Engine Ride 2in

A downsized shad tail keeps the same ultra-thin profile as the larger Ride 3in for sharp action even on a subtle retrieve, giving strong tail kick despite the smaller body. That kind of natural, believable movement gives line-shy bass on pressured water extra time to look the bait over and commit before it swims or falls past them.

The smaller profile widens rigging options and suits situations where bass are keyed onto smaller baitfish, including smallmouth lake fisheries. It also holds up across a full bass season, from pre-spawn staging areas through summer cover and into the cooling water of autumn, rather than suiting one narrow window.

Fish topwater, on a downshot, Carolina rig, swimming Carolina rig or jig head; a straight retrieve lets the thin tail produce genuine baitfish movement. Vary the cadence and the length of the pause between casts until you find what is drawing bites that day, since bass response to speed can change through a session.

A light to medium-light spinning rod, a 2500 reel, 6-10 lb fluorocarbon suit the range of rigs this smaller shad tail can be fished on. Round the outfit off with a smooth drag and a rod tip soft enough to load up properly before the hookset drives home on a finesse presentation.