Ok  --- heard all the talk that this is the latest and greatest for heavily trafficked waters. What is your experience? Where does it work well? What colors? Is it worth the 17.99 or just more hype.

I'm really, really on the fence with this one. I love Japanese tackle. And this is indeed a beautiful little lure. I've been fishing with it everyday since it came into my possession. It seems to catch all species here. Everything is interested in it. And even fish that don't bite it, follow it all the way. I've sometimes had 3 fish in hot pursuit! That being said, it isn't nearly as effective in my waters as it seems to be in the fan boys videos. Here, I'd merely describe it as "OK". YMMV.

 

It's also really quite fun to fish! It's also easy to fish. And fool proof. Use any manner of pops, twitches and pauses and it should work. Or use I-motion..but I have yet to catch one this way.

 

On the other hand, it's fussy. Almost any alteration seems to change the action. I think the hooks are poor and not very durable. There's no replacement for the rear Flashabou tail either..and I think that's part of the "secret sauce". And the price! I'm sorry, as much as I like these, the price is arrogant. This is a TINY bait. Surely it can't be THAT difficult to manufacture.

 

And if you live where there's pike..you ARE going to lose some. Maybe lots. Even the thinnest leader fouls the action. So no leader.

 

Sooooo...I wouldn't tell anyone that it's a "must have". But if you can afford it...I think you should try it.

 

Here's mine. I've exclusively used the Wagin Oikawa KS color. It seems to be a good general baitfish color. The flash is noticeable well away  from you during the retrieve.

 

 

The only place I see people drooling over this thing is Tactical Bass'n and they are just a huge infomercial where companies are paying them to recommend their tackle.

 

I'm curious what others say though.

 

I'll pretty much buy anything that will catch fish. 

Hasn't impressed me in the ponds I've fished that have some color to the water. I'm thinking it will work better in the clearer water lake I fish.🤞🏻

Clear water, fast twitches just under the surface. It is definitely a numbers bait, but as has been said if you hook anything over 4 lbs and you will, you better have a great drag and lots of open water because the hooks will fail. I upgrade the front hook with the Ryugi Pierce. I have not found a feathered treble hook for the rear.

I absolutely love this bait.  Have been fishing it awhile now, and it ALWAYS produces.  I have actually fished it on my 822dsr and my 6'8" mojo bass jerkbait rod with a curado 71 mgl.  Both surprisingly work well.  I didn't think the jerkbait rod was going to perform due to how light this bait is, but have been able to cast it well up to about 30 foot casts.  The 822dsr is very well suited for this bait as it is very parabolic and works well with the small trebels.  I would imagine it is similar to what the action of a true bfs rod would be.  

 

Yes, the bait costs more than it should.  There is no replacement for the rear hook/tail.  But, there is nothing else like it on the market.  And it flat catches fish.  I fish it both stock, and with an added split ring on the line tie.  It might just be me, but I think I catch more fish with the added split ring.  It does change the action quite a bit.

 

If you have the funds, I would say go for it.  It is a very fun bait to fish.

The above post reminded me that I neglected to mention that I use this on spinning: 7ft Expride Light. I can cast the lure a mile.

 

I lieu of a split ring, I use a micro R-Snap from Ryugi, size 0.

 

Have used it 5-6 times... caught fish only 2 of those times, but they were plus size for BFS. So like those above I have mixed feelings on it. Unique concept between a light jerkbait and topwater that goes down about 6-12 inches in the water column.  Has its place (just not around cover/weeds). 

bait monkey anti spray at the ready.  

 

i casted a buds and it looks awesome in clear waters.  i didnt catch anything. but i didnt give it much time.  

 

having said that, i bet white bass will annihilate that thing. 

44 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

 

 

having said that, i bet white bass will annihilate that thing. 

Like this? 

Can someone explain how to do this retrieve please? I don’t get if you just reel it in or do you impart some action too? 
 

What rod/reel line are you guys throwing these on?  I have BFS and 10 lb braid + 7 lb fluoro leader. 

Just now, woolleyfooley said:

Can someone explain how to do this retrieve please? I don’t get if you just reel it in or do you impart some action too? 
 

I do 2-3 fast twitches, pause, followed by 2-3 more twitches… 

15 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

Can someone explain how to do this retrieve please? I don’t get if you just reel it in or do you impart some action too? 
 

Both of those! 

 

Straight reel in is called "I-motion". Basically a VERY straight moving wake bait.

 

As far as imparting action? Literally anything and any combo you want. Twitches, pops, jerks, pauses. There isn't a right or wrong retrieve. Twitch, twitch, pause. Pop, pop..pause..Twitch. Etc

 

That's part of the fun of this bait. Judy throw it and experiment and have fun with your retrieves.

3 minutes ago, RRocket said:

Both of those! 

 

Straight reel in is called "I-motion". Basically a VERY straight moving wake bait.

 

As far as imparting action? Literally anything and any combo you want. Twitches, pops, jerks, pauses. There isn't a right or wrong retrieve. Twitch, twitch, pause. Pop, pop..pause..Twitch. Etc

 

That's part of the fun of this bait. Judy throw it and experiment and have fun with your retrieves.

Thanks! Do you need a finesse setup for this bait? 

11 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

Thanks! Do you need a finesse setup for this bait? 

Yes, it's preferred for best action.

The MB Karashi is slow sinking lure so you can count it down also. Every predator fish will eat this lure including big trout!

Tom

I buy the Aliexpress version for 3 bucks and they work just as well. 

 

Had no idea those existed. Might have to try them out.  Which size is the same as the megabass version?

4 minutes ago, Rockhopper said:

Had no idea those existed. Might have to try them out.  Which size is the same as the megabass version?

59mm

I fished it yesterday and today. I caught 7 yesterday on a boat and 20+ tonight bank fishing. The hooks are pretty good. I have bent out a front hook on a big smallmouth but I can see where it could be an issue. I have found it to be one of the baits that when they are feeding on small fish in the 1-2 foot range, this bait is magic. Then when they are finicky, this bait will draw them out if you fish it slowly. 

 

I have found the size 10's from Megabass for the rear feathered treble but I have not replaced on yet.  I also have a box of these which I have used on crankbaits. They work pretty well. No complaints but they are not as good as say a Ryugi or Owner.

 

https://www.amazon.com/AMHDV-Feather-Fishing-Strong-Treble/dp/B07QX9TZJ7/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1VAR2RR7AFAD7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.D-URe_CM2eGdjo7O0cShlxR4DJciN5Qh7kJyiczGFAuTySYWfmQP0PNM1kI8mBVVElKmNP49gQLocsciEdVuQWxEwkwrg9rsCEADMtvagYMgkwMcNSCHstUcugcb91j5xLrW2ywp3VbJZRZ9D41V7kLLjb4888t1to8igXsHcvoksx_TorOE1pBIJZ0H_bb9EoPXBR-nzabcemIbviXJeHquazLNfvoAms8KfgcDaZ6RJnrR6FsYN_0eXhv2tdb9r1WJPMWFlvBeykufb0gYYVlKVlC8TvYyave9kGPqygs.YcLIlMp0_SlsHulYmP7N7kM1sCN2GR9oPgLnKtmbz2I&dib_tag=se&keywords=feathered%2Btreble%2Bhooks%2Bsize%2B10&qid=1748913878&sprefix=feathered%2Btreble%2Bhooks%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-7&th=1&psc=1 

23 hours ago, RRocket said:

Yes, it's preferred for best action.

Dang. I don’t have a finesse setup at the moment.

22 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

Dang. I don’t have a finesse setup at the moment.

Oh! You can certainly use what you have. And it WILL work. But if you are trying a retrieve that rewards a soft tip, your bait movement may be different. But for just doing pops, pauses and twitches? I say you'd be fine.

 

I say go ahead and report back! 

In case anyone cares about hook sizes/weight (#10)

I have, with some difficulty, made a flashabou tail for the Karashi clone using some holographic material. You can't see, but it flashes red when tilted. Overall, it's a tiny bit lighter than the OEM.

 

I think it turned out fine..given I have zero fly tying experience or equipment.

 

Megabass top, clone on bottom.

 

Megabass weight: 4.9 grams (.171 oz)

Clone weight: 5.4 grams (.190oz)

 

 

On 6/2/2025 at 3:22 PM, WRB said:

The MB Karashi is slow sinking lure so you can count it down also. Every predator fish will eat this lure including big trout!

Tom

 

As Tom is my witness, big trout will indeed hammer the Karashi.