Strike Pro Flex Phantom – A lipped swimbait unlike any other you’ve seen before.

My primary obsession is collecting lures. I particularly enjoy collecting lures from around the world, as international lure designers seem to produce wildly creative, high-quality offerings that display fantastically in a collection – things you just dont’t see too often in North America (outside of individual or small builders).

Strike Pro is an example of one of those companies who is blending art with functionally, in turn producing truly unique lures that offer today’s fisherman more quality fish catching tools than ever before. Strike Pro, located in Taiwan, is a lure manufacturer and exporter that opened its door in 1973. Prior to 1990 (According to their website) their products were limited to jigs and spinners. Their President then decided to expand to hard lures, original wooden lures and spinner baits, and I for one am glad he did! One of the new baits they designed and released is the Strike Pro Flex Phantom – A hard plastic, segmented swimbait that takes advantage of Strike Pro's patented "Bike Chain" joint system, which gives the bait a free and fully articulated rear half for superior action and incredible swimming motion throughout the water column. This is the amazing part, as in place of clunky joints or joined eyehooks, Strike Pro uses thin wire instead to allow the bait a full range of motion - twisting and turning on the retrieve just like a real baitfish. The main upper body is wrapped in a jewel-like hard plastic shell, housing an internal flasher strip that reflects light and colour to trigger strikes and catch the eye. These hefty lures are built with tough, utilizing ultra-strong hardware, including Owner wide-gap treble hooks.

Four flavors from the many offered - (top to bottom): Grey Ghost, Firetiger Ghost, Autumn Bass, Sensuous Shad)

Topwater Bottom Line: This is an eye opening international swimbait that fishes well, displays well and is well made. At $15.99 – $19.99 per unit, the Strike Pro Flex Phantom stands in a class of its own, offering remarkable value, quality and attention to detail for such a small outlay (when one takes into consideration the much more expensive, albeit equally effective options). There are 3 sizes available – 3 1/2 , 4 ¾ and 6 ¾ with the latter being an absolute blast to throw for giant Pike, Musky or other large predators on ultra-heavy line and gear. Colour selection ranges from traditional the “Perch” through to the fantastically ethereal “Trout Ghost”. Personally, I selected “Limetreuse” for my display model, but if I was to throw the bait, I would go with “Firetiger Ghost” for stained water, “Autumn Bass” for daytime/clear water and “Blue Green” for low-light conditions. As always, please practice catch and release with this lure.

Topwater Rating:

5 out of 5 bobbers

A jeweled work of art (Blue/Green Ghost shown) – just as worthy of being on display as it is of being fished, the Strike Pro Flex Phantom effectively combines art with technology and environmentally friendly materials.