Engineered for ultimate action and versatility, the Freedom Flyer 4.25 Minnow brings a new level of performance because of it being the easiest minnow to elicit the fish catching rolling action. The rear mounted side up-pitch elevators cause the easy rolling action. They are manufactured with a patented 3D printed mold cavity process that allows for the totally unique angles and details.

“Anglers want a minnow that is easy to roll because that is the fish catching action,” said John Crews of Missile Baits. “The Freedom Flyer 4.25 is exactly that because of the up-pitch elevators in the rear. There is no other minnow out there like it.”

The Freedom Flyer 4.25 Minnow is available in a wide array of proven fish-catching colors specially selected to match baitfish across all regions. Each bait is poured with Missile Baits’ premium soft-plastic formula, ensuring durability, action, and unmatched attention to detail.

Key Features of the Freedom Flyer 4.25 Minnow:

• Realistic minnow profile with integrated up-pitch elevators on the rear
• Designed for jig heads, Chatterbaits, weightless, and more
• Packaged in a protective clam so all baits are perfect
• Available in multiple proven fish catching colors
• Made in the USA

Dealers around the world have already begun receiving shipments this week, and anglers can expect to find the new Freedom Flyer 4.25 Minnow on store shelves and online tackle shops immediately at www.missilebaits.store.

About Missile Baits
Missile Baits is dedicated to producing high-performance bass fishing baits that deliver real results at the highest levels of competition. We design, test, and refine every bait to meet the demands of today’s top anglers. To see more stories, product news, or angler tips, visit www.missilebaits.store.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
info@missilebaits.com | (855) HOOKSET (466-5738)

The new series of baits is marked by realistic and innovative designs, and proven scent formulas that contain bite stimulants.

The theme of this series is “Small Baits. Big Results!” X Zone Lures recognizes that our fisheries are highly pressured. “Downsizing our baits and presenting them in a finesse style is the key to success in many situations” says Zac Van Ryn of X Zone Lures.

Included in this series of baits are:

• 2.75” Scented Stealth Minnow
• 2.5” Scented Stealth Craw
• 2.75” Scented Stealth Creature
• 2.25” Scented Stealth Tube
• Stealth Tube Jig with scent lock design

Using high-quality ingredients, with no cheap fillers, and specific formulas that X Zone Lures is known for, each one of these baits is designed to perform in a way to maximize its own specific required presentation. This includes floating claws on the Craw and Creature, Neutral buoyancy on the Minnow and heavy salt for the Tube.

Designed with input from X Zone Lures top pros Brandon Palaniuk, Carl Jocumsen and Cooper Gallant, these baits are truly pro driven!

Visit the Stealth Finesse Series product page at: https://xzonelures.com/collections/all-stealth-finesse-series-1

Leveraging state-of-the-art Injected Core Technology (ICT), the LIVETARGET Craw heralds a transformative departure from conventional soft-plastic lure design. This innovative technology seamlessly integrates lifelike anatomical features—such as a segmented body replete with intricate textures and ridges, augmented by meticulously rendered claws, legs, and even the discernibly sharp eyestalk—within a dynamic inner core. The unique injection laminate process further enhances the inner core with intricately layered metallic hues encapsulated within a robust, transparent exoskeleton.

The fusion of a detailed inner core with a translucent outer layer not only provides the LIVETARGET Craw with exceptional realism but also ensures its superior functionality. ICT guarantees that the lure exhibits unmatched action, enticing bass with its natural appearance under conditions of sparse natural forage, heightened angler pressure, or when fish are conditioned to specific bait presentations.

Available in two sizes—2.8 inches and 3.8 inches—the LIVETARGET Craw offers unparalleled versatility in depth, speed control, and fishability. Rigging this ultra-realistic craw imitation is both straightforward and versatile, facilitating effortless hook concealment and optimal hook penetration upon a strike. Featuring a body of optimal thickness to securely accommodate a heavy-gauge flipping hook, yet not impeding hooksets, the lure’s unique appendages induce pronounced kicking and quivering motions with minimal angler input, mirroring the sedentary and defensive postures innate to live crayfish, whether punched, jigged, or presented on a Texas rig. Moreover, its distinctive profile permits anglers to rig it with the tail folded under the hook, enhancing displacement during retrieval and providing a flat surface for accommodating a bullet weight or jighead.

Whether navigating a secluded pond or a sprawling reservoir, astute anglers are advised to vigilantly monitor their line as it falls. On the descent, the bait takes a defensive posture with the claws rising and waving as it sinks. A sudden jump or twitch in the slack line often heralds a strike, as the LIVETARGET Craw is frequently intercepted before reaching the substrate.

With its combination of ICT inner core and exoskeleton, the LIVETARGET Craw epitomizes a harmonious blend of softness and durability, capable of withstanding repeated catches without tearing or compromising its vibrant coloration. Available in twelve distinct color variations and two size options, the LIVETARGET Craw stands unrivaled in its realism and attraction.

Pair the 2.8 with a 2/0 Mustad AlphaPoint Assault Wide Gap hook and the 3.8 with a 5/0. Sold unrigged with a MSRP of $7. 99 .

Craw Features
• Injected Core Technology
• Ultra-Realistic Profile
• Advanced Multi-color Injected Laminate
• Sizes: 2.8 inch, 3.8 inch
• Package Count: 2.8 inch – 5, 3.8 inch – 6
• 12 colors

LIVETARGET as a leader in lure development, consistently pushes the boundaries of innovation to elevate the angling experience across a wide range of fisheries. For 2024, LIVETARGET
proudly introduces a revolutionary line of dynamic soft-plastic worms. These expertly crafted worms provide the perfect shape, balance, and adaptable hook placement modern fishermen needed to entice and deceive wary bass. While their shapes may seem familiar, these worms stand out due to a groundbreaking blend of softness, durability, buoyancy, and action, achieved through meticulous engineering and cutting-edge materials science.

Employing Injected Core Technology (ICT), the LIVETARGET family of worms herald a paradigm shift in traditional soft plastic lure design. This advanced technology integrates a unique injection laminate process enhancing the inner core with intricate, multi-colored metallic layers encapsulated within a translucent, durable exoskeleton. The three-dimensional effect generated by ICT allows light to refract throughout the entire lure, significantly enhancing its lifelike appearance underwater. Utilizing different densities of salt and PVC material in the inner core and exoskeleton ensure that the lures remain soft yet durable, providing an optimized sink rate that is highly effective for various finesse techniques.

Stick Worm
The Stick Worm, the softest of LIVETARGET’s newest worm profiles, is designed to excel in various fishing techniques. The 5- and 6-inch versions are ideal for Texas, or wacky rigging, featuring a reduced salt content in the inner core to achieve a slow to medium sink rate. This slower descent keeps the bait in the strike zone longer. Its ribbed body and cylindrical shape taper sharply to the tail, providing a distinctive shimmy on slack line, setting it apart from traditional fast-sinking stick worms.

For NED rigging enthusiasts, the 3- and 4-inch Stick Worms stand perfectly upright and exhibit a pronounced quiver in the tail, thanks to their saltless composition which enhances buoyancy.

When paired with a mushroom or ball head, these worms display an enticing shaking, dragging, or hopping motion. The LIVETARGET Stick Worm is available in eight distinct color variations and four size options, sold unrigged with a MSRP of $6.99, 8 -10 per pack.

Straight Tail Worm
The Straight Tail Worm, distinguished by its slender head and tapered body that narrows before expanding into a bulbous tail, offers exceptional action and stands as the stiffest among
LIVETARGET’s new worm profiles. Available in three sizes—4.5 inches, 5.5 inches, and 6.5 inches—this modern straight tail worm showcases remarkable versatility. When rigged Texas-style with a Mustad AlphaPoint Tak-Offset hook, it proves effective in heavy cover and also excels in targeting fish near the bottom or mid-water column with shaky head or drop shot rigs.  The worm’s elongated shape responds dynamically to minimal rod tip movements, enhancing hook penetration and reducing the likelihood of missed fish due to its slim profile.

Unlike many soft plastic worms heavily impregnated with salt, which compromises durability, the Straight Tail Worm excludes salt completely. This design achieves a slow to medium sink rate while maintaining a soft and durable exoskeleton. The LIVETARGET Straight Tail Worm is available in eight vibrant, fade-resistant colors and three sizes, sold unrigged with an MSRP of $6.99 for a 10-pack.

Finesse Worm
The Finesse Worm stands out with its thicker body, gradually tapering from head to tail like a baseball bat. This design adds subtle bulk to the traditional finesse profile. Through strategic manipulation of hook placement and weight distribution, the presentation of this bait undergoes significant transformation. When rigged weightless on a Texas rig with a Mustad AlphaPoint Tak-Offset hook, the Finesse Worm excels in surface presentations, offering stealth and mobility. Adding a bullet weight allows for presentations along the bottom and through dense cover. Drop shotting also proves highly effective, as the angler’s subtle manipulation of the weight produces an enticing action that appeals to wary bass in clear water or pressured fisheries.

Unlike many soft plastic worms heavily laden with salt, which can compromise durability, the Finesse Worm features none at all. This unique composition results in a slow to medium sink rate while maintaining a soft yet durable texture. The LIVETARGET Finesse Worm is available in eight fade-resistant colors—four classics and four innovative options—and three sizes.  They are sold unrigged in packs of ten, with a suggested retail price of $6.99.

The LIVETARGET Sunfish introduces a paradigm shift in traditional swimbait design through its utilization of state-of-the-art Injected Core Technology (ICT). This cutting-edge approach integrates lifelike anatomical features—comprising realistic eyes, precisely sculpted scales, fins, lateral line, and body profile—within a dynamic inner core. Employing an advanced injection laminate process, ICT enriches the inner core with intricate, multi-colored metallic layers ensconced within a clear, robust exoskeleton. The three-dimensional effect generated by ICT allows light to refract throughout the entire lure, significantly enhancing its lifelike appearance underwater.

The combination of a richly detailed inner core and a translucent outer layer ensures that the LIVETARGET Sunfish not only achieves exceptional realism but also maintains superior functionality. ICT guarantees that the lure delivers unmatched action in the water, attracting big bass with its size, natural appearance and movement.

Available in three sizes—3.3 inch, 3.8 inch, 4.3 inch—the LIVETARGET Sunfish offers unparalleled versatility in depth, speed control, and fishability. Though it’s not a giant swimbait, this soft plastic is definitely a big fish pattern. While it excels at covering open water, it is particularly adept at dissecting areas believed to hold big fish. Central to its superior action is the unique oscillator tail, molded from a transparent exoskeleton. This design imparts a fluid side-to-side swimming motion and rhythmic tail beat without compromising the lure’s natural appearance. Encased in this transparent shell, the inner core perfectly mimics a pesky panfish, ensuring that bass focus on the authentic profile of the bait rather than the action-enerating oscillator tail.

Rigging the LIVETARGET Sunfish is both straightforward and efficient, thanks to features such as a split belly and dorsal fin, which allow for effortless hook concealment and optimal penetration upon a strike. The hook slot on the back facilitates a weedless presentation, enabling anglers to skip the lure under docks, overhangs, and laydowns with minimal snagging risk.

Thoughtful design initiatives accommodate various rigging options, including a jighead or twist-lock extra wide gap worm hook, which virtually disappear within the body cavity, ensuring both secure attachment and optimal presentation.

With its combination of ICT inner core and exoskeleton the LIVETARGET Sunfish is both soft and durable, capable of withstanding repeated catches without tearing or losing its vibrant coloration. Available in eight colors and three sizes to perfectly match the bluegill, sunfish and other small panfish that bass love to eat, this swimbait boasts unmatched realism and is best paired with a jighead or 6/0 – 10/0 AlphaPoint Assault Wide Gap hook. Sold unrigged with a MSRP of $9. 99 .

Sunfish Features
• Injected Core Technology
• Ultra-Realistic Profile
• Advanced Multi-color Injected Laminate
• Sizes: 3.3 inch, 3.8 inch, 4.3 inch
• Package Count: 3.3-inch – 4, 3.8-inch – 3, 4.3-inch – 2
• 8 colors

Employing state-of-the-art Injected Core Technology (ICT), the LIVETARGET Shad heralds a paradigm shift in traditional swimbait design. This advanced technology integrates realistic anatomical features—such as lifelike eyes, precisely sculpted scales, fins, lateral line, and body profile—into a dynamic inner core. The unique injection laminate process enhances the inner core with intricate, multi-colored metallic layers encapsulated within a clear, durable exoskeleton. The three-dimensional effect generated by ICT allows light to refract throughout the entire lure, significantly enhancing its lifelike appearance underwater.

The meticulous combination of a richly detailed inner core and a translucent outer layer ensures that the LIVETARGET Shad not only achieves exceptional realism but also maintains superior functionality. ICT guarantees that the lure delivers unmatched action in the water, attracting oversized bass with its natural appearance and movement.

Available in three sizes—4.5 inches, 5.5 inches, and 6.5 inches—the LIVETARGET Shad offers unparalleled versatility in depth, speed control, and fishability. While it excels at covering open water, it is particularly adept at dissecting areas believed to hold big fish. Central to its superior action is the unique oscillator tail, molded from a transparent exoskeleton. This design imparts a fluid side-to-side swimming motion and a complementary head wobble without compromising the lure’s natural appearance. Encased in this transparent shell, the inner core perfectly mimics a live shad, ensuring that bass focus on the authentic profile of the baitfish rather than the action-generating oscillator tail.

Rigging the LIVETARGET Shad is both straightforward and efficient, thanks to features such as a split belly and dorsal fin, which allow for effortless hook concealment and optimal penetration upon a strike. The hook slot on the back facilitates a weedless presentation, enabling anglers to skip the lure under docks, overhangs, and laydowns with minimal snagging risk. The open mouth design accommodates a twist-lock, and a keel-weighted swimbait hook fits snugly in the belly cavity, ensuring secure attachment and optimal presentation.

With its combination of ICT inner core and exoskeleton the LIVETARGET Shad is both soft and durable, capable of withstanding repeated catches without tearing or losing its vibrant coloration.

Available in eight colors and three sizes, this shad-imitating swimbait boasts unmatched realism and is best paired with a 6/0 to 12/0 Mustad AlphaPoint Infiltrator Weighted Swim Hook. Sold unrigged with a MSRP of $9. 99 .

Shad Features

• Injected Core Technology
• Ultra-Realistic Profile
• Advanced Multi-color Injected Laminate
• Sizes: 4.5 inch, 5.5 inch, 6.5 inch
• Package Count: 4.5 inch – 3, 5.5-inch – 3, 6.5-inch – 2
• 8 colors

Many fishermen target the outskirts of dense vegetation to avoid constantly clearing hooks of weed and debris. However, the biggest bass typically hunker down in the thickest cover.  Flourishing vegetation can make some bass seem unreachable, but the all-new LIVETARGET Freestyle Frog 2.0 delivers the perfect profile, buoyancy, action, and weedless rigging that
anglers need to excel in these challenging environments.

The Freestyle Frog features LIVETARGET’s Injected Core Technology (ICT), which represents a paradigm shift in soft-plastic lure development. This unique injection laminate process creates a detailed, anatomically accurate frog profile with multi-colored metallic hues encased in a translucent exoskeleton. This combination not only enhances the lure’s realism but also ensures unmatched action and durability.

Amid its lifelike profile, one of the standout features of the Freestyle Frog is its buoyancy.  Unlike hollow-body frog lures that can take on water and sink after repeated casting, the
Freestyle Frog remains on the water’s surface. This natural buoyancy enhances the lure’s action at any retrieval speed, with legs that kick and stride with every twitch of the rod tip.

Though primarily designed as a topwater lure, the Freestyle Frog is extremely versatile. It combines the excitement of a surface bait with the search capabilities of a buzzbait and the weedless advantages of a Texas-rigged soft plastic. Whether you’re flipping it toward lily pads or laydowns along shorelines, skipping it under docks, or striding it across open water, the Freestyle Frog proves equally appealing to bass in various scenarios.

When targeting largemouth in close quarters, most anglers first reach for the 2- or 2.5-inch Freestyle Frog because it attracts bass of all sizes. By holding the rod tip high and slowly turning the reel handle, the frog strides effortlessly across the surface. Alternatively, you can pop and pause the Freestyle Frog, letting its lifelike legs quiver at rest while nearby bass contemplate the best angle of attack. For those strictly targeting larger fish or fishing in windy, choppy waters, the 3-inch Freestyle Frog is ideal. Its clear exoskeleton provides the advantage of a bigger bait with a smaller profile, presenting a noticeable target for bass without spooking them with an overly bulky appearance.

Equipped with a single hook in the belly, the Freestyle Frog lands upright and rests flat after each cast. Upon a strike, the one-piece hollow body compresses easily, ensuring effective hook sets not typical of traditional frog lures. The combination of the inner core and exoskeleton creates a lure that is both supple and durable, capable of withstanding repeated catches without tearing or losing its vibrant coloration.

Available in eleven colors and three sizes, the Freestyle Frog pairs best with 4/0, 5/0, or 6/0 EWG Mustad Infiltrator hooks and can also be used with a double-prong hook. Sold unrigged,
the Freestyle Frog has an MSRP of $9. 99 , making it a valuable addition to any angler’s tackle box.

Freestyle Frog 2.0 Features
• Injected Core Technology
• Ultra-Realistic Profile
• Advanced Multi-color Injected Laminate
• Sizes: 2 inch, 2.5 inch, 3 inch
• Package Count: 2 inch – 3, 2.5-inch – 3, 3-inch – 5
• 11 colors

New Shadtron LT merges realism & durability with cutting-edge line-through hook system

Exactly one year ago, Z-Man® innovations in swimbait design nullified previous hookset and hardiness standards immediately, as the Mulletron LT (line-through) shined the spotlight on a new swimbait archetype, winning the 2024 ICAST Best Saltwater Soft Lure award, and showing Florida and the world what was possible when smart lure-making melded with 10X Tough ElaZtech®.

New for 2025, the Z-Man Shadtron LT has shifted the swimbait paradigm once again. Visually stunning and seemingly primed to flop out of your hand, the Shadtron LT exhibits all the realism of a live shad, while a groundbreaking dual line-through system empowers incredible upticks in hookset success and holding power to the nth degree.

“Empowered by its soft, buoyant, durable ElaZtech body and precision line-through harness, the Shadtron LT is perfectly balanced to maintain a natural, upright posture at all times— including on the freefall and at rest on the bottom,” notes Z-Man Director of Product Development Jose Chavez.

A true-to-nature shad-mimicking swimbait in 4.5- and 6-inch sizes, Shadtron LT is equipped with an industry-first over/under line-through harness that allows for both dorsal rigging with an included single hook or belly rigging with a treble hook (not included). “The result is a high-performance swimbait that affords optimal fish-hooking and holding performance in all conditions,” adds Chavez.

“Some pretty impressive engineering went into the Shadtron’s internal Y-harness, giving anglers the best of both worlds,” suggests Z-Man pro Luke Clausen. “If I’m swimming the bait around laydowns, docks or vegetation, I’ll rig up with the single hook, which allows the Shadtron to swim cleanly through heavier cover, bouncing off rocks and logs with ease. Or, for fishing open water or for smallmouth or spotted bass, I’ll deploy the belly treble and skyrocket my hookset stats.

“And because both hook systems allow the bait to slide up the line and out of the way after a hookset, even the gnarliest headshakes are negated, so you land almost every bass that eats,” adds Clausen.

Chavez elaborates: “We wanted to arm anglers with the ultimate two-way swimbait hook system, which meant constructing our line-through harness a little differently.”

Topside, Chavez notes, the Shadtron LT is equipped with a specialized hook pocket and harness that stations a custom, heavy-duty 3/0 (4.5”) or 5/0 (6”) sickle-shaped, black nickel needlepoint hook parallel to the dorsal fin.

“The harness is designed so the hook slides in and sits recessed within the bait’s spine,” explains Chavez. “Thread your line through the bait’s nose and out the slot, tying to the single hook. Pull the line tight and the hook clicks back into place, giving the whole bait a clean, seamless appearance, like a molded-in jighead. Hook eye and knot are recessed and completely protected inside the bait. But when a fish eats the Shadtron and attempts to dislodge the hook, the bait body slides up the line, where fish can’t leverage its weight to come unbuttoned.”

The Shadtron LT is already producing big bites in Florida and everywhere shad land on the largemouth menu.

Alternatively, to utilize the secondary belly line channel and a treble hook, Chavez suggests folding a crease in the fishing line, inserting it into the nose in a downward orientation and back out the lower exit point. Tie to a treble hook of your choice and click the shank into the specialized friction clip, which positions the treble parallel to the bait for a stealthy, seamless presentation. When the hook sets, force from a fish releases the hook from the Shadtron’s body, allowing for a pure, unencumbered fight to the net.

To assure predators engulf the bait without hesitation, Z-Man sculpted the Shadtron’s physique with anatomical precision and true-to-life photo-printed and hand-painted eye, scale, gill and fin patterning. Beneath the surface, the Shadtron springs to action like a live shad, subtly tail-thrusting itself through strike zones, activating at the slowest retrieve speeds.

Generating the most realistic shad-swimming action attainable, the Shadtron’s rounded wedge-shaped tail empowers a versatile range of motions—from slow-roll to escape velocity. Further imitating the locomotion of a live shad, the Shadtron swims with minimal body roll and just a hint of head wag—all in the name of persuading eagle-eyed predators.

“The ability to reel a swimbait like the Shadtron extra slow—especially effective in cooler water—and then to accentuate its side flashes with twitches of the rodtip . . . these are killer moves to trick big, educated bass that follow but otherwise hesitate to bite,” explains Clausen. “I’m also digging the bait’s flat sides, which let me skip it under cover like the perfect pancake rock.”

“Anglers will absolutely appreciate the Shadtron’s two sizes and two rates-of-fall,” he continues. “In shallower water and in environments with slightly larger shad, the meaty 6-inch size in Slow Sink draws a ton of attention from bass of all sizes. For deeper water or off-structure, try the Fast Sink, 4.5-incher, which is like a cheat code for smallmouths, spots or for painting a nice solid mark on forward-facing sonar.”

From Florida’s big bass lakes to TVA reservoirs and beyond, the new Z-Man Shadtron LT mimics the bass’ most prolific meal on every level. Available in November, the Shadtron LT features two sizes and rates of fall (ROF)—4.5- and 6-inch sizes in both Slow Sink (ROF 5) and Fast Sink (ROF 12). Offered in eight lifelike photo-printed and hand-painted color schemes, each Shadtron pattern was ascribed by input from top Z-Man pros. MSRP $12.99 (4.5”) and $15.99 (6”).

For a first look at the new Z-Man Shadtron LT, visit Z-Man at the 2024 ICAST show (booth #4808 or On the Water media expo, 10am to 2pm on Tuesday, June 16), or at the New Product Showcase (Freshwater Soft Lure.)

What if you had full control over where, when and how much attractant you put in your lures?

What if you could experiment with this attractant dosage and get dialed in on exactly what the fish want on any given day?
Now you can … with the new BaitFuel Injector Kit. BaitFuel — the revolutionary fishing scent that has dominated the market for the past few seasons — can now be injected into your soft plastic lures.

There’s actual science behind BaitFuel, and genius behind the BaitFuel Injector Kit. Why just dose your lures with the most powerful attractant ever devised when you can put the secret sauce inside where it will slowly and gradually disperse, more effectively and efficiently working its magic?

There’s simply no better way to put the fishing odds in your favor.

Each BaitFuel Injector Kit comes with 4 reusable vials prefilled with BaitFuel.

It debuts at ICAST. Look for it in the New Product Showcase and in the American Baitworks booth (#1623).

OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI — May 7, 2024 — American Baitworks is proud to announce the launch of the BaitFuel Freshwater Hardbait Stick, an innovative addition to our lineup of fish attractant products and the secret to Justin Hamner’s 2024 Bassmaster Classic win.

The BaitFuel Hardbait Stick is setting a new standard in fishing technology. The Hardbait Stick is designed to be easily rubbed onto any lure to take scent where it has never gone before- on a hard bait. Your crankbaits, jerk baits, topwater baits, and even spinnerbaits can now use the added advantage of BaitFuel Scent Technology.

Innovative Features for Enhanced Fishing
Packed into a convenient 0.5 oz twist-up tube for easy, mess-free application, the BaitFuel Hardbait Stick offers hundreds of uses from a single tube. It is SUPERCHARGED with F.A.S.T. (Fish Active Scent Technology), scientifically engineered to stimulate a fish’s predator instinct, which leads to more bites and longer hold times.

BaitFuel’s powerful attractants and taste enhancers, ensure effectiveness cast after cast. Designed to revolutionize the use of scents in fishing, the Hardbait Stick can be easily applied to any smooth-sided bait where a liquid or gel-based attractant will not stick.

Availability
The BaitFuel X55 Freshwater Hardbait Stick’s first full production run is now shipping and will soon be available at local retailers everywhere, offering anglers the most innovative new product in fishing scent technology.

About American Baitworks
American Baitworks Co. is a leader in the fishing tackle industry, known for innovative fishing products and a steadfast commitment to quality. With a portfolio including NetBait, Halo Fishing, Snag Proof, Scum Frog, Freedom Tackle, and BaitFuel., American Baitworks is innovating the fishing experience for anglers worldwide.

For more information on BaitFuel visit www.baitfuel.com.

PR Contact:
Valerie Dixon
Marketing Operations Manager
valeried@americanbaitworks.com
844-466-5738

BEMIDJI, Minn. (February 8, 2024) – Question: What do you get when you add a specially-designed willow blade, top-notch terminal tackle connections, and a unique, proven, walleye-catching jig head?

Answer: Northland Fishing Tackle®’s Deep-Vee Spin, new for 2024, which supplements the winning Deep-Vee Jig with added visual appeal, vibration, and sonics.

Sure, jigs with spinners aren’t anything new. In fact, Northland was one of the first to offer spinner-adorned jigs with the Whistler Jig decades ago, followed by the Thumper Jig, and later, Fire-Ball Spin Jig.

And there’s been a rush by bass anglers to purchase the recently-introduced Smeltinator^® Underspin Jig, a variation of the 2023 Bassmaster Classic Winning spin-less Northland Smeltinator® Jig.

But we’re talking walleyes, and while all these historical baits still catch fish, Northland bait designers and pros worked hard to produce something new that ‘eyes haven’t seen, felt, or heard—a bait that has proven itself over the past year with expert beta-testers.

DEEP-VEE SPIN JIG (WALLEYE)

DESIGN: DEEP-VEE SPIN

Via the addition of a willow blade to the walleye-proven Deep-Vee Jig, the Deep-Vee Spin offers more flash, vibration, and sound than any walleye jig on the market. Sporting the keeled “Deep-Vee” design that’s thicker on the top and thin on the bottom to track straight and fall fast, it also features large eyes that exude a “match-the-hatch” realism. And fished with live bait or plastics, the Deep-Vee’s Barb-Wire® keeper keeps your bait from going anywhere.

SHOWALTER: OPEN-WATER RIVER PLAYS NOW INTO SPRING

Big walleye hunter, Michael Showalter, guides summer through fall in Ontario but fishes stateside on the Mississippi and St. Croix during midwinter thaws, spring, and late fall. He put the Deep-Vee Spin through the paces last to positive results.

“With river walleye fishing, everybody knows you need some sun to activate the bite; they’re very neutral on dark days. When the river is a little bit dingy and you’ve got some low clouds mixed with heavier current, the Deep-Vee Spin really shines. The fish can feel it in their lateral line and the extra vibration gets more bites over a standard jig.”

Coupled with a  Eye-Candy 3.5” Paddle Shad in a host of colors—two of his favorite river plastics patterns being Purple Gill with its chartreuse bottom and purple top for visibility or white to closely mimic shad. Showalter fishes mostly ¼-ounce Deep-Vee Spin Jigs during the day, switching to 3/8-ounce as he continues to fish after-dark.

“When it hits primetime, I’ll slow roll the 3/8-oz size. The heavier jig swims faster back to the boat, coming up current. If there’s no current, I’ll throw a 1/8.”

In terms of river locations, Showalter likes to park ahead of wingdams, scanning areas from numerous angles with forward-facing sonar, followed by precise pitches and retrieves.

“I typically pitch the Deep-Vee Spin, let it hit bottom, give it two reel cranks, let it fall back to bottom—or what I’ve found to be best on the river this year, is just super-slow-rolling it back to the boat, keeping it above their heads, and they come up and hammer it. They’re so used to shad being above them, which don’t relate to bottom like a lot of other minnows. So, I pop it off bottom, more like a fast lift, hold my rod tip high, and then let the jig fall. I like doing that when there’s no wind—and when there’s wind, I keep my rod tip low and use one or two reel cranks, using my boat as a windbreak.”

SHOWALTER’S RIVER CONFIDENCE COLORS

“What’s been a killer for us—especially at night on the river—is the Deep-Vee Spin Jig in Chartreuse, with its glow paint and white and chartreuse willow blade. It’s been phenomenal,” offers Showalter.

During the day, Showalter switches between the White Deep-Vee Spin Jig with silver blade or Black with gold blade. “Honestly, the black head and gold blade is my daytime favorite.”

BRO ON SPINNING NATURAL LAKE WALLEYES

“Especially in bog-stained lakes, I do well with the Deep-Vee Spin. And from the dark run-off on the Rainy River last spring to fall lakes with algae dying, the jig caught fish,” says veteran Minnesota guide, Brian “Bro” Brosdahl, who also tested the Deep-Vee Spin throughout 2023.

“While testing, I’d mark fish, throw a conventional jig at ‘em, didn’t catch anything, then grabbed the Deep-Vee Spin and got the fish to bite,” comments Bro.

“The reflective part of the spinner really flashes, but not too much to scare fish off. It’s subtle enough for all walleye waters—dirty to gin clear.”

The bait’s versatility is what Bro likes most about the Deep-Vee Spin.

“You can drag them behind the boat like a spinner rig trolling forward or back, tipped with a half ‘crawler or fathead when everybody’s dragging bullet sinkers and spinner rigs,” offers Bro.

And he spent plenty of time pitching it throughout the season, too – shallow to deep – threaded with a Northland Eye-Candy Paddle Shad, Minnow, Grub, or Jig Crawler.

“You get into that reactionary summer bite and the extra flash triggers big, lethargic walleyes. That’s pretty cool,” concludes Bro.

WHITE

BLACK

FIRETIGER

SUNRISE

WATERMELON

BUBBLEGUM

CHARTREUSE

PINK

PARROT

MOONLIGHT

PURPLEDESCENT

O’BERT ON THE RAINY RIVER RUN

Like Showalter and Bro, fishing guide Donnie O’Bert had the chance to put the Deep-Vee Spin through the paces over the course of 2023.

“Last year I had Deep-Vee Spin prototypes for the spring Rainy River run,” says O’Bert. “And they caught fish from day one.” (The Rainy River is a border water between Minnesota and Ontario.)

“The spinner gives walleyes something to home in on in stained river waters. While testing, I was fishing 1/8- and ¼-ounce on the Rainy. When pitching them with an Eye-Candy Paddle Shad, if the ¼-ounce wasn’t heavy enough to get down, the walleyes weren’t there anyway.”

“I started with gold bladed models, moved to silver, then brighter colors mixed with white. As far as jighead colors go, I give gave of my guide clients something different and let the fish dictate. If Brenda kept getting whacked with chartreuse and white, I’d change Bill and Bob over to what she was using.”

O’Bert’s confidence Rainy River Deep-Vee Spin color? Purpledescent with a silver willow blade.

“I’m a big believer in purple. And black. I think walleyes just key in on them. For me, I’ll start and end the Rainy River seasons with a Purpledescent Deep-Vee Spin with a 3 1/2” Eye-Candy Paddle Shad in Purple Shad—sometimes Firecracker, which has a lot of purple in it.”

PITCHING, DRAGGING, & TUMBLING

O’Bert starts his Rainy River routine locating fish with electronics, Spot-Locking into position, then pitching 1/8 oz. Deep-Vee Spin jigs into the current, letting the bait swing down into the fish, pulling his line tight to activate the paddletail and spinner. Depending on current speed, O’Bert pitches straight off the back of the boat or at 45-degrees.

“I’ll pitch the bait, make a couple of rod sweeps, then close the bail and let the river current pull it tight. It’s similar to pitching current seams, but you can run the same approach anywhere on the river where you find fis,h as long as your line sweeps back around behind the boat and across fish,” adds O’Bert.

A second method involves dragging ¼ oz. Deep-Vee Spin jigs upstream at 0.3 to 0.4 mph, suspending the bait in the strike zone without touching bottom.

“Our third method is the antithesis of what every river walleye fisherman thinks works,” says O’Bert. “My buddy stumbled onto it, and we call it ‘tumbling.’ He casts upstream and just pops his rod tip and lets the paddletail tumble down river and every time it hits bottom he pops it again. Makes no sense to me, but on the days when pitching and dragging does not work, tumbling can be effective.”

EYE-CANDY PADDLE SHAD

Deep-Vee Spin FEATURES:

• Thumper Willow Blade adds flash & vibration for added attraction
• Keeled “Deep-Vee” design tracks straight, falls fast
• Realistic 3D eyes “match-the-hatch” and entice strikes
• Barb-Wire^® keeper locks on soft plastics or live bait
• Available in 12 colors, 8 of which are GLOW variations
• Various Willow Blade non-GLOW & GLOW colors: Gold; Silver; White/Chart.; Pink/Chart.; Purple/Blue/White; & Green/White
• Four sizes available: (1/16 oz. – #2 hook); (1/8 oz. – 1/0 hook); (1/4 oz. – 2/0 hook); (3/8 oz. – 3/0 hook)

MSRP: $7.49/ two per card

“Berkley is the leader in science-based bait development, and we take pride in providing anglers with the best solution to help them catch fish in any environment,” said Berkley’s Chief Brand and Product Officer Jon Schlosser. “We’ve known that forward-facing sonar was coming and have spent the past few years learning about the trend in anticipation of it catching on. Its impact on how anglers are approaching fisheries is advancing each day, and we at Berkley have made a conscious effort to take on the responsibility of providing those anglers with the best baits possible to interact with fish on forward-facing sonar. By taking our science-based approach to bait development and applying it to FFS the team at Berkley Labs has been able to create some truly special baits that are proven to catch more fish with FFS. It’s exciting to see how revolutionary these baits are, not only in their design, but in how they enable anglers to manipulate their baits in ways that have never been done before.”

Berkley Krej

With it’s innovative, upturned bill the Berkley Krej is one of the most unique baits anglers will see on the market this year. This revolutionary hard bait was designed to mimic the natural, upwards fleeing reaction of a baitfish from predatory strike. Contrary to conventional methods of fishing a jerkbait, the upturned bill of the Berkley Krej (that’s “Jerk” spelled backwards) allows it to work its way upwards in the water column, only to fall backwards towards the fish chasing the bait. Purposefully designed in Berkley Labs to excel with forward-facing sonar, this new style of fishing, or “krejing”, allows the angler to take advantage of being able to see how the fish reacts and work the bait up and away from the fish to better imitate a natural fleeing motion, or back towards the fish to trigger reaction strikes.

“The Krej is a bait that performs like no other hard bait, especially when paired with forward-facing sonar,” said Berkley’s Senior Project Engineer of Bait and Terminal Tackle, Dan Spengler. “It’s a bait that took over two years to develop, integrating key bait fish movements and predator-induced prey reactions like darting, erratic motion behavior, and changes in motion. Whether it’s on the rise or fall, the Krej is always in action. We implemented an upturned bill which allows this bait to conquer the water column in a way a standard jerkbait cannot, but yet it can do so much more than that. There are several ways to manipulate this bait to interact with fish and it gives anglers a solution to the current gaps when using forward-facing sonar.”

KEY FEATURES

Upturned bill delivers unique ascending & darting action when worked.
Backwards fall on pause (backslide) allows the angler to maintain presence in the strike zone longer and provides a triggering mechanism for reaction bites.
Combination of ascending action and backslide on the fall maximizes angler control & time in the strike zone.
Bait can be fished sub-surface or topwater to best imitate the natural progression of predator & prey.
Optimized for use with forward-facing sonar
Sinking (1ft / sec)
Sizes: 100mm
Colors: Blue Vapor • Stealth Shad • Stealth Minnow • Wakasagi • Chrome • OG Blue • Table Rock • Hankie Pankie • Nebu • Stunna Shad

MSRP: $14.99
Available: January, 2024

Berkley Finisher

Purpose-built for forward-facing sonar, the Finisher optimizes the bait’s time in the strike zone by “hovering” and moving laterally in the water column with minimal retrieve progression. This unique ability provides the angler with maximum control when using FFS to effectively maneuver the bait based on how the fish is reacting to it.

Whether fishing it like a modern style, fin-less glide bait for walleye or like jerk bait for bass, the Finisher delivers strike producing action day in and day out when attacking the various scenarios that forward-facing sonar unlocks. Its’ weight-forward design allows for precision casts, fast drop-ins and a wide range of actions that will draw a strike out of the moodiest fish. The modern finless double-treble design brings the Finisher to the forefront of modern hard bait design for fit, finish and performance.

“The Finisher is the first of its kind, a hovering hard bait we call it,” said Spengler. “It truly gives anglers ultimate control of their bait. Being able to manipulate it in several ways based on what fish are responding to, especially when pairing this bait with forward-facing sonar. What makes this bait unique is that it has no fin structure, which can allow it to do a multitude of actions. From erratic darting to natural minnow-like tail movement, what makes the Finisher deadly is its flat bottom which allows it to hover or hang in the water column. A bait with such diversity truly allows anglers to have control of how they’re interacting with fish on forward-facing sonar.”

KEY FEATURES

Pro Tip: Use subtle wrist snaps for medium glide. Long, harder strokes will produce longer darting and gliding actions.
Optimized for use with forward-facing sonar, giving the angler the control to put the bait where, when and how they want it to generate strikes.
Multiple ways to fish – like a glide bait for walleye, a sinking jerk bait for bass, or stroll it along the mid-water column.
Unique, meandering swim action on the fall, paired with body quiver/shimmy
Un-matched, minnow-like, tail swing when returning to center (resting position)
Ultra-premium colors and texture
Built to excel in casting or vertical presentations
Cover the water column vertically, laterally, and forwards/backwards
Arc-shaped body paired with a flattened belly allows anglers full control in the water column, allowing the bait to “hover” in position while being worked.
Perpendicular line-tie maintains knot locked and in position every time
Features two Fusion19 treble hooks for maximum hook-up ratios
Sizes: 5cm • 7cm • 9cm
Colors: Chrome Red Perch • Wakasagi • Blue Smelt • Bad Anaconda • Black Gold • Black Silver • Chrome • Chrome Perch • Crazy Steel • French Pearl • Gold Chrome • MF Firetiger • Nebu • OG Blue • Perch • Pink Pearl • Prime Time • Purple Slime • Stealth Shad • Sunset 84

MSRP: $8.99 – $10.99
Available: January, 2024

Berkley PowerBait Power Switch

Built to interact with fish on forward-facing sonar, the Berkley PowerBait Power Switch gives anglers the control to “switch” methods or react to how the fish are behaving or the structure they see.

When a fish is located using forward-facing sonar, the window to catch the fish begins, and that window will close fast. Anglers need to react and present their bait as quickly and precisely as possible. The weight-forward design of the PowerBait Power Switch allows for precision casts, fast fall rates and a wide range of actions to make the most finicky of fish commit to biting. With such a design, it allows anglers to have total control, and the ability to interact with any fish at any depth in the water column utilizing a variety of “hover” and “stroll” techniques. Packed with PowerBait flavor and pre-rigged with a Fusion19 hook to ensure a positive hook-up ratio for every angler, the Power Switch’s baitfish design will appeal to a wide range of species, making it a bait to always have tied on and at the ready.

“The Berkley PowerBait Power Switch is one of the first baits that incorporates several different actions and techniques into one bait,” said Berkley’s Project Engineer of Bait, Kyle Peterson. “This bait can sink fast, hover at the angler’s desired water column, with each action working together in one profile. It gives anglers everything they need to best interact with fish, especially when paired with forward-facing sonar.”

KEY FEATURES

• Purpose-built for forward-facing sonar and ultimate angler control
• Heavy, weight-forward design allows for precision casts and fast sinking
• Control the fall rate or pause the fall with the new hovering technique
• On retrieve, “switch” techniques and actions whenever and however you want
• Packed with PowerBait flavor ensuring you have the chance to set the hook on every bite
• Natural baitfish profile and 3D eyes
• Pre-rigged with a high-quality, sharp Fusion19 hook
• Available in a range of sizes to accommodate all freshwater game species
• Available in standard, HD Tru Color and holographic “wizard” colors
Sizes: 1.75-inch • 2.5-inch • 3-inch • 3.5-inch • 4.25-inch • 5-inch
Colors: Clown • Firetiger • Green Pumpkin • HD Blacknose Shiner • HD Purple Wizard • HD Pink Wizard • Wonderbread • HD Blue Wizard • HD Red Belly Goby • HD Stealth Minnow • HD White Wizard • HD Yellow Perch • Lemon Head Glow • Silver Bullet

MSRP: $9.99
Available: September, 2023

To learn more about Berkley, click here.

###

About Pure Fishing
Pure Fishing is a collection of the world’s favorite fishing brands. Every day, all around the world, someone experiences the joy of catching a fish with one of our products. From gear for epic battles at sea to a relaxing day with family at the lake, our portfolio includes the most recognized and admired brands in fishing tackle, lures, rods, reels and storage. Abu Garcia®, Berkley®, DAM®, Fenwick®, Fin-Nor®, Frabill®, Greys®, Hardy®, Hodgman®, Johnson®, JRC®, Madcat®, Mitchell®, Penn®, Pflueger®, Plano®, Prologic®, Savage Gear®, Shakespeare®, SpiderWire®, Stren®, Ugly Stik® and Van Staal®.

Media Contacts
Bailey Eigbrett – Gunpowder, Inc.
(585) 278-6869 or baileye@gunpowderinc.com

Ben Anderson – Gunpowder, Inc.
(612) 655-1122 or bena@gunpowderinc.com

Coupled with the extremely buoyant, soft, and extraordinarily durable Duratech plastic, the Tough Toad allows anglers to keep it floating even when standing completely still. Perfectly fit for a jig trailer or fished weedless as a topwater bait, the Tough Toad delivers unmatched realism, performance, and value any angler can appreciate.

KEY FEATURES
• Based on 3D scans from a real toad
• Duratech 12x tough TPE for increased durability
• Updated Z-hook design (3 hooks per pack)
• Floating solid body for no water intrusion

Sizes: 3.5-inch
Colors: Green Frog • Albino Flash • Green Pumpkin • Green Pumpkin Chartreuse • June Bug • Black • Tan Frog • Black and Blue Flake
MSRP: $8.99 (includes 3pcs/pack)
Available: September 2023

Rage Hawk is 3.25” and features a super compact profile, with two Rage arms extending from the side of the bait. It is able to fit up to a 5/0 hook in its smaller body style, increasing hook up ratios and presenting fish with the perfect, snack–sized bite for finicky bass. “The Rage Hawk packs a big punch. It’s an awesome option for when you’re getting a lot of short strikes or just want to show them something different,” says Andy Montgomery, MLF Bass Pro Professional Angler.

Rage Luau Craw is built from the body of the most famous craw–shaped soft bait in the world – Strike King’s Rage Craw. With the addition of a soft plastic skirt to the tip of the Rage Craw, the team at Strike King successfully designed the first “luau–style” soft bait of its kind, surprising fish with something they’ve never seen before. “[Rage] Luau Craw was built to party, if you know what I mean. You can pitch it, flip it, Texas rig it… it has no limits,” says Greg Hackney, Bassmaster Elite Series Professional Angler.

Along with the introduction of Rage Hawk and Rage Luau Craw, Strike King has also released the popular Rage Scounbug in a bulkier size. “In my opinion, the Scounbug is the perfect soft plastic bait for every application… period. You can pitch it, flip it, cast it, Carolina rig it, and man is it good as a jig/swim jig trailer!” says Mark Rose.

A perfect match for any Rage Tail soft plastic, Strike King also introduces the new Tour Grade Rage Swimmin’ Head is built with an exceptional keeper to hold your soft bait in place. The lower keeper extends the weight of the jighead throughout the belly of the swimbait, allowing the bait to swim perfectly horizontal with the surface of the water. “I spend a lot of time with a swimbait in my hand – specifically a Rage Swimmer. We built this head to be the ultimate Rage Swimmer jighead,” says Tristan McCormick, Professional Angler.

MSRP:

Rage Plastics: $6.99
Tour Grade Rage Swimmin’ Head: $5.99 for pack of 3

“The Bomba 3.5 is a simple bait but extremely deadly because of its subtle action and amazing castability. I love that you can use it on a spinning or bait casting setup, and it is basically snag resistant. It will be used by pros on tour to novices catching their first bass in a pond,” says John Crews, BASS pro angler and Missile Baits owner.

The Bomba 3.5 will come in the same 8 colors with some tried and true Missile colors but also a few brand-new colors like Candy Crushed and Green Pumpkin Diablo. The Bomba 3.5 will have 6 baits per bag for a suggested retail of $5.69. Grab the Bomba 3.5 when you need to go finesse but still want an easy bait to cast. The Bomba 3.5 should be available to ship July 24, 2023.

Missile Baits is also adding to their Spunk Shad offerings to build on theirpartnership with Hog Farmer Baits. Missile Baits will be adding the Spunk Shad 3.5 size option to the 4.5 and 5.5 in the same 6 colors plus two more Missile colors. The new colors of Bombshell and Superbug will be available in all 3 size options of the Spunk Shads. The new Spunk Shad offerings should be available to ship in September 2023.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (June 8, 2023) – There’s no question that the big bait trend is the strongest it has ever been. Anglers have been asking for Berkley to join the movement and Berkley has answered the call. With the new Berkley PowerBait CullShad – more big bass are being caught than ever before. There’s also no question that the perfect shallow water harnessed swimbait doesn’t exist…until now.

The PowerBait CullShad produces immediately for anglers, as seen at the 2023 Major League Fishing REDCREST where the bait created a craze amongst many competitors, as well as on social media. Through countless design iterations, feedback generation, and testing the CullShad answers the call providing a solution to many of the frustrations anglers experience with harnessed swimbaits. In addition, the CullShad brings the added benefit of taste to the category of large swimbaits. Infused with  Berkley’s famous and scientifically engineered taste of PowerBait it’s easy to see why the CullShad garnered fast praise from the pros.

For anglers looking to take their shallow water swim-baiting to a new level, the CullShad combines big profile drawing power with proprietary Honey Comb Technology for next-level action and durability. In addition, the smart weighting ability, hassle-free harness and hook clip ensures you’ve got the Berkley advantage on every cast. An advantage so strongly requested by anglers that Berkley moved up the production cycle to meet that demand.

KEY FEATURES
• PowerBait Honey Comb technology increases durability without sacrificing action
• Pre-rigged harness that comes ready to fish
• Swimbait body designed to reduce blowout and keep the bait running flawlessly at a variety of speeds – allowing the tail to kick at the slowest of speeds and the bait not blowing out at higher speeds.
• Smart weighting options that give anglers the ability to control the bait’s sink rate with the use of nail weights
• Hook retention clip that keeps the treble hook secured to body to allow for more efficient skipping
• First in class finish featuring painted and HD printed forage matching colorways

Sizes: 6-inch • 8-inch
Colors: Albino • Electric Shad • Ghost Morning Dawn • Green Pumpkin Pearl White • HD Blue Shad • HD Ghost Gizzard • HD Gizzard Shad • HD Rainbow Trout • HD Yellow Perch • Hitch • Lime Ice • Sight Flash
MSRP: $11.99 – 6-inch • $14.99 – 8-inch

Available: June 2023

“After all the bass I caught on the 6” Magic Worm last year, it was obvious that the worm is a winner. The Mini Magic is the natural progression for us to add. The Mini Magic is nasty on a drop shot when you need a smaller profile,but the big deal is that it is perfect on a drop shot wacky style. I promise you that I will be serving that combo when we go up north this summer,” says John Crews, BASS pro angler and Missile Baits owner.

The Mini Magic Worm will come in the same 12 totally unique colors as the 6” Magic Worm that only Roboworm can pour. Some of the top colors include Green Pumpkin Money, Junebug Dream, Missile Morning, and John’s Juice. Each bag will be loaded with 16 worms (2 more worms per bag than the 6”) for a suggested retail price of $10.99. First production run is here now.

Link to release: https://missilebaits.store/pages/missile-baits-making-mini-magic-worm

Product video link: https://youtu.be/HSfShR0ajbk

“The Spunk Shad is a great bait on a Chatterbait and I have thrown it for years. Hog Farmer makes a bunch of great baits but has limited distribution for their Spunk Shad. We think this partnership will be mutually beneficial for both companies,” says John Crews, BASS pro angler and Missile Baits owner.

The Spunk Shad from Missile Baits will be offered in the 4.5” and 5.5” sizes. Both sizes will come in 6 colors, most of which match perfectly with the most popular Chatterbait Jackhammer colors including Green Pumpkin Delight that looks seamless with the BHite Delight colored Jackhammer. The Spunk Shads will be packaged in Missile Baits bags and be available anywhere you find Missile Baits. The Spunk Shad 4.5” and 5.5” will retail for the same price as the Hog Farmer colors, which are $5.99 for the 4.5” and $6.19 for the 5.5”.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (September 20, 2022) – Berkley PowerBait infused baits are designed to give fish the exact flavor they crave, giving anglers more time to feel the fish bite and set the hook. With the addition of these new PowerBait shapes, packed with science-built features that can only come from Berkley Labs, the Berkley PowerBait Bonefish and PowerBait Curly Bones are truly something Walleye crave.

Both the PowerBait Bonefish and Curly Bones are designed with a heavy ribbed body and super thin tails to give a lifelike swimming action with little effort at slower speeds. The baitfish-like head design fits perfectly on Berkley Fusion19 Jigheads and excels when fished on a weighted swimbait hook or used on a dropshot rig.

The PowerBait Bonefish features a super thin paddle-style swimbait tail for erratic swimming action with minimal effort. The Curly Bones offers fish a different look with a vertically oriented thin ribbon tail and an activation tip to grab water and never stop moving, especially at slower speeds in cold water. Available in 12 walleye specific colors, these baits are loaded with fish catching PowerBait formula giving anglers the confidence to catch more fish.

Bonefish Key Features
• Minnow profile swimbait designed for high action at the slowest of speeds
• Heavy ribbed body allow the bait to catch more water and stay suspended longer in current or static water
• Super thin tail allows more erratic action at the slowest speeds, in low current or on the drop
• Hook slot allows for easy rigging and better hook ups
• Heavy ribs provide more surface area for more PowerBait flavor
• Great on Jighead, Weighted Swimbait Hook, or Drop Shot
• Bonefish available in 2.5-inch and 3.25-inch

Curly Bones Key Features
• Hybrid “Rib Worm” design produces high action at the slowest of speeds
• Heavy ribbed body allow the bait to catch more water and stay suspended longer in current or static water
• Super thin ribbon style tail features a vertical orientation and activation tip to grab water and never stop moving at the slowest speeds, in low current, on the bottom or on the drop
• Hook slot allows for easy rigging and better hook ups
• Heavy ribs provide more surface area for more PowerBait flavor
• Made for Jigs, but great on a Weighted Swimbait Hook, or Drop Shot
• Curly Bones available in 3-inch and 4-inch

Colors: Blown Motor • Citrus Punch • Citrus Blast • Gold Cracker/Chartreuse • Purple/Chartreuse • Firecracker/Chartreuse • White Ice • Oystershell • Pink Shad • Midnight Shine • Electric Blue/White • Peanut Butter & Jelly

MSRP: $5.99
Available: September 2022

COLUMBIA, S.C. (September 15, 2022) – Backed by more than 25 years of the scientific research and testing, Berkley PowerBait continues to innovate and find new ways to help anglers catch more fish. By creating flavors that fish find irresistible, the new Berkley PowerBait Shape 108 is no exception. As its name suggests, Shape 108 underwent 108 different renderings before the product development team believed it had all the features and action that Berkley soft plastics are known for.

Available in three different sizes and 14 colors, Shape 108 is built with “bird-wing” style pinchers that rotate with each flap creating a unique, bite-triggering action. Designed to be fished a variety of ways, the smashed and ribbed body provides extra surface area packed with PowerBait flavor to help ensure that when fish bite they don’t let go, allowing for a better hook-up ratio. Its 3-inch version has a slightly beefed-up body making it the perfect flapping craw for ned rigs and finesse jig applications.

Key Features
• “Bird-wing” style pinchers
• Fits perfectly on a jig
• Smashed body allows for better hookups when fished as a Texas rig or like techniques
• Ribbed upper body provides extra surface area for extreme PowerBait flavor
• Three sizes: 3-inch, 3.5-inch and 4-inch

Colors: Green Pumpkin • Black Blue Fleck • Watermelon • GOAT • Pearl White • Peanut Butter and Jelly • Bluegill Flash • June Bug • Hot Craw • Okeechobee Craw • California • Alabama Craw • Labatt • Blue Shiner Gold

MSRP: $6.99
Available: November 2022

COLUMBIA, S.C. (September 13, 2022) – Expanding on its popular line of tournament winning PowerBait MaxScent soft baits, the team at Berkley Labs continues to offer anglers new and innovative fish-catching shapes. The newest addition is the crazy cousin of the already popular Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Lil’ Trooper, the new Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Lil’ Super Trooper, which gives anglers a separate and unique finesse crawfish-style bait to catch more fish.

Infused with proven PowerBait MaxScent technology that is backed by science, the Lil’ Super Trooper has the action, scent and taste to lure fish in and keep them holding on longer. When the bite is tough and fishing pressure is high, a finesse presentation is key. On the pause, the pinchers flare out giving it a defensive crawfish look and the flat bottom shape allows it to glide to the bottom. Available in 10 colors, the 2.5-inch kicking crawfish-style bait is ideal for ned rigs and other finesse applications. The Lil’ Super Trooper is a diverse finesse soft bait that can also be used as a flapping trailer for smaller jig presentations.

Key Features
• Super kicking finesse claws provide action with any movement
• 2.5-inch compact crawfish imitation ideal for ned rig and finesse applications
• Pinchers flare out when paused imitating a defensive craw
• Back tail designed to pair with half-head and ned-style jig heads
• Flat bottom shape allows bait to glide
• Works as a trailer for smaller jigs

Colors: Green Pumpkin • Black Powder • Green Pumpkin w/ Watermelon • Watermelon Candy • Rusty Craw • Blue Pearl Black Hologram • Peanut Butter and Jelly • Watermelon Copper Orange w/ Red • Canada Eh’ Craw • Hot Craw

MSRP: $7.99
Available: September 2022

 First on the list, the next generation of finesse fishing has arrived.  The team at Strike King is pleased to introduce the new Filler Worm, the soft plastic drop shot worm finesse fans have been asking for.  Working with Strike King Pro and finesse legend Mark Zona, Strike King has crafted the Filler Worm with an extra wide, extra durable head, for withstanding hard fishing and multiple catches without tearing.  “No more losing a worm after one solid hookset,” offered the Michigan pro.   “With the Filler Worm’s wide noggin, Strike King has managed to really impact the strength and integrity of the plastic, a feature that tournament competitors will appreciate.”

A key feature of the Filler Worm is the Open Pour Technology that allows Strike King to develop realistic color patterns for a unique display.  With Open Pour Technology, the Filler Worm offers 15 striking, vibrant blends that mimic forage and entice fish.  For fishing in clear water, Zona favors Watermelon Red Flake and Green Pumpkin for the most natural presentation, while in stained water he often switches to Morning Dawn or Firecrawler for greater visibility.

Strike King’s enhanced pouring techniques also add additional fishing benefits for finicky fish and lethargic bites.  Zona explains: “Open Pour Technology allows us to insert a layer of salt-impregnated plastic along the base of the Filler Worm to keep it in an upright position on a drop shot rig. This gives the Filler Worm a lifelike presentation and offers a little extra flavor to keep a fish holding on.”

Next on the 2022 line-up, Strike King is pleased to introduce what is sure to become a must-have for ledge fishermen and deep structure enthusiasts, the Zeus Worm.  Ready for a battle, the Zeus Worm hits the ledges with 9.5-inches of fury and enough girth to make quite a scene in heavy cover.  The key feature of the big worm is the ribbon tail design, emitting a powerful action that is truly hard to ignore.  This worm is designed to excel on deep underwater ledges when you often need a bigger profile to get fish to react.

The Zeus pairs great with a 4/0 and 5/0 hook and excels at Carolina Rigging and Texas Rigging.  This worm fits perfectly on the business end of the Mag Jig Head, with its free-swinging Owner Twistlock, allowing the giant worm to give off plenty of life-like action.

For anglers who fish bigger profile worms but need to downsize a notch or two, the Zeus is marked off to be easily paired down to a 7-inch worm.  This gives anglers the option of offering a slightly shorter worm with the same great action as the bait has out-of-the-package.  Like a number of worms in the Strike King line-up, the Zeus Worm is engineered with the premium Perfect Plastics system, offering exceptional, striking color blends and the famous Strike King coffee scent that keeps fish holding on. With 12 colors to choose from and a MSRP of $6.99 you probably all of them!

Whether you are power fishing for aggressive feeders or finessing to coax a bite, Strike King has you covered.  When you hit the water in 2022, make sure you have the new Strike King Filler and the Zeus Worm tied on.

The Pintail Stick Slim’s unique, single slender tail provides more action than its predecessor, the Pintail Stick, no matter how still the bait’s body is fished. Small ticks, flutters and kicks wiggle into action anytime the lure is retrieved, floated or fished vertically. Try fishing the Pintail Stick rigged Neko, Wacky, Texas, or with a Midwest Finesse rig for action that drives finicky fish crazy.

Constructed of supreme quality Japanese soft plastic and infused with Amino Bite scent

that makes fish want to hang on, these are offered in 3.75 inch and five inch lengths. With more than a dozen colors to choose from, SPRO has anglers covered no matter the conditions on the water.   

SPRO Pintail Stick Features:

• High-quality Japanese plastic
• 5.5 inches Long
• Infused with Amino Bite Scent
• Fluttering Pin Tail action
• Heavy salt for easy casting and fast sink rate
• Perfect for Neko, Texas Rig, Shakey Head, or Whacky rigging
• Sold 6 per pack
• MSRP: $6.49

The CJ Smasher is offered in various colors to meet any angler’s needs, whether matching a fishery’s natural forage or adjusting for water clarity. This soft plastic is incredibly versatile and can be easily rigged in multiple practical configurations, including drop shot, shakey head, midwest finesse rig and Texas rig.

Poured using Dura Tuff material for longevity and value, each CJ Smasher is built to take the abuse of long days on the water and is sure to perform when hunting trophy fish. The Amino Bite scent attractant is integrated into the plastic, ensuring committed strikes from even the most finicky fish.

Available in packs of five, this worm is easily fished in weeds, rocky points and shot into cover or under docks where big fish live. The CJ Smasher is a versatile soft lure for any occasion.

CJ Smasher Features:

• Duratuff material
• Amino Bite Scent infused
• Best suited for drop shot, jig head, or Texas rig​
• Available in 10 colors

CJ Smasher Specifications:

• Length: 3” in.
• Pieces per pack: 5
• MSRP: $6.99

• Neko Rig
• Ned Rig
• Shakey Head
• Texas Rig
• Ballhead Rig
• Damiki Rig

Each SmashMouth body is digitally painted based on hand-designed colors by the award-winning, American lure designing legend, Andrew Gardner. The front end of the SmashMouth is engineered to maximize both popping action and water displacement to generate more bites while allowing the frog to track well when being worked aggressively in open water or through sparse cover. The versatility of the SnagProof SmashMouth makes it a MUST ADD to your frogging arsenal. Available in 12 color designs, the SmashMouth Popping Frog is the deal!

The Lollipop DS (Drop Shot) is infused with BaitFuel and is the go-to for a drop shot and other finesse techniques.

The Lollipop has a tapered body with an enlarged tail section giving this bait an authentic look that mimics virtually any baitfish. Available in all the fish-catching colors that mimic prey, the Lollipop DS is neutrally buoyant so, it can be fished in any situation where you want to keep the bait elevated off the bottom.

The key to the Launch Frog XS’ performance is the unique tungsten “parasite” weight system which adds weight without the bulk to the hook shank. This allows the Launch Frog XS to achieve long casting distances with a smaller body size. The Launch Frog XS gives you maximum distance in a smaller profile topwater frog while premium frog hooks and high compression body deliver the highest hook-up rate possible in a hollow body frog. The Launch Frog XS delivers a super-soft high compression wide-body design wrapped around a premium 5/0 double frog hook for maximum water displacement and buoyancy.

 The Launch Frog XS also takes advantage of the famous Scum Frog brass button rear-weight to maintain a nose-up frog profile critical to frog performance. Every Launch Frog XS is finished in a 40-strand premium silicone skirt.

The Crush Worm has quickly become the mainstay drop shot bait for a wide range of anglers. We recommend using an extremely subtle technique with minimal rod tip movement as it’s been proven, consistently that slight twitches and dead sticking of the Crush Worm optimize the bait’s performance. Finesse Fishing just got even better with the NetBait Crush Worm infused with BaitFuel giving it the triple threat of color, action, and powerful scent performance.