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Subject: Long time bass fisherman who prefers crank baits. |
Have been a Strike King series 4 and 5 fan for a long time and also used some others hand made and machine made over the years. I am now a Thundershad convert. Here on Lake Norman in south western NC I have caught and boated more quality bass this past summer & fall of 2007 with this lure than any other I've thrown on this lake for the past 8 years. I use the model 312 mostly in colors 27, 30, & 42. Do yourself a favor and buy these baits if you love crank bait fishing, there are none finer that I've come across. Tight lines to you all and God bless each of you.
Chuck
December 2007 |
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Subject: Thundershads, Don't leave home without 'em! |
This is my second year with Awesome Bait Company as a Field Staffer. I still have the first crankbait I bought. Model-106 Blk
Copper Mesh Green & Yellow #18. It has caught over twenty Bass and not one of them was under three pounds. This bait has seen better days. Its chiped,cracked has hit docks and rocks and still peforms as it did the first time I used it. If your not using a Thunder Shad Crank Bait your missing out on some great fishing.
Andy Wiles
March 2006 |
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Subject: Equipment for Thundershads |
I get asked often as to what equipment I use to throw Thundershad®. The most
important thing is to use what you are comfortable with and have confidence in.
I always have three rods rigged with Thundershad® on my deck everytime out.
Rod 1
Rod- Everthing Bass P TAR 846S 7'
Reel- Quantum AC500CX
Line- Shakespere Supreme Smooth 20lb
This is the rig I use to throw the 404 ,500's, and the 600 Top Water Shad.
I throw these baits into any cover I would also throw spinnerbaits.The heavy line
helps me get the fish out of heavy cover and also helps these lures "float" over
limbs. The Supreme line is the only line that I have found that gives me limpness
and strength together. You can also throw the 100 series baits with this combo to
fish over grass to keep them from running to deep.
Rig 2
Rod- Everthing Bass P TAR844 S 7'
Reel- Pflueger President
Line- Shakespere Supreme 8lb Smooth
This is the work horse. Used for the 100 and 300 series. The 4 power in this rod
allows the fish to get the bait good and keeps them buttoned up. On December
29th 2005 I found a good school of spotted bass in water 5-7 feet deep.Using a
310 in Sun Granny color I was able to catch over 60 fish and lost only one! The
light tip of this rod adds so much sensitivity you can feel the crankbait as it
approaches the cover, allowing you to work it through the cover and not
hanging. You can also throw 312 ,"Nasty" all day and not have it beat you up.
This is the first rod I pick up 80 % of the time.
Rig 3
Rod- Everthing Bass P TAR 726 S 6'
Reel- Shimano Scorpion 1000
Line- 12lb Flurocarbon
This is the rig for fishing close to cover. Fishing 106's,165's and other baits
around docks. The shorter rod allows me to throw side arm under the docks and
cables. The cables are also the reason for the flurocarbon line. Cables and poles
will burn mono quickly. Fluro stands up to this with no problems. A Citrus Shad
106 really shines here.
I need to point out that all of these rods are REVELOUTION rods or spiral
wrapped. This is not a gimmick in rods. It takes all the twist and torque out the
rod. Crankbait fishing is not the hard work it used to be, it just flat works. Also
get a couple of the Thundershad® plug knockers. Just clip it to your line and drop
it down, it works great. I saved a gentelman about sixty dollars worth of baits
showing him this.
If anyone wants to contact me to talk about fishing these great baits drop me an
e-mail at brburris@att.net
Rick Burris
January 2006 |
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Subject: Fall is Thundershad® time! |
When the water temps start to drop the fish bunch up and start their way to the
backs of the creeks in search of shad. When this happens no other bait made is
better than a Thudershad crankbait. I like to start in the very backs of the creeks,
where the water will be no deeper than 3 feet. Here I use the 600 series Topwater Shad a
nd the 103. I can not tell you how many fish I have caught in the last 12 months on the
Topwater Shad while my boat was on the bottom and I was unable to go any father.
The bait is so heavy you can throw it a mile and still reach those fish. If the fish aren't
that far back I use the 103 and 404 and throw them in every piece of cover I find.
If the fish are busting shad in the middle of the creek throw the 103 and burn it back to
the boat. If the fish aren't in the backs of the creeks yet I just start working the points
on the way back out to the main channel until I find them.
Here the 312
and 306 are the
baits of choice. Colors best used are 52 and 22 in clear water and 18 and 56 in dirty water.
Do not be afraid to throw the bait in the thick part of the tree it will come through
almost every time, and if you do hang it up just give a wiggle of the rod tip and a lot of
times it will create a strike. Don't miss out on this great fishing.
Rick Burris
September 2005 |
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Subject: Can't have too many Awesome Baits |
Hey Paul,
My name is Robert Bagby, from Westville, Oklahoma. Edwin Evers turned me on to your
baits a couple of years ago and I now have probably about ten of your baits. I just
wanted to let you know that last October and hopefully again this October my partner
(who has purchased baits from you as well) and I finished 5th at the Skeeter/Yamaha
Team Trail throwing your crankbaits, and hope to improve on that this year. Most
recently I qualified for the Skeeter Bassfan Weekend Warrior Championship at Eagle
Mountain Lake in Texas. I wanted you to know that I finished 11th in that tournament.
We had two days of practice and then two days of competition. In practice it was bright
and calm. I caught fish on poles supporting docks throwing the
404
and 103 baits in the sun
granny color. I caught them so good on Saturday that at noon I replaced the hooks with ones
that I bent the hooks over so I would not catch anymore. I left them in the box on Sunday,
and was so excited about Monday and Tuesday that I could hardly sleep. Well on Monday instead
of bright and calm it was cloudy and windy. I caught so many fish that day that my thumbs were
bleeding, but not the big fish from Saturday. I ended the day in 12th with three that weighed 6.01.
On the second day about six miles in to my seven mile trip my engine blew. When we got back
to the marina they had a boat waiting for me to use. It took me a little while to settle
down and start catching fish again. Many short fish and my day continued the same way it started.
I flipped a jig to the same dock that on the day before I caught a keeper on the
404 . I got a
bite and set the hook only to break my rod in half, then to make it worse my line broke were the
rod broke, then the fish jumped three times trying to throw my jig. I took a deep breath and picked
up the 404 and alternated between it and the
103 the rest of the day catching numerous fish. I caught
two nice keepers that weighed 5.56. Your baits preformed to perfection. I did however ruin three
of the 404's.
A fish destroyed one, and the continuous banging the lures into the wooden piers to
trigger the strikes did the other two in. I am not e-mailing you to tell you about the baits being
destroyed, but rather to thank you for making a truly awesome product. Eric Porterfield is a friend
of mine that I told about your baits last year. I believe he is on your field staff. In the future
if a position comes available, I would defiantly like to be considered. Again, please do not take
this as a complaint about you baits; I hung all three up on my wall of retirement. I do plan to
order more baits this fall.
Thank you,
Robert Bagby
August 2005 |
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Subject: Thanks |
Thanks for all the best crankbaits in the world. The 106 in citrus shad came
thru again on the Ohio.
LeRoy McDuffie
August 2005 |
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Subject: Awesome Baits |
Paul,
Just a note to tell ya that I really like these baits. Since the first one I
purchased early this spring, to the order I received today. These are the hottest
baits I have fished. I have caught many on every one of the baits I have purchased
from you. For this lake that says a lot for the action of the bait. Smith Mountain
Lake here in Virginia is a very high pressured lake. The top water baits have been
producing from just before dark, till I get too tired and have to come in.
last night that was midnight) I caught 8 nice bass from 8 pm to midnight on the
topwater job. My fishing buddy watched! At the end of the night he is just shaking
his head. We fish side by side at night and he throws a redfin. Like I said he
watched me catch fish. About 10 mins before we quit, I handed Bob my rod, his fish
cast he hooked up with a nice three pounder. Think He may order some from you.
Bob really tight, so no telling) thanks for the baits. My next trip to Alabama I may
look you up. (I was born and raised just outside Birmingham) I get now there every year
or so.
Keep em coming
Ric Graves
June 2005 |
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Subject: Awesome Bait Company: Why I can't think of a better name! |
Being a new fieldstaff member, owning a sporting goods store, seeing and fishing
just about every crankbait out there, there is absolutely none better than the
Thunder shad Crankbaits. My store is 5 minutes from the Red River and I can tell you,
this bait has been the secret of professionals who fish many BFL's and open tournaments
on the River. How do I know, put a pro fisherman's secret bait on the shelf and start
selling them, he will let you know real quick that he wished I would'nt let the secret out.
By hearing all this commotion and stir about this bait, I had to try them for myself.
I do not sell anything out of my store that I would not personally guarantee. Well,
the product is still on my shelf, and i have not had one complaint about these baits.
I would like to thank Paul for taking as much pride as he does in making this bait, it
is truly an awseome bait!
David Cross
May 2005 |
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Subject: Five "must have" Awesome Baits |
The five Awesome crankbaits you never leave home without.
1- 404 Grandma color 52. This bait has replaced a jig
for me as my BIG fish bait.The pressure
waves this bait puts off makes big fish go crazy.Color 52 changes color in the water just like
the glimmer skirts on a spinnerbait.
2-312 Nasty color 19.When the fish are on the 7-11
feet cover crank it down hit the cover
pause and and hold on.This is the best running and easiest cranking deep diving crankbait made.
3-306 color 22 If you need to cover water quickly,this
is your bait.Good flat sided bait with
a tight wiggle,comes through cover good.Still catch fish on it in 50 degree water.Use in same
place as a Rat-l-trap but when you pause it it will not sink
4-165 color 56 Shallow cover stump filled Roto-Rooter
machine.This bait flats gets em off the
stumps in shallow water 0-3 feet.A very good bait when you need five in a hurry.Also does a good
job fishing through schools of bait in the fall.
5-503 Topwater Shad color 07 Just may replace all
of your buzzbaits when it comes out this spring.
Get some and get results
Rick Burris
Jan. 2005 |
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Subject: These Baits are Truly Awesome |
As a professional guide, outdoor writer, retail tackle store owner and host of Southern
Outdoor Sportsman Television and Southern Outdoor Adventures Televsion shows I have had
the opportunity to fish with hundreds of different crankbaits. None compare to Thunder
Shad crankbaits. The quality and attention to detail along with the exceptional performance
right out of the box makes them second to none. I can tell you from 20 years
of being in the business" that there is not a better crankbait available at any price.
As with tournament anglers, I make my living fishing. And as Hank Parker says -"no fish,
no livin". So my equipment and baits must perform flawlessly day in and day out even
under tough, high pressure conditions. I can count on Thunder Shad® crankbaits to
produce results whether I'm fishing for Large Mouth Bass, Small Mouth Bass, Walleyes,
Crappies or even Pike and big brown Trout. These Baits are truly awesome!
Mark Gromlovits
Founder / Host
Southern Outdoor Sportsman TV
Dec. 2004 |
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Subject: New Prototype is a Success |
I am a new field staff member and wanted to say thanks for a great bait. Received my
503 series
baits and they work great. Was on the Mississippi River in Lansing, Iowa on Nov. 27th using my new
baits in a well known bass wintering area. This is a shallow water bay with wood structure. I was
following 2 other boats who were having no luck flippin a jig and running spinnerbaits. I caught 7
bass over 17 inches long by running the new 503
slowly over the submerged wood. For these kind of
results in northern Iowa at the end of Nov. says something for these baits. Keep making a great product!
Thank you!
Adam Kaltenbach
Dec. 2004 |
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Subject: Thundershad® Cranks |
I just recently started useing Thundershad® Cranks in my arsenal as a Guide on Lake Sam
Rayburn and as a Professional Angler. I have fished only two tournaments useing
the "grandma"404, a
106 and a
103-all in Chart/black back and especially the black
back/white sides shad color. I won 3rd in the BASS central open on The Atchafalaya Basin
in Oct ,and, just recently on Dec. 5th 2004, 3rd out of 263 boats in Bass-N-Bucks
Tournament trail! ! I went behind other anglers fishing rattle traps and other cranks to catch
21.05 with an 8 pound kicker. These are the finest,huntingest,most fish catching cranks I
have ever used hands down!
Robert Smith
Huntington Tx.
December 2004 |
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Subject: Awesome Bait Company, (Appropriately Named) |
I fish as a co-angler in the Wal-Mart B.F.L.; Fishing out of the back of the boat
requires an edge. After researching the internet and talking with owner Paul Kaptis,
I placed an order for a few different sizes and colors of the Thundershad®. In The next
B.F.L., I put my new Thundershads to work. I had my limit before my pro partner caught
a fish. After culling several times I decided to cut the only
model 103
in the color red-orange off and give it to my partner. At the end of the day he
finished 6th and I finished 3rd . I was on the internet the following day placing an
order for more Thundershads.
The Thundershad® was instrumental in getting me to the All-American, which I won.
I can honestly say that the balsa Thundershad® made the difference for me.
Thank you Paul for a great product that truly works. The Company name couldn't be
more appropriate. Awesome Baits are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!
Scott Boatright
May 2004 |
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Subject: Best second day comeback |
As God as my witness and another co-angler at my side, I had the best second day
comeback of my fishing career at my last tournament. I picked up the
404 Grandma bait
and by 8:30am I had a limit of fish, by 9:00am I was culling. I have caught numerous
fish on these Thundershad® crankbaits.
Thanks Paul for taking such great pride and workmanship in these special balsawood baits!
Dianna Rogers
May 2004 |
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Subject: I love the Thundershad® crankbaits |
I was fishing the McDonalds Big Bass Splash on Lake Sam Rayburn in April, 2004.
The lake was up, with plenty of flooded buckbrush. With 9000 contestants, I fished
behind another boat that was flipping jigs in the buckbrush. I threw that Thundershad®
in there and wham!!!!! I weighed in a 5.76 lb. bass and took 10th place for the hour.
You need to understand also that the average fish for money on this tournament was right
at 7 lbs. I was ecstatic. Plus, just the look on everyone's face that saw me catch
that fish. That stupid girl throwing a crankbait in buckbrush??? They quickly tried
to duplicate, to no avail. Never be afraid to throw a Thundershad® anywhere. If you
get too scared to throw it in heavy cover, you need to give up fishing entirely, as
this is what it's all about. Getting that edge.
Sincerely,
Debbie Petrowski
Arlington, TX
May 2004 |
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Subject: Take your Grandma Fishing! |
Paul,
I do believe the
404 Grandma is the best big fish bait I have ever used. This past weekend I
caught a 6-8, 5-6, and a 4-2. Over the past year I have caught numerous fish over five
pounds.Even spotted bass hit this bait! I've caught spots over 4 pounds on it.
It is nice to be able to get baits that catch fish, good fish, and you
don't have to change hooks or tune them. Eufaula Shad 404 (is a) great
big fish bait in any water temperature.
Rick Burris
January 2004 |
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Subject: $55,000 on Thunder Shad®! |
My name is Rick Lisek Jr. I started using Thunder Shad® crankbaits about
a year ago. Wow what a bait. I have fished tournaments for a lot of years.
This is the best crankbait going. I have won over $55,000 on these baits
alone. These baits have the best action, colors, and sizes out there.
They are proven fish catchers to me. I have stopped throwing all other
crankbaits except the "Thundershad®". I catch fish on these baits all over
the country due to traveling and fishing the Walmart FLW and Everstart
tours. Anybody can catch fish with these baits.
Good Fishin,
Rick Lisek Jr. |
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Subject: 2 first places in tourneys! |
Hi my name is Jim Windham , since being introduced to Thunder Shad® I have
beenso excited about this bait, it turly lives up to its name. (I have done)
awesome in my last four tournaments! I have had 2 first place finishes,
a 3rd and a 12th. This bait is so awesome that I recommed that you TRY
THIS BAIT. THANKS AWESOME BAIT COMPANY.
Jim Windham. |
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Subject: Cold water success on Potomac. |
Guys, I have to tell you that I bought a few of your crankbaits at the
Bass-a-rama in Januray. Today was the first chance I had to fish with
them. I was on the Potomac and the and river water temp. was 5o, the winds
were 15 mph, and your crankbait was the only thing they wanted. I needed
a dentist half the time to get my bait back. I just bought 6 more.
Thanks, Bob Cherry |
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Subject: Best Crankbaits Made! |
Well I started using these baits when they first came out. They are by
far the best crank bait made. I caught a 10 pounder last week. I also
won 3 tourneys on the big baits. I love to bounce them off the rocks.
Thanks Paul for such great baits!
Harlan Griggs |
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Subject: Nothing like balsa for crank baits. |
I have several colors of this great bait. The Thunder Shad® fishes better
and catches more fish than any other crank in my tackle box. They run
true, have great buoyancy, and I can fish around cover with confidence
because it is hard to hang the square billed baits. I would recommend these
baits to anyone who values a great crank bait.
Tim Johansan |
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Subject:"Awesome" Success |
On October 19, my son and I went to local lake to fish. The lake had
just came up four feet over the week. We started the day at the back of
a pocket where two creeks entered the lake. In a flat between the creeks
was a very large tree in about six feet of water. As we were coming up
to the tree, we saw shad blow out if the water. My son threw a topwater
in and caught a nice keeper. Fishing for ten more minutes produced nothing.
Then the fun started.
I told my son to pick up a rod that had a 306
Thunder Shad®, color Civil
War, . The first cast was a good 2 ½ lb fish. We tied on another
306,
Citrus Shad, and kept fishing. We boated over 30 fish out of this one
tree all on these two crankbaits. The fish would not hit a worm, spinnerbait,
jig or anything else. Truly an unbelievable bait!
Rick and Robert Burris |
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Subject: Thundershad® Crankbaits |
I do love your crankbaits! The finishes and workmanship are extraordinary,
or should I say AWESOME and they fish great!! Forgot to mention, I was
outfishing my fishing partner with your baits and he has always been a
much superior crankbait fisherman than me. It must be your baits!! I will
keep you posted. Thanks, Paul!
Mike Badgero |
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Subject: The action is great! |
I recently purchased two of the grandfather series and was amazed at the
action these lures have. Everything on the bait was perfect right down
to the hooks and swivels. These lures come through the shallow cover great
and the action of the lure is like no other crankbait on the market. Also,
Paul provided great service in getting these lures to me quick. The name
of your company says it all: "Awesome Baits!"
Chris Kilgo |
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Subject: Thundershad® Success - Series 106 |
In a recent tournament, I had great success using the "brown mustard"
Series 106.
The tournament took place on Lake Chicot, Arkansas, a large ox-bow
lake. Conditions were horrible . . . high winds, gusting to 25 . . . very
high barometer, well above 30 . . . bluebird sky . . . temps upper 40s
in the morning, mid-70s in the afternoon. I started the morning with
the old stand-by spinnerbaits and had several strikes, but no takers.
Then I switched to my stock-in-trade, tubes and worms, and caught a few
small fish off a number of strikes, but again, not many takers. I tried
Bandits with no success. About 11:30 that morning, I switched to the Thunder
Shad 106
and caught several small fish, plus four keepers (15 to 18 inches)
. . . then went on to catch white bass, stripers, and hybrids, none of
which I had caught earlier (though I know the lake is full of them). The
106 seemed to be all the
bass were interested in, and they were very aggressive
. . . hard strikes, easy hook-setting. Unfortunately, I lost my only Thunder
Shad 106,
but I had enough to win the tournament. I have placed an order
by land-line for more of this "awesome" bait in the brown-mustard color
and am looking forward to even more success in the BFL regional on the
Red River in Louisiana, two weeks from now. You have a great bait . . .
aptly named "AWESOME"! Keep up the good work.
Bobby Bales |
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