Real World Tests: To find out, I took to some local waterways with this bait amidst some testing I was doing on the refresh of Angler's Resource's Point Blank offering. I'd been fishing spinnerbaits and crankbaits all year on some PB731HXF rods I'd built, and for the SH-3, I decided to use a build I had just completed on the new version of that same blank. I carried over my Shimano Conquest 31HG already spooled with #3 Varivas Monster PE Si-X and a leader of ten pound (10lb) Sunline Shooter.

This photo shows the hexagonal cross section of the SH-3

Castability: Shaking the SH-3 in hand reveals the presence of some large, free moving bearings inside the bait. These bearings not only help in casting the SH-3, but likely provide a loud knocking sound as the bait is being retrieved. At over half an ounce in weight, it's not like the SH-3 needs the momentum assist, but the fact it has it, makes it every easier to fire the bait to your intended targets near and far - especially if you want to four wheel it with heavier than traditional tackle into some nasty cover.

Weighing in at 19.3g or right around three quarters of an ounce (3/4oz)

Dive Time: Crank your reel over and you feel the SH-3's resistance right away. The lure gives very good feedback reminiscent of old school balsa baits and does a good job deflecting off the bottom as you're cranking. It's rated at two to three feet running depth but I feel like the SH-3 gets a little more, maybe down to about four or five feet, but that could just be me. Either way, it has a very confidence inspiring feel, if that makes sense, with just enough resistance and wiggle giving you a really good sense of what's going on.

The squared off bill is actually triangular in shape

When that eventual strike comes, the SH-3's hooks hold true and fast. Evergreen International does not mention the brand of hooks used on this bait, but they are sharp and performed up to task for me. If you're the type to swap out hooks on baits as soon as you receive them, the stock hooks are listed as size #3.

Hooks are not called out by brand but are very sticky and stout

I managed to accidentally (or not) cast one of my SH-3's up against the rocks a few times and I'm happy to report not only did the integrity of the bait hold up, but also its finish. JDM baits, years ago, would typically suffer from poor paint durability, but the SH-3's held up surprisingly well for me.

Conclusion: There was a time, before the big bait explosion, shallow running cranks like the SH-3 were a big deal. However, even though they don't help you cull through the smaller bites in the same manner as a big bodied wake or crankdown, shallow running cranks can be worked faster and help you cover water more quickly. The SH-3, with its easy casting performance, is excellent in this regard giving anglers the ability to fire and crank at a rapid pace. The internal knocker helps fish find the bait in lower visibility situations. If you're looking for a sturdy crank to be fished hard through skinny water environments, Evergreen's SH-3 is more than up for the challenge.