call me an idiot, but i couldn't find this freakin thing for sale anywhere. it's the BBZ-1 in threadfin

http://www.***.com/Spro_BBZ-1_Shad_Swimbait_4/descpage-SBZSFS.html

so where is the threadfin shad color. pause it at :54 seconds and get a good look at it.

call up Spro and ask them if it is even out yet or if in fact it is another color readily avail. here is the number - Tel (770) 919-1722

It is my understanding that the threadfin shad color turned into the "Natural Shad" color before they were mass produced.  They also took off the little thread that used to be hanging off of the dorsal fin as well.

It is my understanding that the threadfin shad color turned into the "Natural Shad" color before they were mass produced. They also took off the little thread that used to be hanging off of the dorsal fin as well.

you're right, rep called me back and said it's now just the natural shad. but the threadfin in my neck of the woods has a blue back, silver bottom half and a dark colored tail and fins. spros natural shad is almost opposite of that. and the bait John Crews was holding up doesn't look likethe natural shad. tru tungsten put this bait out but is also not available anymore, i don't think. it's the last one under "Tru-Tungsten Swimbait Samples".

http://tackletog.com/blog/2009/05/

I think you will find that a direct match in color is not as important as you may think. In many cases I like a swimbait that stands out just a little and I do not just mean in color. Sometimes a bait that is just a little bit larger or smaller than the actual bait size will get more attention. If you throw your bait at busting balls of shad what separates it from the rest? Why does a fish key in on your bait? IMO the size, profile and capabilities (ways it can be fished) of a bait out weigh color in most cases.

well i think the way i retrieve it will give it some contrast

It is my understanding that the threadfin shad color turned into the "Natural Shad" color before they were mass produced. They also took off the little thread that used to be hanging off of the dorsal fin as well.

you're right, rep called me back and said it's now just the natural shad. but the threadfin in my neck of the woods has a blue back, silver bottom half and a dark colored tail and fins. spros natural shad is almost opposite of that. and the bait John Crews was holding up doesn't look likethe natural shad. tru tungsten put this bait out but is also not available anymore, i don't think. it's the last one under "Tru-Tungsten Swimbait Samples".

http://tackletog.com/blog/2009/05/

The TT bait is custom painted. Really if you want to match a shad that close you may want to go the custom painted bait route. A lot of those are out there with custom paint.