If there’s room for refinement, it’s in the skirt volume and how it’s secured - the banded attachment could be more robust, perhaps with a wire tie - but that’s not surprising given the Riveter’s price point. Overall, I found it to be a very effective buzzbait, particularly during early mornings and late evenings. What makes it stand out isn’t finesse or flash, but how effortlessly it fishes straight from the package.

This bait flat out draws, especially in low light

Price and Applications: For anglers who prefer the commotion of a soft-plastic trailer over a skirt, Berkley’s Riveter Toad takes the same sonic DNA and adapts it for a more aggressive, high-speed presentation. The reinforced welded cross-wire frame eliminates flex, keeping the bait tracking straight and stable when skipped under docks or over mats. That added rigidity, paired with a flattened keeper, helps soft plastics stay pinned and properly aligned cast after cast. Like the Skirted version, the Toad’s custom rivet delivers its signature squeak from the very first turn of the handle, while the anodized blade sheds grass efficiently during high-speed retrieves.

Berkley's other new PowerBait lure is a soft plastic PowerBait Maxscent Flux-Gill

The Skirted Riveter retails for $10.99, while the Riveter Toad comes in slightly lower at $9.99. Between the two, I personally prefer the Skirted Riveter for its versatility, it delivers both a knock and a squeal and can be fished effectively with or without a trailer, but I appreciate that Berkley gives anglers a dedicated toad option for a more aggressive profile and faster retrieve.

The Flux-Gill is designed for max scent dispersion and will quiver depending how you rig it

Both baits are priced affordably for their class, and right out of the package they emit that telltale high-pitched squeak most anglers usually have to grind out over hours of use. The rivet-to-blade contact is crisp and consistent, producing a strong, reliable sound signature that carries across calm or slightly choppy water. As with most Berkley baits, the Riveters are built to deliver performance within reach of the everyday angler, and in this case, they do it with easy to achieve sound that rivals some more expensive custom buzzbaits.

Notice the solid spine? The Flux Gill can be mid-strolled, free-rigged, dead sticked, drop shotted, or even used as a trailer

Conclusion: Berkley has been on quite a tear lately, rolling out a wave of new baits that make use of their popular PowerBait formula. The Skirted Riveter joins a lineup that includes the new Chop Block Soft Glide Bait and the wild-looking PowerBait MaxScent Flux Gill, all designed to blend scent, action, and realism in ways that continue to push Berkley’s bait technology forward.

There are some great color options at time of launch and I really like the versatile White Gold for most situations and the black and blue BL Special for fishing in low light

With the Skirted Riveter Buzzbait, Berkley delivers a modern, affordable take on a timeless topwater tool. It’s debatable how much the PowerBait infusion truly influences the strike or hold ratio on a bait like this, but much like my thoughts on the PowerBait Spinnerbait—why not? It certainly doesn’t hurt.

The custom long shank and O'Shaughnessy bend Fusion 19 hook keeps fish pinned and proved to be quite durable

The Skirted Riveter is loud, balanced, and ready to fish straight out of the pack - no pliers, sanding, or rivet grinding required. Between the tunable sound options, debris-shedding blade design, and quick-planing action, both Riveters give anglers the ability to cover water efficiently and trigger those memorable explosive topwater strikes.  At this price, there’s no doubt Berkley will sell plenty of these Riveters, and they’re poised to be a hot bait this coming Spring. For anglers who’ve ever had to “break in” a buzzbait the hard way, this one’s ready to squeal and knock right from the start, and while not flawless, the Skirted Riveter delivers exceptional performance for its price - proving itself both highly effective right out of the package and fully deserving of our Editor’s Choice Award.