2 minutes ago, wolfe_ohara said:

 

did you get the 2 or 3 piece rat? 

Got the 2 piece.

 

3 piece looks great but maybe a little too big for these parts.  

Mattlures Hardgill is underrated IMO and fits in that size. That and a Gantarel are hard to beat for bluegill baits. The Psycho Gill is also a staple bluegill style wake bait but can be a bit harder to get. 7" or 9" MS Slammer is also a classic bait. Even if there are no trout. 

 

You'll love the PB rat. The sound is so unique. The 2-piece is more versatile IMO. 

1 hour ago, MassYak85 said:

Mattlures Hardgill is underrated IMO and fits in that size. That and a Gantarel are hard to beat for bluegill baits. The Psycho Gill is also a staple bluegill style wake bait but can be a bit harder to get. 7" or 9" MS Slammer is also a classic bait. Even if there are no trout. 

 

You'll love the PB rat. The sound is so unique. The 2-piece is more versatile IMO. 

 

Thanks those look good.

 

I think I'm leaning towards 5" - 6" for the bluegill.

 

Living in Iowa and the places I fish don't scream "big swimbaits" like some other fisheries.   

 

And yes, I'm SUPER EXCITED for the rat.

 

I can say with about 99.9% confidence that this is a lure "my" bass have never seen before.

 

Hopefully it doesn't fail me like the d**n whopper plopper. Another bait I was super excited for.

Anything from throwback is awesome. I’ve had good luck with the cheat code and the metro. They are hard to come by sometimes but the metro is definitely my favorite 

10 hours ago, sasquatch2711 said:

Anything from throwback is awesome. I’ve had good luck with the cheat code and the metro. They are hard to come by sometimes but the metro is definitely my favorite 

I wish I wouldn’t have ever seen this post.

 

After googling Throwback swimbaits and then watching random YouTube videos, I might have to work an extra year before I can ever retire.

 

Nothing ordered yet, but the Monkey now NEEDS a pink lemonade Metro.

3 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

I wish I wouldn’t have ever seen this post.

 

After googling Throwback swimbaits and then watching random YouTube videos, I might have to work an extra year before I can ever retire.

 

Nothing ordered yet, but the Monkey now NEEDS a pink lemonade Metro.

A $60 SPRO chad shad will be just as good imho.  

if you looking for inexpensive lure, Get this. It is a fish catcher.

1 hour ago, ATA said:

if you looking for inexpensive lure, Get this. It is a fish catcher.

What is it?

Tiny Klash.  I need one before winter.  hahah..

1 hour ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

What is it?

Trick shad kiwi color 

13 hours ago, Rockhopper said:

Trick shad kiwi color 

 

Gave it a quick search.

 

Most reviews say they catch fish but the hooks rip out easily.

 

Disappointing to hear, they are actually on sale at TW.

1 hour ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

Gave it a quick search.

 

Most reviews say they catch fish but the hooks rip out easily.

 

Disappointing to hear, they are actually on sale at TW.

Don’t listen to anyone. On sale means you have to buy it. I have a copy of the bait monkey contract with that explicitly spelled out.

2 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

the hooks rip out easily

Rip out how?  Out of the bait?

10 minutes ago, Rockhopper said:

Rip out how?  Out of the bait?

Yeah, multiple reviews saying this.

3 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Yeah, multiple reviews saying this.

Just grab a 5" Bullshad then and don't worry about anything. The 5" will get you more bites than the 6", IMO. More lands for sure anyway. Change the hooks. The stockers really blo.

SWIMBAIT CITY STORE

26 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Just grab a 5" Bullshad then and don't worry about anything. The 5" will get you more bites than the 6", IMO. More lands for sure anyway. Change the hooks. The stockers really blo.

SWIMBAIT CITY STORE

That bullshad will have a significantly different action than the trick shad being discussed. Glidebait vs multi jointed swimbait.  Though I agree you do need a multi joint bait as well.  As a cheap bait, I use the 6th sense trace for this purpose and it does well when the conditions call for a multi jointed bait.

5 minutes ago, Rockhopper said:

That bullshad will have a significantly different action than the trick shad being discussed. Glidebait vs multi jointed swimbait.  Though I agree you do need a multi joint bait as well.  As a cheap bait, I use the 6th sense trace for this purpose and it does well when the conditions call for a multi jointed bait.

I agree. Gotta have a Bullshad in the lineup no matter what though. Lots of complaints about the Trick shad from the community. Best to let them work out the kinks. I'm with you on the Trace. They work.

 

What sucks is that I have over $100 of rewards credit at Omnia and their swimbait lineup is lacking.

 

I don’t mind but my wife sure does!

Re: Trick shad... same reports of hooks and hangers breaking on other swimbait sources.  However the manufacturer has begun to address it.

On 8/22/2025 at 4:19 PM, webertime said:

the manufacturer has begun to address it.

Any idea what they are doing? 

45 minutes ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

Any idea what they are doing? 

from personal experience, they are replacing the lure with a newer model. The hangers look the same, but i was assured they are not going to break out. I had 2 of the very first run of them break, but the replacements have been stellar.

1 minute ago, wolfe_ohara said:

from personal experience, they are replacing the lure with a newer model. The hangers look the same, but i was assured they are not going to break out. I had 2 of the very first run of them break, but the replacements have been stellar.

I’d assume the ones on TW are still the old model, or not? 

I would assume that TW has enough turnover/buying power to ensure they have the newer models, but I do not know for a fact that they have the "new" hangers.

initially, breaking 2 in a row was frustrating for me but bucca brand made it right and the replacements have held up to a variety of bass, some pike and even a couple bowfin. I will be willing to buy and try the 8" trick and the 5" bull shad when they come out based on how the company has handled this issue.