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Basstrail Lure Picks from iCast 2022

There are a lot of bass lures that are hitting the market for 2023 that angles will likely be overwhelmed with. There is a seemingly never-ending explosion of companies coming to the market with their own versions of baits that at the end of the day aren’t much different than the ones we have been using for years, or are they? Here’s some new lures that we found interesting here at Basstrail.

Strike King Tour Grade and Rage additions

Everyone knows Strike King with the now staple Rage series and KVD line ups. They were also one of the first to create a successful spin off of the Zman Chatterbait with their own twist which has a new version for 2023 that mimics the successful Ever Green Jackhammer with a tungsten head and improved bait keeper. The Tour Grade Tungsten Thunder Cricket comes in 14 colors and both 3/8oz and 1/2oz sizes. 

MSRP $16.99

A couple other interesting adds in the soft bait line up were the Rage series additions of the Scounbug and Rattling Craw. Seems anything added to the Rage series is a fish catcher.

There were also a lot of other additions in the hard bait category with slight spins in sizes and colors. The KVD Elite Jerkbait is the 300 series with quality Mustad hooks and 12 new colors.

Check out the rest of the new Strike King line up at Strike King’s new products page.

Berkley Powerbait Slobberknocker Bladed Jigs

Another newcomer to the bladed jig market is Berkley with the “Slobberknocker” which at the very least is a lot more fun to say. It has a unique design with a head to blade connection that is supposed to eliminate blade breaks offs. Berkley also claims that is has a “bass tuned sound profile” with the blade to head contact and a fusion19 hook.  Basstrail was told that "The pros that have been using it said it’s the real deal." by a reliable source at the iCast show.

They also come skirted with the Powerbait infused flavoring to keep the fish holding on after engulfing the bait 18x longer. They will come out with 3/8 and 1/2 ounce sizes in 12 colors.

MSRP $13.99

Knocking Tail Lures

Their has been talk around the bass fishing communities that the soft swim baits have lost their magic on some lakes where bass have become accustomed to them and have learned that they should be avoided, whether there is merit or not to that argument changing up the baits could be an answer to the problem. Adding a little flash is a popular tactic, and of course that includes the A-Rig which throwing those with multiple blades seems to be commonplace these days. However, seen as a power finesse technique adding noise is not something many anglers think to do. Enter Knocking Tail Lures by My Coast Outdoors.

These baits have a built in rattle to give your swim bait game a little more interest to the bass. Currently we are testing these baits out and the action is good even with the plastic being a little on the hard side from what we are used to with brands such as Kietech. The sizes come in 5", 4", 3.25” and 36 color choices available for both fresh and salt water anglers to dial in their catches with.

MSRP $6.49 (3.25")

Ever Green Jerkbait/Crankbait Crossover?

Japanese engineered Ever Green X-Over offers a long-casting, shad-profile, jerkbait/crankbait crossover for more fish on clear and pressured waters. A twin dimple con-caved mid-length bill provides extended surface area in a smaller bill for accurate stability. The V-Shaped con-caved bottom also works in conjunction with the bill and floating design to give the bait great search and tracking elements. The X-Over comes in 5 Colors.

MSRP $18.99

Googan Baits Slizzard Lizard

The Googan’s have added a lizard to the line up, one of the most under-fished baits in the last many years. Since the creature bait craze started a lot of people have overlooked the lizard which still gets bites in the spring and when the bass are finicky. This addition to the Googan line up should be a winner with the high action design and color choices.

MSRP $6.99

Bass Mafia Daingerous Swim Bait

Basss Mafia and swim bait aficionado Chris Zaldain teamed up to create the new Daingerous Swim Bait that comes in 4 hand painted colors and 6” and 7” size options. These can be fished with weighted or non-weighted hooks and come in packs of 2.

Anyone that has watched when Zaldain is on a swim bait bite knows that this is a passion of his, so having his input on the design and development of the lure has some bite to it.

MSRP $13.99