Shadalicious Swimbaits - The Love-Hate Relationship

[Heisenbass]

I love to use soft plastic swimbaits for bass fishing. I use them shallow, I use them deep, I use them pretty much everywhere, in pretty much every situation. In my experience, the Strike King Shadalicious Swimbaits have by far the best action of any swimbait on the market. They are definitely my favorites and are the ones I have had the most success with. But I hate to love 'em... As many of you probably know, they are not durable at all. If you catch one or two fish with one of those swimbaits, it is as good as done.

I don't think I could ever part with the Shadalicious, but when I don't feel like loosing 2 packs of them in a day, I need something more durable. Does anyone know of a more durable swimbait that also has a decent action? I know that most hollow-bodied swimbaits like the shadalicious have better actions, but are they all this fragile? I've tried other full bodied swimbaits, such as the YUM Money Minnows for example, and I just can't seem to find a match for the Shadalicious' slow, wide wobble (it's so beautiful lol). Which swimbaits have you guys had the most success with?

Thanks!
Martin

[BradGuenette]

Look into a product called Mend-it, I use it for all my soft swimbait needs.

[Wallyboss]

I use Reaction Innovations Skinny Dippers. they seem to last a bit longer than most other ones I have tried and i love their life like action.

[EagleEyesFlash]

The most durable swimbait I have used are probably X-zone swammers, if you can still find them.
Z-man baits have a more durable soft plastic ... Elaztech ... might be worth a try, say a PaddlerZ.
I too find the soft ones get bit more, like the hollow bellies ( Yum money minnow, shadalicious, grasspigs,.. ) too.

Yeah, have to get a jar of that Mend-It, works on hollow belly frogs too.

[River Monster]

I'm a big fan of the gambler ez swimmer. (Paddletales Stocks them). I find them very durable, great action/wobble and reasonably priced.

[lape0019]

The most durable swimbait I have used are probably X-zone swammers, if you can still find them.
Z-man baits have a more durable soft plastic ... Elaztech ... might be worth a try, say a PaddlerZ.
I too find the soft ones get bit more, like the hollow bellies ( Yum money minnow, shadalicious, grasspigs,.. ) too.

Xzone is back in business so you should be able to find them again shortly.

I use the Reaction Innovations ones for the most part. I was given some StankX NXT level Swims in their rad gill color to try and they feel durable and are a hand painted soft plastic bait. I can't wait to try them. I am hoping they are not a disappointment. At this point, I am giving you another option to look into but I cannot recommend them.

Adam

[BradGuenette]

Surprised how many people still use Skinny Dippers, I gave up on them because I got tired of boiling tails, they are always bent in the packaging they use. Now I rotate between Reins,Keitech and Bass Magent

[lape0019]

Surprised how many people still use Skinny Dippers, I gave up on them because I got tired of boiling tails, they are always bent in the packaging they use. Now I rotate between Reins,Keitech and Bass Magent

I've never even noticed!

[BradGuenette]

Surprised how many people still use Skinny Dippers, I gave up on them because I got tired of boiling tails, they are always bent in the packaging they use. Now I rotate between Reins,Keitech and Bass Magent

I've never even noticed!

I'm kind of OCD when it comes to swimbaits, if they aren't perfectly straight I won't fish them.

[Heisenbass]

Thanks guys! I'll make sure to check out some of those... I like Reaction Innovations, so their Swimbait will be first on the docket I think!