Glide baits have been growing rapidly in popularity in recent months. This may largely be due to the new Spro KGB Chad Shad 180 that made high-end glide baits more accessible to fishermen. This is a collaboration bait made between Spro and the legendary glide bait maker Kevin Brightwell and his team at KGB Swimbaits. This lure was designed using many of the features present in the original Chad Shad Glide Bait. The original version of this bait is now known as the 7-inch TSG Glide. As far as mass produced glide bait swimbaits go, you will be hard pressed to find one better than the SPRO KGB Chad Shad.
SPRO CHAD SHAD BUILD
The Spro KGB Chad Shad 180 is a 7-inch bait that weighs 2.4 ounces. This bait sinks with an ROF of 3 to 4 feet per 10 seconds and is great for fishing a variety of shallow and offshore cover. The Chad Shad also has an oversized eye and a brush style tail. This allows for a natural shad presentation that will be sure to fool some of the biggest bass in the area. This bait is extremely versatile and can be fished using a wide range of cadences.
A fast chopping retrieve gives the bait a harsh darting action, while a slow steady retrieve gives it a smooth gliding action. Both are great for tricking shallow and deep bass into committing. The lighter weight of this bait makes it a great option for making accurate casts around thick cover. This is a great way to catch quality bass that are holding tight to shallow cover.
FISHING THE CHAD SHAD
There are numerous ways to fish the Spro KGB Chad Shad 180, however, my favorite is around shallow cover. This can be a great way to catch trophy bass that are keyed on larger baitfish. My favorite place to throw this bait is around shallow cover with deep water access. In the fall, fish are often positioned both shallow and offshore. Deep water access allows these pieces of cover to frequently reload with fish, making it a high percentage location when throwing a glide bait.
Shallow water ditches are another great location to catch giant fish on the Spro KGB Chad Shad 180. As the fall progresses, bass chase baitfish into the backs of creeks. They will often use these ditches as ambush points to feed on this bait. Shallow ditches that protrude off of main river or creek channels are great locations to look for this scenario. Making a long cast along these ditches with the Chad Shad is a great way to draw these fish out.
THE BEST CHAD SHAD SETUP
Throwing this larger profile bait can lead to some giant bites, so having the right setup is crucial for landing these fish. I like to throw this bait on a longer, more parabolic rod with a medium gear-ratio reel. One of my favorite rods to throw this bait on is the SPRO KGB Signature Series Casting Rod. This is a 7-foot 9-inch Heavy action rod that was designed specifically to throw the Spro KGB Chad Shad. This rod is strong enough to cast the bait accurately, and parabolic enough to properly load up on fish during a hook set. This rod also features an extra long handle that makes casting these larger sized baits much more manageable. This is my go to rod when throwing the Spro KGB Chad Shad 180.
For a reel, I like one with a larger spool and 7:1 gear ratio. I like the larger spool because you are typically throwing this bait on thick diameter line. A larger sized reel also has bigger components such as the handles, making these bigger baits much easier to control. A 7:1 gear ratio reel allows you to work the bait aggressively as well as quickly catch up with fish after a hookset. My go to reel for the Spro KGB Chad Shad 180 is the Shimano Curado M 200 in the 7:1 gear ratio.
The Spro KGB Chad Shad 180 is a great option for both glide bait professionals and those who are just getting started. This swimbait’s lifelike action and unmatched drawing power make it a deadly weapon around trophy sized bass. If your looking to get some giant bites this fall, the Spro KGB Chad Shad 180 is worth a look.
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