BOMBER Tips
The Fat Free Shad was designed to give a bass angler the following tools:
• A big bait that would dive fast
• A big bait that would have a tight wiggle
• A big bait that would deflect off cover and not hang up
• A big bait that runs true out of the box
• A big bait that would be easy to crank (much easier than other similar lures)
• A big bait that would dive to a legitimate 18 feet
Before the lure became available for the fishing public to purchase, it won the 1996 BASS Masters Classic at High Rock Lake in North Carolina. Since that time, an entire family of Fat Free Shads has been created, and many other big tournaments have been won on the lures. But the bottom line is, nearly a decade later, the Fat Free Shad remains a fish catcher.
Here are some tips on how and when to use each model:
BD7F Fat Free Shad (16-18 feet)
The original Fat Free Shad was designed to dive deep. It is the easiest-pulling, deep-diving crankbait ever used. When compared to other super-deep divers, it does not put near the stress on your forearms as the others. It will not "wear you out" when you use it all day long.
When fishing deep water, whether points or flats, the BD7 will get you down to the fish. Best results are attained when using light line such as 10-pound test. You must make very long casts past your target - at least halfway past your target to attain maximum depth.
Don't be afraid to drag the BD7 through brush piles and tree tops. The "kick-out" paddle will deflect off cover, helping you to minimize hang-ups. When you hit cover, be sure to "pause" the lure. This will create strikes.
While deep-water areas such as points, ledges and flats are good places to throw a BD7, it can also be used in shallow areas. Use heavy line (17 and above) to keep the lure running shallower and then utilize it in stump fields or other shallower areas. Many times, fish will key on a big bait that bumps off the bottom or other cover.
The BD7 also works in open water for deep suspended fish that are unreachable by shallower crankbaits.
Interestingly, the BD7 Fat Free Shad is famous for its big catches in Mexico. Many outdoor writers have deemed the lure the "Official Crankbait of Mexico." Because of its deep-diving ability and its deflective nature, the Fat Free Shad is a natural for the big bass lakes South of the Border, which are full of submerged forests and deep ledges. Countless bass weighing 10-plus pounds have been caught on BD7 Fat Free Shads - particularly the Citrus Shad color - in Mexico.
The BD7 is also available in a suspending model, which reaches depths of 20 feet. Featuring a precision brass rattle, this lure is great when used in open water or to fish deep points. Because it is a suspending lure, the BSD7F should not be used in deep cover. It will not "back out" as easily as as the floating version and is more prong to hang ups.
BD6 Fat Free Shad Junior
The BD6 is one of the most-used crankbaits on the professional tournament trails. Because it keys in the 10-12 foot range, it is a very important tool. It possesses all of the characteristics of the original in a smaller package.
The BD6 should be worked on the deep side of points, jetties, boat docks - just about anywhere the water is in the 9-10 foot range. As with the original, use light line to get maximum depth.
BD5 Fat Free Fingerling
The BD5 is more of a multi species lure because of its smaller size. Use the BD5 to target fish in the 6-8 foot range. The lure works best with 10 or 12 pound test line. It will cast farther and dive deeper with lighter line.
As with any deep-diving crankbait, use the Fingerling to parallel cast on deep banks, shorelines, creek channels or any other visible structure. Crankbaits work best when they're coming in contact with something, so make sure you're using the right Fat Free Shad for the depth you are fishing.
BD5M Fat Free Guppy
The BD5M, unlike other Fat Free Shads, has a little more of a wide wobble because of its shorter, fatter lip. It is designed to be fished in the 4-6 foot range and is very effective around rocks and stumps because of its deflective nature.
BD4 Fat Free Fry
The smallest of Fat Free Shads, the Fry is at home just about anywhere because of its small size. Whether its white bass, largemouth, smallmouth in a stream or big bluegills in a pond, the Fat Free Fry is the right size to catch anything.
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