With countless natural and artificial offerings available to Florida anglers, and numerous baits effective for various species across a wide array of venues, we wanted to take a closer look at the options and share the benefits of each offering in a one-on-one competition. As Bait Wars progresses, readers may be surprised to learn there are scenarios when an artificial lure is favored over natural bait for its versatility and availability while on other occasions, nothing seals the deal like the real thing.
VuDu Jumbo Shrimp E-VS40
Length: 4 in. Weight: 0.25 oz.
MSRP: $8.39 (2 pack)
egretbaits.com
Overall Rating: 8 / 10
Best Rigging Method
Egret Baits recommends rigging the VuDu Jumbo Shrimp on a 10 lb. spinning outfit with a soft tip 24 inches below a popping cork, or directly to fluorocarbon leader with no additional terminal tackle.
Standout Features
Kevlar/nylon weave through body/tail
Ready-to-fish with 4/0 nickel 4X hook
Replaceable weighted head/hook combo
Articulated tail flutters in current
Impressive castability
Realistic shape with glowing eyes
Durability
Nearly indestructible
Caution: The VuDu Shrimp is manufactured with TPE (much tougher than normal plastic), and does not mix with other plastics. VuDu Shrimp must be stored completely separate from traditional soft plastic baits.
Fishability
With a popping cork, best results achieved by pop…pop…pause retrieve above grass beds.
Flatlined baits should be worked with pop…pause retrieve along healthy grass beds and through potholes.
DOA 4″ Shrimp
Length: 4 in. Weight: 0.5 oz.
MSRP: $7.99 (3 pack)
doalures.com
Overall Rating: 9 / 10
Best Rigging Method
DOA Lures recommends fishing their 4-inch Shrimp directly to fluorocarbon leader with a loop knot without any additional terminal tackle. For best results, spool with 10 to 20 lb. braid running line and 20 to 40 lb. fluorocarbon leader.
Standout Features
Replaceable hook and internal weight
Extremely slow sink rate
Can be rigged 100% weedless
Available glass rattle
The original plastic shrimp
Durability
Tough, one-piece body with replaceable components
Fishability
Flatlined baits should be worked with a sharp twitch…pause retrieve under docks, through grass beds, along channel edges and across potholes.
With popping cork, best results achieved by pop…pop…pause retrieve above grass beds.
Availability
Sold at all major retailers and company website
Available in eight color patterns
Additional VuDu Shrimp include 2 and 3.25 inch
Winner: DOA Shrimp
While the VuDu Shrimp appears more realistic to the human eye and is quickly earning a solid reputation across the Gulf Coast as a serious trout catcher, the DOA Shrimp has a proven track record that is undeniable. Inshore game fish don’t see what we see, and what snook, trout, redfish and nearly every other shallow water predator sees in the DOA Shrimp is simply irresistible. Additional benefits include the ability to rig weedless, an enticingly slow sink rate, and over 60 color combinations in a variety of sizes. It’s for these reasons the DOA Shrimp emerges victorious in this bout between succulent shrimp.
