The Berkley Ripple Shad is one of the most popular soft plastic baits available on the market when it comes to walleye fishing. The bait features an incredible action, vibration, and is a proven fish catcher wherever walleyes swim.
Fish It Like Nick
“Of every soft plastic bait available on the market, the Berkley Ripple Shad is what I have the highest confidence in,” says Nick Harrington, Owner of Lip Ripper Fishing. “This all stems to one day in our Tuesday Night League when Mason caught three fish back to back on the Ripple Shad while I couldn’t get touched with a jig and minnow, I put on a Ripple Shad and my next catch had one. We ultimately ended 2nd that night and put a ton of fish in the boat.”
The vibration the bait produces is what triggers bites when traditional live bait such as minnows does not.
“The combination of the ribs along the body and the paddletail produces a fantastic vibration in the water,” says Mason Propst of Propst Professional Anglers. “This makes it a terrific option for a tough bite, because it can naturally trigger fish to bite even when they may not be actively feeding.”
Common size option are 3 inches, but 4 inch options can produce bites just as well too.
“The bigger the bait, the more vibration it produces,” explains Harrington. “A lot of walleye anglers may scoff at a 4 inch bait, but I don’t, especially in the early spring when the forage in the system is naturally going to be that size.”
Fishing these baits on a 3/16 oz swimbait jig head is a perfect option for effectively controlling the bait and getting the most out of the action on your retrieve.
“I fish these baits with a lift and fall,” continues Harrington. “I’m not poking around with these, I want that tail thumping and then many times they scoop it up on the drop and your next lift is your hook set.”
An added benefit of fishing with plastics is the ability to provide a variety of color options as opposed to just livebait alone.
“I like blues and purples, but don’t be afraid to throw a pink or purple as well,” concludes Harrington. “Spring walleye can be fickle, but often times a completely different presentation like what a Ripple Shad provides is what can trigger the most strikes.”
Bait Details
Bait Profile: Minnow
Bait Composition: Soft Plastic
Favorite Sizes: 3” and 4”
Favorite Colors: Pearl, Blue, Purple
Favorite Waterbodies: Lake Sharpe, Lake Poinsett
Get Geared Up to Catch More Walleye
Want to learn more about the gear we use when targeting walleye? Whether it’s on the Missouri River, Glacial Lakes region of South Dakota, western Nebraska reservoirs, or anywhere else across the Midwest we share our favorite baits and how we fish them on our Getting Geared Up page!
