I don't have any Shimmy Shads..so I can't write a review of that bait.

I have owned a few baits from Reaction Innovations, and I have to bite my tongue when I speak about these folks. Heck, I see a wrapped boat on the FLW Series (and this guy might even be on the Tour) rockin the Reaction Strike. Amazes me because flat out, I think the products are junk and their business model is a joke. If Rob will let me rant, here goes:

1) Lets knock off baits, sell them cheaper and make some different sizes and call ourselves a player in the space. Nah, I call you ridiculous.

2) You can bet whatever new bait comes to market, here comes Reaction Strike a few months later with a knock off. I had to go look at their website, and wallah! That Revolution Shad sure looks like the BBZ-1 Shad. Coincidence, nah, this is their business model. You can go down their product line and match it up with an original.

3) Colors...apparently these guys need to have their eyes checked or something.

4) Pro Staff: At one time, I know guys like Brent Ehrler, Gabe Bolivar, Fred Rombanis, etc where onboard with these guys. I noticed they are no longer affiliated with these cats. No kidding, Brent, Gabe and Fred are WAY TOO DOWN to mess with these clowns. Who gives these guys input on baits? I mean, their baits swim so badly and are made with such lack of understanding in some cases its shocking. For example, could the top hook on their Bass Harassers stick out any further from the bait? Or is that a weedless design? :P

5) Innovation: Besides their skills at knocking off other baits, I'm not aware of any contribution to the bigbait community. The companies I respect, like Yamamoto, Reaction Innovations, Huddleston, 22nd Century, 3:16, MS Slammer....you can make clear and concise statements to their contributions to the sport, and you can point to your photo gallery and point to fish you've caught on their baits or speak to how they helped you and your fishing or opened new doors.

6) I have nothing against Indiana. I get the impression these guys have roots in pike/muskie style fishing, which is cool by me. I think they should focus in that market, because they are really out of their league in the trophy bass fishing/swimbait space. They just don't have expertise/experience in swimbaits for bass, period. I enjoyed reading Robs review, because Rob is a tell it like it is kind of guy. I love dead honest, call out BS when you see it, no sugar coat it style information. Don't kid yourself, buy the originals and leave these guys to newbies you are fishing against.

OK, I'm done.

Matt

southernswimbait.com
BigBait Fishing in the South