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Date: |
1/25/06 |
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Tackle type: |
Lures |
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Manufacturer: |
Awesome Bait
Company |
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Reviewer: |
Cal |
Total Score:
7.91
Introduction: Are you willing to pay top
dollar for a crankbait but grow tired of the
plethora of cookie-cutter, injected plastic mold
replicas - despite the wonderful array of finishes
they offer? Do you value the unique and eccentric
action of a hand carved, wood crank but are
frustrated over the lack of true color selection in
these hand made wonders? What if we told you that
it's possible to have it all - the unique
characteristics of hand carved wood baits with the
dizzying color array typical of some of the larger
lure manufacturers? Would you say "Awesome!"? Pull
up the trolling motor and lean back on your pedestal
seat as we take a closer look at Awesome Bait
Company's pre-eminent Thundershad Crankbait!
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Thundershad Model 175 Specifications |
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Type |
Crankbait |
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Depth |
0-5 ft |
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Class |
Floating |
|
Size |
3
3/8" (1/2 oz) |
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Colors/Patterns |
Approximately 37 different colors |
|
Hook Sizes |
#4
front & rear |
|
MSRP |
$14.99 |
Impressions: Founded
in January, 2000 by professional bass fisherman,
Mark Shepard and his stepfather, Paul
Kaptis, Awesome Bait Company has been busy building
a fierce and loyal following in the deep south - the
heart of American bass fishing country. With close
to a dozen different models of freshwater cranks and
endorsements by bass fishing professionals such as
Rick Clunn, where does one begin? We chose, for our
trials the shallow running, round billed Model 175.
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Introducing Awesome Bait Company's Thundershad
Model 175 |
At first glance, the Thundersad 175
crankbait appears no different than your run of the
mill, mass produced lure. Take a closer look, and
one begins to notice quality components and
construction with such touches as oval split rings,
Gamakatsu brand hooks, and a thick, clear coat
protective finish over the lure's paint. While the
intricacies of the lure's paint job may not be the
most detailed or exquisite we've witnessed, one can
certainly discern great care goes into the painting
and finish of each Thundershad crankbait.
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Complete test rig for Thundershad Model 175
Field Tests |
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Rod |
Kistler Helium He70MC |
|
Reel |
Shimano Conquest 51 |
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Line |
12 lb Yozuri Hybrid |
The Field Tests:
We rigged our Thundershad Model 175 on one of
our typical cranking setups and took it out for
tests in some of the clear water reservoirs of
Northern California as well as the California Delta.
Our three test colors to cover this range of bass
waters were Citrus Shad, Fire Tiger, and Black
Silver.
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The Thundershad Model 175 comes in a thin
profile typical of other wood, finesse cranks.
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Casting/Pitching:
Most plastic crankbaits can be launched, with ease,
in just about any casting conditions one might
encounter on the water. This can be attributed to
internal weights that shift depending on the lure's
orientation to help change the baits center of
gravity as it flies through the air. Most wood
cranks, on the other hand, are not privileged to
these technological advancements. As a result, most
are difficult to cast even in the absence of wind,
unless one is using a light action rod, light line,
and a high quality fishing reel.
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Though not the most intricate finish we've
witnessed, our Thundershads did feature a
quality, durable, clearcoat to protect the
lure's finish from premature wear. |
Conversely, our
Thundershad Model 175, with its half ounce weight
rating, yet, average overall length, was an ease to
cast, even with a heavier action fiberglass cranking
stick (our Heavy Action Custom Seeker BS706
featuring a 3/8 - 1oz lure rating). We were quite
pleased with the ease by which our test baits could
be cast at all of our targets.
Awesome Bait Company
has done an excellent job at engineering the castablity of these baits.
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Thundershad cranks feature oval split rings and
Gamakatsu hooks.
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