Soft Baits – Shads & Swimbaits

Shads and swimbaits are among the most reliable soft lures for predatory fish. They imitate a naturally swimming baitfish—the primary prey of most predators—and work year-round, both with slow and active retrieves. The real question is not whether they work, but which type to choose based on depth, fish activity, and conditions.

In this category you’ll find classic paddle-tail shads for universal use, as well as swimbaits and weedless system soft lures designed for cover, structure, and demanding conditions.

Basic classification of soft lures

Shads (paddle tail) – universal use

• Paddle-tail shads form the foundation of modern lure fishing and are the best-selling soft lures overall. The working tail creates a natural swimming action even at very slow speeds, yet still allows fast water coverage. They work all year and at all depths.
• Their biggest advantage is versatility—you can fish them on a jig head, weightless, on an offset hook, drop shot, and many other rigs. If you had to choose just one soft-lure category to cover most situations, shads would be it.
• KEITECH Easy Shiner is a proven starting choice that catches fish almost everywhere and on almost anything. An ideal first shad for understanding fish behavior.
• O.S.P DoLive Shad takes shads a step further—active fall, livelier body action, and high effectiveness even on cautious fish. Our personal favorite shad.
• Sawamura One Up Shad offers fast response and strong vibrations. A great choice when you need to trigger fish—typically in warmer water or during higher activity.
• KEITECH FAT Swing Impact is a more powerful option with a larger profile and more water displacement—ideal for stained water or aggressive fish.
• When fish react very subtly or are under heavy pressure, it pays to use finesse shads with a slimmer profile and subtle action—such as KEITECH Swing Impact or KEITECH Swing Bait 2.8".

Swimbaits & weedless soft lures – structure and cover

• Lures designed for places where classic shads struggle—rocks, wood, vegetation, and complex bottom structure. Thanks to a hidden hook, they allow fishing tight to cover without constant snagging.
• Megabass Dark Sleeper – ideal for working the bottom, rocks, and drop-offs; slow retrieves and bottom-bumping with minimal losses.
• Megabass Sleeper Gill – a slow-moving swimbait for weeds and heavy cover, where fish hold directly inside structure.

Saltwater & system soft lures (PH2S)

• System soft lures with a hidden hook for fishing rocks, current, and near the bottom—typically where a classic jig head wouldn’t last long.
• Fiiish Black Minnow – a simple and reliable lure for rocky areas; effective with a steady retrieve or slow fall.
• Fiiish Black Eel – a calmer, “lazier” action; suitable for deeper water or cautious fish.
• Fiiish Crazy Sand Eel – a more active lure for current and open water when you need to cover larger areas faster.