Strike Pro's X-Buster - A sensational Scandinavian inspired swimbait.

The winters are cold, dark and long in my part of the world. For an enthusiastic fisherman like me, it's a terrible wait between open water seasons. So, to compensate for my lack of yearly angling time, I engage in lure collecting - not vintage or antique baits mind you, but rather modern offerings (I simply can't afford those wonderful baits from years gone by). I find that this pursuit of new products soothes the savage beast in me, and allows for a modest amount of relief when the sun hangs low in the sky. Apex predator baits are a particular favorite of mine, and I tend to keep tabs on all those new to the hobby. With the trend towards larger swimbaits growing out of America, Europe and Asia, my appetite has been regularly satisfied in recent years. One of those big new baits, the Strike Pro X-Buster 7" Swimbait/Jerkbait, hit my radar about a year or so ago, and I made it point to eventually own one.

Though the bait was available online for quite some time, I had resisted ordering it, wanting to wait until I saw the bait in person to finally make a purchase. I got that opportunity a few days ago, when I saw a fresh batch of these gleaming beauties hanging on the pegs of my local tackle shop. I was instantly taken aback at these new shad-style swimbaits being sold in long clamshell packaging - their paint applications being candy coated, and their anatomical detail, prominent and defined. I grabbed a slow sinking model in Hot Pike (an International colour) and made for the cash, extremely happy and quite content. After I got the bait home, I pried opened the staple holding the plastic shell to its cardboard backing - careful to not break anything as I will later re-package the bait for storage (after a period of fishing or display). I immediately I took notice of the bait's tight dividing joint, which felt solid, yet allowed for a good range of motion. Also worthy of note was the "3D" eye and the included Owner hooks and hardware. Internal rattles finish off this impressively hefty bait, which feels quite substantial in the hand. I'd recommend throwing this bait on a equally matched casting outfit (including the appropriate line test) rated for the lures weight and the heavy, toothy fish you'll surely be catching.

The X-Buster, designed by CWC (one of the leading distributors of Predator Tackle in Scandinavia) for Strike Pro, has a wide sweeping action when cranked in. When a jerking retrieve is paused, the bait glides to left or right, performing a 180 and remaining in the strike zone.

Crank it; rip it; twitch it; pull it; jerk it; or troll this 7 inch, 2-3/4 oz (suspending or slow sinking) swimbait/glide bait to entice big Pike and other such predatory fish.

Topwater Bottom Line: The Strike Pro X-Buster 7" Swimbait/Jerkbait can be had for a very reasonable $24.99. This price is very competitive when you consider some of the similar, albeit equally effective options available. With replaceable and interchangeable quality rubber tails, the possible colour combinations are multiple and varied. I highly recommend this lure, from both a lure collector's and fisherman's point of view. As always, please practice catch and release with this lure.

Topwater Rating:

5 out of 5 bobbers

 

Candy coated goodness - Colours of the North American wild.

International flavor - Colours of the world.