Berserk Shad 17cm Paddle Tail Swimbait
Berserk Shad 17cm Paddle Tail Swimbait
The Berserk Shad is a 17cm soft plastic swimbait built around a slim baitfish profile and a wide paddle tail that kicks hard even on a slow retrieve. The scale detail, gill plate, and translucent fin work give it a realistic look in the water that bass key in on when they are keyed on shad or other forage fish.
Rigged on a weighted swimbait hook or jig head, it swims true with a steady side-to-side roll and no rolling over, even at slower speeds. This makes it a strong choice for covering water on largemouth bass around points, drop-offs, and open flats, and it also draws strikes from smallmouth working deeper structure.
Specifications
| Type | Paddle tail swimbait, soft plastic |
| Length | 17cm (approx. 6.7 in) |
| Weight | 35g (approx. 1.25 oz) |
| Depth | Shallow to mid-depth, subsurface |
| Action | Steady rolling paddle tail kick |
| Hooks | Pairs with weighted swimbait hooks or internal jig heads (sold separately) |
| Best for | Largemouth and smallmouth bass, also pike and other predators |
How to fish it
- Rig on a weighted swimbait hook matched to the bait's size so it rides level and starts kicking immediately.
- Cast to points, flats, and drop-offs and use a slow, steady retrieve to let the paddle tail do the work.
- Add occasional pauses or a light rod twitch to trigger reaction strikes from following bass.
- Slow the retrieve down and fish it deeper on rocky or main lake structure when targeting smallmouth.
Frequently asked
Match the hook or jig head weight to the bait's 17cm size and the depth you want to fish, typically a 3/8 to 3/4 oz weighted swimbait hook works well for most bass applications.
The natural baitfish pattern with a yellow tail works well in clear to moderately stained water where bass are keying on shad or similar forage.
A medium-heavy casting or spinning rod with 12-17 lb fluorocarbon or 30-50 lb braid gives good control and hook-up power with a bait this size.
Yes, the realistic profile and steady swimming action work for both species, with smallmouth often responding well to a slower retrieve near deeper structure.