Here's some new bait pics to check out. This is the recently released Reaction Strike Bass Harasser.

http://www.calfishing.com/reviews/swimbaits/reaction_strike_bass_harasser/index.html
http://www.calfishing.com/files/Images/lures/swimbaits/reaction_strike_bass_harasser/reaction_strike_bass_harasser_side.jpg

If you have one of these baits and would like to add your comments, here's the link:

http://www.calfishing.com/reviews/comment.html?product_id=1208

That bait doesn't look too bad but there is no way that they can say that lure isn't molded from a Hudd. The only thing that is different is the tail. It looks like they just shoved a Hudd in a mold and then worked on the tail to make it their own. The mouth and fins are identical. I think i'm sticking with the Hudd.

Jake J

http://calfishing.com/gallery/v/members/jakej/

I threw the bait around today so here's the mini review since people are asking....

The Bass Harasser doesn't swim exactly like a huddleston but fairly similar. The hudd tail has a wag to it that you just can't get with a boot tail, even a modified one, so I think that's a limitation for this bait. Let's face it, the wedge tail design is the shi$$.

The body is all hudd to 1mm. Whether they made a mold of a hudd or scanned it in with some kind of 3d modeling software, I don't know but it's the same body with only very slight differentation in the outer texture (scales/gills). It's an injected bait from an aluminum mold from the look of it, so it's consistently shaped and cleanly molded. I don't think there's foam inside the bait to balance it but I didn't cut it open to check. My lure swam straight and I like the color options. I especially like the fact that the bait is poured clear so you get some transparency in the fins.

There's a few things with the bait that need work though and you can see why it's $25 not $40 when you look closely. The eyeballs are not glued on well and will probably fall off. The bait also smells very strongly like paint thinner which was a turn off for me. The frog hook on my bait was dull although this could have just been some kind of blem hook. The wire wrap around the frog hook to attach it to the belly is a good setup and less likely to tear up your belly than impaling the hook in the belly.

Overall it's a bait that's going to catch fish but there are some issues that need work like the eyes and the paint thinner smell. There's also the issue of whether people will buy a bait that is so similar to an existing bait (huddleston). If history in the industry is any indicator, people will at least try the cheaper option. Only time will tell if the fish agree that it's as good. For me, I ain't putting my hudds up on Ebay but I might toss the Bass Harasser around some to show the fish some different colors, after a good bath in mega strike of course.

Guys,

Just a few quick comments.

The tail is a VersaTailTM (modified boot tail). The reason the tail is not a wedge tail is because a wedge tail is in violation of Stanley Jigs patent. Several companies have found out the hard way that you cannot violate patents without the patent owner eventually putting you out of business. When a company spends tens of thousands of dollars to protect their proprietary ideas, you can expect they will be madder than a hornet when someone abuses that ownership right. Also, fish the bait and see what happens. The tail is designed to catch fish, and if you throw the bait you will agree.

The eyes are glued on this bait. This is a problem that is now fixed as the eyes now mechanically fit into the bait. In other words, they cannot come out. In the event that you buy one of the original baits and the eyes come out, just email Reaction Strike and they will send you replacements at their expense. Also, a drop of superglue fixes this problem completely.

As for the paint thinner smell, just leave the bait outside of it's clamshell for a couple days (or open the clamshell) and that smell will completely disappear. All baits that are painted stink of paint thinner. It is just that these baits have been selling so fast that they are very new, and they ship in airtight bags which does not allow them to breathe. If you have ever painted a room in your house you know how bad the stink is initially, but after a couple days it is almost totally gone. Same is true on these lures.

Finally, the reason the bait costs $19.99 is because $40 is a complete and almost laughable ripoff to fishermen. Check out the rest of our swimbaits on www.reactionstrike.com. Most of our swimbaits sell from $5 - $15. Lack of supply is why some baits are very expensive. While that might be a clever way to make a lot of money, we don't play that game.

Finally, the 6 inch Bass Harasser will be available as of Nov. 30. Look soon for it's big brother, the big ten incher coming in mid December. After that, well, we'll have a 4", 5", 7" and 9". All will come with our proprietary "taxidermy" paint jobs. If you want one of the first 6 inchers or ten inchers, email us and we will hold one for you.

We set out initially to make an 8" trout replica bait. Of course trout replica baits will look similar because if you are going to make a trout bait, then it will look like a trout. If you look closely, you will see that we have done everything possible to replicate a trout, down to the scales and anatomically correct fin sizes. We overengineered the wire harness to handle big stripers and muskies, and included a flexi wire stinger hook attachment and frog hook harness on the belly. A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into the design.

If anyone has any questions, comments, or suggestions for improvement, email us at reactionstrike@hotmail.com. We constantly strive to bring trophy fishermen the best possible products, and you will surely see additional tweaks made to this bait in the months to come.

Over 30 dealers now carry these, with many more coming on board in the next week, so hopefully you will be able to find them near you.

Tight Lines, Reaction Strike

Put 'em back, let 'em grow.

Reaction strike did you ever get around to sending out those free baits, bacause I never received one and would really love to try it out. If I feel that I will use it alot, I most definitely will be buying a whole lot more. I sent all my shipping info, Please let me know if I need to send it again. thanks

Levi

Levi,

I sent out I believe 7 free baits. What is really strange is you and one other person emailed me saying they did not arrive. I know everyone else received their baits as they have either posted or emailed me. Don't know what is up with that.

Shoot me your mailing address again at richardquade@hotmail.com

This is getting more expensive than I anticipated as originally I planned on giving away 5 baits. I've already mailed 7 at this point. If you want to buy one, get one free, that would be better for me. I could get you pretty much any color/sink rate you want and that way you could get some versatility. The MSRP is $19.99, but I know some retailers are selling them for as much as $25. $19.99 would be fine for the two for one deal, plus throw in a couple bucks for shipping. I've got 3 versions of rainbow, 3 versions of hitch, brown trout, brook trout, and some off the wall colors like firetiger, Orange and black, etc.

Anyway, I hope $10 each for two baits is acceptable to you.

Let me know,
Reaction Strike

Put 'em back, let 'em grow.

im the other person who DID NOT RECEIVE a lure. NO BIG DEAL if its a hassle and a money issue, id rather not put you out. the offer was for a free bait.........
good luck

>Finally, the reason the bait costs $19.99 is because $40 is a
>complete and almost laughable ripoff to fishermen. Check out
>the rest of our swimbaits on www.reactionstrike.com. Most of
>our swimbaits sell from $5 - $15. Lack of supply is why some
>baits are very expensive. While that might be a clever way to
>make a lot of money, we don't play that game.

A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into the
>design.

WHAT A F#*@%IN JOKE!! OF COURSE YOU DON'T HAVE TO CHARGE ALOT FOR YOUR BAITS- YOU AREN'T PAYING FOR THE R&D WORK!!!!!!! TRY DOING SOMETHING ORIGINAL LIKE HUDDLESTON AND OTHERS AND I'LL BET THE PRICE GOES UP! Yes, alot of blood, sweat and tears went in to that bait- but it wasn't yours! If you thought that was tough, imagine how hard it was for Ken Huddleston- who started from scratch?!! When you were molding the Huddleston, did you ever think to yourself- "this is wrong, this is America- where we have pride"?? It would be one thing to come on here and admit like a man that you molded the Hudd, botched the paint job but added an eyelet for a trap hook, and are selling it cheaper, but to actually insult the original bait maker for charging too much after you ripped him off is just, just.....I'm speechless. Unbelievable.
Dave Smith swimbait@comcast.net

I thought I would chime in on this review as well. I also own Huddlestons and now I have 4 of the Reaction Strike baits. Rob's review is very accurate but whenever you are trying to mimic a trout/bait fish exactly, 2 things are going to happen. 1. Your bait is gonna look like a trout/baitfish and #2 your bait is going to look like a Huddleston no matter what way you cut around it. Just like a Spinnerbait or jig, most spinnerbaits or jigs look pretty much the same am I right? cept for minor tweaks here and there (The Reaction strike bait does have these tweaks as well) Make no mistake about it the Hudd is a pioneer bait in the swimbait business. But EVERY bait can be improved upon in some form or another (Yes even a spinnerbait/jig).

Here are some things I like more about the Reaction strike bait. The one thing I like is the hook is further down the back of the bait than a hudd. Probably a good 1/2 inch further back. As a spotted bass guy myself gee I have a hard enough time getting that main hook in a spot. Another thing I like about the bait is it has a built in harness on the back of the bait and it's a good piece toward the back. No need for leader sleeves or stinger rigging if you use this bait. Again as a spot guy I am very partial to this feature. The tail is completely different from a Hudd and is thinner and gives off a different action. The body fins are also thinner and more realistic looking (cleaner and transparent) and the checker on the body is different looking than the Huddleston. Also the plastic on the Reaction strike feels quite a bit tougher and more durable than the Huddleston (Not sure if this is a positive or a negative but I am thinking it's a positive (more durable). I do see issues with the eye's falling out but they haven't fell out yet. Nothing superglue can't fix here. Paint jobs on the Reaction strike are VERY VERY GOOD and it comes with a frog hook to boot that I sharpened up very sharp. ALso I got a 6 inch version thrown in. Man this is 2 thumbs up for us Spot Bass guys with a smaller version and it also has a stinger hook harness if needed. As you can see there is alot of differences between the 2 baits but they are still similiar in the soft bait trout look alike category of swimbaits. But for $20.00 a pop with the improved modifications I couldn't pass up trying them and I am glad I did. BTW Megastrike covers up the bait smell very nicely. Not sure what smell Megastrike can't cover up. LOL.

Mike Bucca
www.tritonmike.com

I have a question about the internal harness for a stinger hook on the top. If you look at the clear baits on the website you basically see a wire running from the jig hook, through the bait, then exiting just past the dorsal. The important part here is that the wire runs through the plastic. Ive thought lots of times of doing this with, hmmmmm, lets say Hudds. Reason I dont is because if a fish get caught on that hook, with the wire going through the plastic, well thats wire is gonna rip the whole back out of the bait.

So heres the question. Why would that not happen to this Harasser bait? One fish, one bait. I dont like it.

Urban, For a second there I thought you might have a valid point. So here is what I did. I tied the bait to my rod on 30lb X Rated Triple Fish line. Then I tied some line to that stinger loop and tied the end of that line to the ball on my truck. If it's going to tear or break it will break this way. I yanked on that bait till i was blue in the face and not only did it hold but there was no tear?? Now if it wasn't a direct link to the hook you would have a problem but it's a straight shot from the wire to the stinger harness and it's not going anywhere as far as I can tell. This bait is a pretty good bit harder than a Hudd. Now to try it on fishies and see what they say.

Mike :+