FishAholics Lure Review: KPN Skinny Shad

This lure is a must for night time fishing, here’s why.

This week, I’ll be reviewing a lure from KPN Tackle (short for Khanh Phuoc Nguyen, the owner of the company).  It’s a small company that produces big results on the water.  At first glance, this lure looks just like any other rattle trap.  It has a similare shape and design but take a closer look and you’ll see that it’s something more.  It’s been beefed up with bigger sized hooks, it’s bigger in profile and it creates a deafening rattling sound underwater that’s bound to draw fish in from all around.  When night fishing, a bigger profile and louder rattle is a must for drawing in fish.

About The Lure

The KPN Skinny Shad is a sinking type lure painted by hand.  The lures go for $13 without the scale design and $16 with the scales.  On the website (kpntackle.com) you can view the most recent colors Khan has to offer.  He adds new colors often so you’ll have to check his website for the latest updates.  

The color shown in this review is the Skinny Wasabi Shad.  The Lure weighs 1.3 oz or a little more than 4 ketchup packs put together.  It measures just over 4 inches in length (4.125 inches to be exact)  and is paired with VMC hooks.  The paint finish on the lure is exceptional.  Unlike most factory made lures, the paint job on the KPN can handle a beating.  Even after catching several fish with a lure, the gloss finish does a great job of protecting the paint job, no teeth marks baby.

The Test

I ask our very own FishAholics pro staffers Nick Xyong and Donald Kellogg how they fish the lure. The KPN gets tested at night time on the California Aqueduct.  This lure is an “awesome night time lure that catches big girls,” says Nick.  Most of his bites come on the fall.  You wanna let the lure fall to the bottom.    Slowly lift the lure off the bottom with the rod tip and let it fall again.  The lure will flutter on the fall and entice stripers to hit it.  That’s when most of his bites occur.

When there is current flowing at the ducts, Donald likes to switch things up with a different approach.  “Just hold the rod tip out over the sweet spot and let the current push the lure back into the flood gates along the wall.  Just let it stay in one spot swimming and let the current do all the work,”  says Donald.  This stationary method will allow the fish to hone in on the lure and they’ll hammer it.

Drawbacks

The lures ability to draw in fish from all around may also be it’s weakness.   You can really hear this lure from a distance.  Fish that are spooky or sensitive to sound may flee from this lure.  

Something I’ve noticed also is the rear hook may become entangled with your line if there is too much slack when you let it fall. Adding a little tension to the line usually resolves that issue.

KPN In Action

Here’s a video clip showing Nick Xyong in action with the KPN.  After failed attempts with his other lures, he switches to a KPN and on his very first cast…a surprise.  Even with the underwater camera housing, the lure doesn’t shy away from making its presence known.

 

Conclusion

Whether you’re fishing at night or in the daytime, this lure is sure to produce.  I’ve found this lure to either attract fish or scare the bejesus out of them.  Either way, you’re bound to catch them regardless.  Next time you’re looking to buy a lure that will produce results at night or one with a loud rattle, give KPN a try.  It’s a lure that will catch more fish than fishermen.

Note:  You don’t have to take my word for it.  You can try this lure for yourself.  Simply sign up below for a chance to win this exact lure.  We do this with ALL our lure reviews.  We review the lures and give it away afterwards.  The lure giveaway will end on April 30, 2015 at 8pm PST.  The winner along with all the contestants will be notified 48 hours after the contest has ended via email.  Good Luck!  

***Update: 5-3-2015***

So, congratulations to Christopher for winning the KPN Lure.  I’ve already sent you an email about your win.  You have until Tuesday (5-5-2015) at 8pm to email me (mengxyong@thefishaholics.com) or you forfeit the prize.  Thank you everyone for participating.