Today I hung up and broke off my last shad-colored Arashi squarebill. I have only two left, but not in shad. I was appalled, shocked, aghast, dejected, morose, despondent, lugubrious, and kinda bummed out when I discovered that the best squarebill in the history of bass fishing is no longer manufactured. What is the next best please?

Bill Lewis ATV.

20 minutes ago, Columbia Craw said:

Bill Lewis ATV.

I like it. It's an 1/8oz lighter thank an Arashi 5, but dives just as deep. I like the green gizzard color. Do you change the hooks? I read a few complaints.

I had a few of those back in the day. I remember finding them in a $1 clearance bin at DSG and Gander Mountain. They had tons of them. I don't think I ever caught a fish on one.

6 hours ago, BigAngus752 said:

I like it. It's an 1/8oz lighter thank an Arashi 5, but dives just as deep. I like the green gizzard color. Do you change the hooks? I read a few complaints.

Stock hooks are very good. After some wear just swap out with Owner ST 36’s and you’re good to go.

Ebay should have plenty of them. Personally I have had terrible luck with anything Storm makes.

Allen

Spro “Fat Papa” is pretty similar to the Arashi 5. Also check out the Bass Mafia “Fugitive”.

I feel your pain - I always liked the Arashi cranks. Shimano Macbeth was pretty close, but I think they’re discontinued also.

I forgot about the Rapala Rocco. This is a premium bait worthy of consideration.

6 hours ago, ElGuapo928 said:

Spro “Fat Papa” is pretty similar to the Arashi 5. Also check out the Bass Mafia “Fugitive”.

I feel your pain - I always liked the Arashi cranks. Shimano Macbeth was pretty close, but I think they’re discontinued also.

5 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

I forgot about the Rapala Rocco. This is a premium bait worthy of consideration.

Thank you, I will look at both of those.

21 hours ago, BigAngus752 said:

I was appalled, shocked, aghast, dejected, morose, despondent, lugubrious, and kinda bummed out when I discovered that the best squarebill in the history of bass fishing is no longer manufactured.

Trust me, I know how you feel. It seems like every time I really figure out how to use a bait that most anglers never heard of, it gets discontinued or gets redesigned.

I would recommend visiting as many small tackle shops as you can. You would be surprised at what you can find.

In the meantime, if you have any of those baits in colors that don't do well or you have little confidence in, have them custom painted to whatever spec you want. It's not cheap, you're dead a long time and tomorrow is never promise.

16 hours ago, ElGuapo928 said:

I feel your pain - I always liked the Arashi cranks. Shimano Macbeth was pretty close

I got a couple of the Macbeth shallows when they were on clearance and they didnt do so well. They are suposed to dive to 1' but I struggled to get them to 3 or 4" deep on #12 FC.

3 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

I would recommend visiting as many small tackle shops as you can

That didn't even occur to me. I have a fantastic mom and pop store an hour away (pop has passed). She will have a wall of squarebills. Thank you.

Looks like there are quite a few Arashi square 5 for sale on eBay. And they’re not terribly priced even tho discontinued. Unlike the Baby 1- that are priced ridiculously. 🤨