trilene 17 lb XT helped with the hook ups and less breakage then with braided line. Also a long swimbait MH rod with a moderate to moderate fast action worked better then a H action rod with a fast tip.

Sent my broken ones back to ABT and Strike King and they did replace them. Both were very good about it and only wanted the broken pieces returned.

As far as fishing these lures most anything has worked for me, but the best has been working next to or over thick weed beds. A slow steady retrieve with the occasional pause seems to trigger most of the strikes. When the fish are really active hold the rod tip high and wake the bait over points and along boat docks and other cover. Hang on when doing this as the strikes are vicious. Both Largemouths and Smallmouth hit these King Shads and so do BIG Northerns and Pickeral.

Where did you send them to get them replaced? I bought mine from strike king. I agree they do catch fish but I think there may be better options.

[BARON49_Northern NY]

Other options I am looking for, but have tried some of the other hard swimbaits and other then the Sebiles have not caught much on them.   These King Shads do catch fish and catch good fish.  

There is a thread going about the Tru Tunsten 4" Baits, but it appears no one has used them and the information is slim to none.

As far as sending your broken Strike King baits back to the factory? Go to their web site and find out what zone you are in and talk with the supervisor of that area.  

[SoFl-native]

this bait is alright. I have one.

For the money i would rather have a BBZ1 or a TT shad.

[Primus]

I agree with your opinion Baron49, this one seems to be a love it or hate it lure. I've been very pleased with the 4 that I have and I've been one of the lucky ones because I have not had one break even though I fished it quite a bit last year. I've caught bass over 5 lbs plus some nice size pike on this bait. I've caught some fish twitching but to be honest the most successful retrieve for me has been burning it in.

[BARON49_Northern NY]

Glad to hear you are doing well with burning it.  I have a little success with burning in the early AM or right at dusk.  My best retrieve for the bigger fish has been simple waking it with the rod held high over weedbeds.