|
The ABT Banshee Screams for Attention
| Date: |
12/14/11 |
| Tackle type: |
Lure |
| Manufacturer: |
ABT |
| Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 7.91 -
GOOD
Introduction: The “Next Generation” offerings from ABT are designed
to make swimbaits more accessible to the complete spectrum of anglers. The
Banshee is the latest creation from Allen Borden, of King Shad fame, and is a
multi-jointed hard bodied swimbait that features both an extremely aggressive
action and a more realistic appearance than many other swimbaits costing twice
as much.
|
ABT
Lures
Banshee
Swimbait
Specifications |
|
Type |
Multi-Jointed
Hard
Swimbait |
|
Material |
Plastic |
|
Class |
Slow Sink
|
|
Size |
4.5", 6", 8"
|
|
Weight |
4.5"
(1/2oz.), 6"
(1.5oz.) ,
8" (3oz.)
|
|
Hooks |
#4 |
|
Colors/Patterns |
9 |
|
MSRP |
4.5" - $10.99
6" - $12.99
8" - $17.99 |
Impressions:
Last ICAST ABT Lures unveiled a new series of lures under their “Next
Generation” line and this includes the Banshee which features the company’s
“Natural Image Transfer” process that replicates the colors and patterns of
actual forage fish. The best way to describe it is if the company basically
transferred a photograph of the fish onto a three dimensional bait.
The Banshee is one of the new
"Next Generation" swimbaits from ABT Lures
The body of the Banshee
is very narrow there are four-sections designed to help the lure “swim” in the
water as it is retrieved. There are three sizes available, a 4 ½-inch long
Banshee Swimbait, as well as a 6-inch and 8-inch model, and all are available in
a wide range of patterns that mimic popular baitfish including blueback herring,
threadfin shad, golden shiner, perch, rainbow trout, and other species that bass
prey upon. Additional aesthetics include 3-D eyes and detailed scale patterns
within the image transfer.
The Banshee features the company's
"Natural Image Transfer" finish
From just a few feet
away the baits look extremely lifelike, and only under close inspection can you
see the pixels on the actual transfer. The baits look very polished, maybe too
polished, as they exhibit a mass produced feel in contrast to a handmade
swimbait. This is by design however as they are intended to hit an aggressive
price point, unlike many other competing swimbaits that are so expensive that
anglers really have to think twice before tying them on, simply out of fear of
losing their costly handmade collectible.
The Blue Back Herring looks very
realistic all the way down to the gill pattern
Real World Tests:
We ordered a handful of ABT Banshee swimbaits from Tackle Warehouse and have
been fishing them for just over four months to get both warm and cold weather
fishing in with these new lures. We primarily targeted largemouth bass in the
California Delta but I also worked in some Striped Bass fishing as well both at
the Delta and the O’Neil Forebay closer to Central California.
A look at the Rainbow Trout
pattern
Casting:
The first thing that I did was tie the Banshee onto my normal swimbait rods, big
mistake. The Banshee may have the length of regular swimbaits but because it is
so thin the smaller two sizes actually weighs very little. The 8” model weighs
3oz. and can be cast on traditional swimbait sticks but the 6” weighs in at
1.5oz. and the 4.5” weighs only 1/2oz., and while it is possible to cast these
lures with a swimbait rod they are better suited for a traditional casting rod
with a decent, but not too heavy, action.
The lures come armed with two
treble hooks
Some anglers have
reported difficulty casting this bait for this very reason, but by matching up a
lighter rod with a respectable baitcaster this lure really is pretty easy to
cast, and the smaller baits can also be easily fished with a spinning setup.
Anglers may also notice on some casts that the lure flips around a bit in the
air, this is because the lure is front heavy and the tail is so light and large
enough in profile to be affected by wind resistance when cast. Some baits have
internal cast control systems to shift the weight towards the tail when cast but
such an implementation is difficult with a multi-segmented swimbait such as the
Banshee.
The Banshee sometimes flips about
when cast as the lure is very lightweight, but on the "flipside" it can be
fished with traditional casting setups and doesn't need a dedicated swimbait rig
Next Section:
Screaming for
attention during
retrieve
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