Molix RT Shad Soft Plastic Paddletail Swimbait Product Review #molixrtshad #molixswimbait

Swimbait Review

A Diminutive Paddletail with Big Bait Detailing : Molix's RT Shad

Date:	2/23/21
Tackle Type:	Lures
Manufacturer:	Molix
Reviewer:	Cal

Total Score: 7.42 - GOOD

Introduction: Since the Basstrix shortage a decade and a half ago, paddletail swimbaits as a product category have been riding a roller coaster of popularity and new introductions. We're in the midst of climbing yet another hill, and we recently got our hands on the latest introduction from a company not new to this ride. Here's our look at Molix's RT Shad swimbait.

Paddletail swimbait options are on the uptick again

Molix RT Shad 35 Swimbait Specifications
Type	Paddletail Swimbait
Material	Soft Plastic
Colors/Patterns	5
Sizes	3.5"
Scent/Plastic Treatment	None
# per package	5
Resealable Bag?	yes
MSRP	$8.99

Introducing Molix's RT Shad paddletail swimbait

Impressions: Molix's RT Shad is a diminutive paddletail product measuring just three and a half inches (3.5") but feeling more like two. They are packaged in a clear plastic clamshell where the baits' individual tails can be kept intact and are available in five (5) different, lifelike patterns.

This diminutive little bait has some big bait detailing

Real World Tests: I'm certain the primary intent for these little baits is in some type of umbrella rig, but I wanted to find out the bait's effectiveness as a standalone product. It's also a little difficult to determine individual bait durability when fished in groups.

A look at the bait's tail

So instead, I fished this bait on the back of standard jigheads, underspins, and swim jigs to good success. The RT Shad's tail swims well at medium speeds is actually a really nice, kind of finesse presentation when tipped on the back of a jig or with an underspin.

3D eyes, gill and scale detailing...

The RT Shad's detailing kind of goes to waste when fished on the back of a swim jig or anything with a skirt, so I'd stick to the more anonymous baits for that duty. I did try this bait for a brief moment as a drop shot bait, but I think the swim tail is too bulky for that presentation.

... this bait even has a lateral line

I found durability of this little bait was surprisingly good, but I think that has a lot to do with the bait's size. It's so easy for a fish to inhale this bait and there's so little of it to flap around when run through a jig hook that there's not a lot of opportunity for it to get ripped or otherwise damaged.

I tried to fish it on the back of a Megabass jighead but the whole two head, four eye thing has never inspired my confidence

Design & Ergonomics: Molix's RT Shad is available in only five (5) colors right now but comes packaged in a clear plastic clamshell with individual compartments for each bait. This helps keep the swim tails intact until it's time to fish. It's a nice touch with these diminutive swimbaits and one I wouldn't normally expect.

The baits come packaged in their individual chambers

Price & Applications: Retail price for the RT Shad is $8.99 per pack of five baits. This comes to an individual bait price of $1.80. For comparison's sake something like Big Bite Bait Company's Suicide Shad, a comparable paddletail swimbait with a similar realistic look, retails for $5.99 for a five pack of 3.5" baits for an individual bait price of $1.20. Molix's RT Shad has more realistic detailing than the Suicide Shad, but the price difference is pretty big.

Ratings

Molix RT Shad 35 Swimbait Ratings (?/10)
Construction/Quality	A realistic though diminutive paddletail swimbait option	8.5
Performance	Swims well at all speeds but best at medium and up retrieves	8
Price	This tiny bait comes at a premium individual price point	6.5
Features	Good plastic consistency, package well	7
Design (Ergonomics)	Limited to five color patterns for now, but each of these five are very detailed	7
Application	Best fished on a jighead, underspin or umbrella rig	7.5
Total Score		7.42
Ratings Key: 1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable! For More Details of the updated rating system visit our explanation here

Pluses and Minuses:

Plus	Minus
+ Lifelike detailing in a tiny little swimbait	- Very limited color palette
+ Good swimming action
+ Doesn't need a lot to dress it up - best fished on a jighead, underspin, or part of an umbrella rig

I wish there were more size and color options so we could really dive deeper with this bait

Conclusion: Molix's RT Shad is a promising little paddletail swimbait option but one that comes with a somewhat premium price tag - if you can consider $1.60 premium. Really, in the grand scheme of things, it's still not a bait that will break your wallet. It's just tough when we compare it to other similar baits. I tried the RT Shad a number of different ways and found it best just not to get too fancy with it. The bait is fancy enough on its own so just let it do its thing. I just wish there were more size and color options so we could really dive deep into what this bait has to offer.

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