February 2022

Red Eyed Shad vs. Hybrid Hunter

Todd Castledine shares the difference between two baits that have become staples in his tackle box: the Red Eyed Shad and the Hybrid Hunter.

 

 

The Red Eyed Shad has been around for a long time and is a staple in everyone's tackle box. This bait has won a ton of m

oney and it's caught a ton of big fish.

The difference between the Red Eyed Shad and the Hybrid Hunter is the type of structure it is used around.

The Red Eyed Shad is great to throw around grass and around anything that is related to the shad spawn. This bait is usually fished around grass, but it is more versatile and can be used in a wide range of the water column.

The Hybrid Hunter only goes about four to five feet deep, so it can't be used in a lot of different water columns. However, it excels around any sort of structure that a Red Eyed Shad would get hung up in. It can be used in grass, around rocks, bushes, trees and around lily pads. This bait also has a unique sound a little bit louder than the Red Eyed Shad. This bait doesn't get hung up because it is so buoyant with flat sides. The Hybrid Hunter hunts like crazy and can be reeled fast.

People are just starting to realize what the Hybrid Hunter can do, but the Red Eyed Shad has always been a consistent fish catcher. The Red Eyed Shad probably catches bass all over the country better, but the Hybrid Hunter is a unique deal once it is figured out on a lake.