HTO Bora Shad – 13cm 14g

HTO Bora Shad – 13cm – 14g: The Dynamic Specimen Shad

The HTO Bora Shad 13cm is a high-impact fish imitation designed to target larger predatory species.¹ At Gerry’s Fishing, we find this 14g model to be the ideal “bridge” between finesse fishing and heavy-duty lure work. It is large enough to represent a substantial, high-protein meal for specimen bass, pike, and zander, yet light enough to maintain a graceful, realistic swimming action.

The design is centered around a thin tail section leading into a broad paddle tail. This specific geometry concentrates the movement at the rear of the lure, allowing it to produce a heavy, thumping vibration that can be felt through the rod tip. Whether you are fishing a slow, deep retrieve from a boat or casting into the surf from the shore, the Bora Shad is engineered to be noticed.

Key Design & Visual Triggers

• High-Displacement Paddle Tail: The broad paddle is designed to move a significant volume of water. The thin “neck” of the tail allows for maximum flexibility, ensuring the lure starts “working” even at very low recovery speeds.

• Reflective Glitter Infusion: Each lure is impregnated with multi-angled reflective glitter. This is designed to catch “chinks of light” in the water column, creating a lifelike scale-flash that mimics a panicked prey fish—a vital trigger for sight-hunting predators like bass.

• Anatomical Target Eye: The Bora Shad features a large, high-contrast black and white eye. This serves as a primary “strike point,” giving predators a clear visual target to home in on, which often results in more decisive, centered hook-sets.

• Rigging Versatility: At 14g, this 13cm body is perfectly suited for use with a weighted jig head for deep-water prospecting, or it can be fished weightless/weedless on a large offset hook for a slow, seductive flutter through kelp and weed.

Technical Specifications

Tactical Applications

The 13cm Bora Shad is a versatile powerhouse. The Gerry’s team suggests:

• Shallow Weedless Prospecting: Rig the Bora Shad on a 5/0 weighted offset hook. The 14g body provides enough weight to cast a long distance, while the weedless setup allows you to “snake” the lure over submerged reefs and through thick kelp where big bass lie in wait.

• Vertical Boat Jigging: The high-displacement tail makes this an excellent choice for vertical fishing for zander or pollack. The vibration produced by the broad paddle on the “lift and drop” is highly effective at calling fish in from the surrounding area.

• Linear Shore Spinning: A classic retrieve for bass and pike. Use a steady medium-paced retrieve to let the reflective glitter and the thumping tail do the work. The 13cm profile is a perfect “match the hatch” size for adult sprats and small herrings.

• The “Stop-and-Go” in Current: In estuary mouths or tidal races, use the current to your advantage. Let the lure “swing” on a tight line; the thin tail section will keep the paddle kicking even when the lure is held nearly stationary against the flow.

Gerry’s Verdict:

The HTO Bora Shad 13cm is a masterclass in combining visual “flash” with heavy-vibration “thump.” It offers a premium Japanese-style action at a price point that allows you to fish “snaggy” ground with confidence. With 3 lures per pack, it is a robust and reliable choice for the dedicated specimen hunter.