Durability:
The weakness
for most
soft
swimbaits is
the
durability
of the
actual body
of the baits
and the
finishes.
Castaic’s
flexible
InnerArmor
fiber
skeleton
just plain
works, and
our biggest
concern of
whether the
design would
adversely
affect
action never
came to
fruition at
all. In fact
the
InnerArmor
had the
opposite
affect it
actually
makes it
possible to
make the
joints of
the bait
even thinner
to improve
action
without
concern that
they would
rip apart.
The Daiwa
Steez isn't
your
traditional
swimbait
reel but for
"finessing"
the 4" catch
22 it was
perfect
Throughout
our tests no
fish was
able to
break off
any segments
of the bait,
and the
finish held
up to abuse
as good as
or better
than the
average
swimbait. We
actually
completely
twisted the
baits like
wringing out
a towel to
test the
lure’s
durability,
this is much
more extreme
than what
would ever
occur in
nature. The
Catch 22
baits held
together but
in the 8
inch lure
the plastic
in between
the cavity
did rip,
this didn’t
affect the
lure’s
action or
performance
in the water
however.
A spot takes
the tiny 4"
Catch 22
The Catch 22
is a tough
lure and the
InnerArmor
absolutely
works. There
is a much
greater
chance that
you will
lose this
lure to a
snag before
it ever is
actually
destroyed to
the point
where it
loses its
ability to
swim.
Catching 22
bass on a
swimbait is
a challenge
in itself,
but fish
this lure
long enough
and we are
sure that it
will be able
to live up
to the
company’s
permanence
claims.
A closer
look at the
4" Catch 22
rigged and
ready to
fish
Price and
Applications:
The four
different
Catch 22
sizes all
come with
different
prices, but
the best
part is even
the most
expensive
12” version
tops out at
only $29.99.
The 4”
retails for
$16.99, the
6” retails
for $19.99,
and the 8”
is only
$24.99.
Overall the
pricing is
reasonable
across the
board and
when you
figure in
the
durability
factor this
bait is
likely to
last longer
than other
baits
costing
significantly
more.
Even if fish
shake the
bait they
stay hooked
on the
sliding "no
throw" hook
In terms of
applications
this is a
good
swimbait for
just about
everyone,
and is easy
to fish for
anglers just
starting to
dabble in
swimbaits
but can also
appeal to
experienced
trophy
hunters
looking for
a lure that
imparts more
action when
the
application
calls for
it.
A Catch 22
resting on
the bottom
of the lake
Since we
tested the
traditional
rainbow
trout
pattern
Castaic has
released a
complete
range of new
baits making
use of the
same
InnerArmour
design.
These
include
Ghost
Rainbow,
Bluegill,
Sunfish,
Tilapia,
Golden
Shiner,
Silver
Shiner, and
Threadfin
Shad. These
new baits
all feature
unique
profiles and
finishes and
should
vastly
extend the
number of
applications
and species
that can be
caught with
the Catch 22
series.
A Clear Lake
bass taken
on the Catch
22, it may
not be a
monster but
there is no
doubt that
this bait
can catch
them if you
put in the
time. This
is among the
easiest
swimbaits to
fish and
with a 22
catch
warranty it
will outlast
most
competing
soft
swimbaits
Ratings:
|
Castaic Catch 22 Ratings (?/10) |
| Construction/Quality |
Built tough this bait brings new meaning to "durable" when describing soft bodied swimbaits. |
8 |
| Performance |
The Catch 22 performed well through our tests and was able to draw strikes from fish and keep them pinned with the sliding "no throw" hook. Not the most realistic looking swimbait but the action makes up for it |
9 |
| Price |
A very reasonable price for a swimbait. The 4" is somewhat expensive for the size but every other size is very reasonably priced. We did find the bait for more aggressive prices at a number of e-tailers which helped give this lure a "great" rating in this category |
8 |
| Features |
The Catch 22 was rated great in this category, the InnerArmor design improves durability significantly without inhibiting action |
9 |
| Design (Ergonomics) |
This bait is very easy to fish, and while it takes just a bit longer to tie on it is among the easiest swimbaits to get to swim properly to draw strikes |
8 |
| Application |
With the new Catch 22 bait designs there are even more species to target. We would love to see a fast sink model in the future |
9 |
|
Total Score |
8.5 |
Ratings Key: 1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable!
(For a detailed explanation of the ratings go here) |
Pluses and Minuses:
|
Plus Minus |
| J Supreme durability in a soft swimbait |
L Not the most realistic profile and finish due to the slits |
| J Easy to fish and great for the complete range of big bait anglers |
L Would be great to have a fast sink model as well |
| J Awesome side to side action |
|
| J "No Throw" hook design works |
|
| J A 22 fish guarantee |
|
| J A reasonable price |
|
Conclusion:
One of the
benefits of
Nature
Vision’s
purchase of
Castaic
Softbaits
was the
increase of
resources
into lure
design and
manufacturing.
The marriage
of the two
companies
has resulted
in an
accelerated
development
of quality
products and
the Catch 22
is just the
latest
example. The
actual
finish of
the bait is
quite good
and while it
is not the
most
realistic
looking lure
due to the
deep slits
in the bait
it does look
absolutely
lifelike
when kicking
back and
forth in the
water. The
InnerArmor
fiber
skeleton
bonds to the
lure’s body
material and
reinforces
these thin
joint
sections to
actually
improve
action while
maximizing
durability
to a level
never before
seen in a
soft bodied
swimbait.
Extending
from the
wrapped head
to the tips
of the tail
the
InnerArmor
design is
what makes
the Catch 22
swimbait so
unique, and
the
guarantee
behind the
baits
inspires
further
confidence
in this
reasonably
priced
offering. To
top it all
off this
bait is
easier to
fish than
most swimbaits,
and the
design
allows
anglers to
fish it
effectively
fast, slow,
or even
completely
stopped in
the water.
If you’re
looking for
an easy to
fish
swimbait
that has the
ability to
draw strikes
from big
fish the
innovative
Castaic
Catch 22 is
a great
choice for
trophy bass
hunters of
all skill
levels.
Looking for the Catch 22, try Tackle Warehouse
