Fox Rage Ultra UV Zander Pro Shad: A Comprehensive Review

The Fox Rage Ultra UV Zander Pro Shad is a popular soft bait, specifically designed to target predator fish such as zander, perch, and pike. Renowned for its versatility and effectiveness, it has gained a significant following among both professional anglers and recreational lure anglers. Below is a comprehensive review covering its design, features, performance, and value for money.

1. Design and Build Quality

The Zander Pro Shad is crafted with a robust and durable soft plastic material. The body shape is streamlined, with a slim profile that mimics the natural movement of a baitfish. This gives it a life-like appearance in the water, increasing its chances of attracting predatory fish. Its soft yet sturdy construction ensures longevity even after repeated strikes from aggressive fish.

One of the standout features is the Ultra UV finish. The UV coating makes the bait highly visible in low-light conditions, murky water, or deeper environments. Predator fish like zander are particularly sensitive to UV light, which enhances the lure’s ability to draw attention even when visibility is compromised. This design aspect is a significant advantage when fishing in cloudy waters or at dusk and dawn, times when predator fish are more active.

2. Action and Movement

The Zander Pro Shad’s paddle tail is key to its highly effective movement. The tail generates a wide wobbling action that works well both on fast and slow retrieves. The soft plastic material allows the tail to vibrate and move freely, replicating the erratic swimming pattern of a distressed or injured baitfish, which predators find hard to resist.

The action is effective in a variety of retrieval speeds, making the lure versatile for different fishing techniques. Whether you are jigging it off the bottom, slow rolling it across the midwater, or using it with a steady retrieve, the Zander Pro Shad delivers consistent and life-like movement.

3. Color Range

Fox Rage offers the Zander Pro Shad in a wide variety of colours, both natural and more vibrant options. This is particularly important for anglers who like to switch up their presentation based on water clarity, light conditions, or fish preferences. The natural colours like perch, roach, or smelt are highly effective in clear waters, while the more UV-enhanced bright colours like fire tiger or ultra UV lemon tiger can be more appealing in murkier conditions.

The flexibility in colour selection is a big plus, as it allows anglers to adapt to various fishing environments and conditions, ensuring that their chances of success remain high.

4. Size Options

The Zander Pro Shad comes in several different sizes, typically ranging from 7.5cm to 14cm. The smaller sizes are perfect for perch or smaller zander, while the larger sizes are excellent for targeting bigger predators, including larger zander and pike. The size variety gives anglers the ability to fine-tune their setup based on the species they are targeting and the conditions they are fishing in.

5. Performance in Various Conditions

One of the key reasons for the popularity of the Zander Pro Shad is its effectiveness across different conditions. The lure performs well in:

• Still water: Whether in lakes or slow-moving rivers, the natural wobbling action of the paddle tail combined with the UV-enhanced body makes it an enticing option for predator fish.
• Running water: The slim profile and strong tail action make the Zander Pro Shad an excellent option for fishing in rivers or streams, where it can maintain a steady and enticing action even in strong currents.
• Deep waters: With its UV properties, the lure remains visible even at greater depths where sunlight penetration is low. Paired with a heavier jig head, it’s highly effective for vertical jigging in deeper water.

6. Durability

Although soft plastics are known for their relatively shorter lifespan compared to hard baits, the Zander Pro Shad is quite durable for a soft bait. While repeated bites from sharp-toothed fish like pike may eventually tear the bait, it holds up well against zander and perch. With proper care, a single lure can last through multiple sessions, making it a cost-effective option in the long run.

7. Value for Money

Given its high performance, versatility, and durability, the Fox Rage Ultra UV Zander Pro Shad provides excellent value for money. The lures are typically sold at a mid-range price point, and considering their effectiveness, anglers often find that they outperform more expensive soft baits.

Additionally, the availability of multi-pack options makes stocking up on a range of colours and sizes more affordable.

8. Pros and Cons

Pros

• Ultra UV coating makes it highly visible in low-light and murky conditions.
• Versatile action, effective at various retrieval speeds and in different water types.
• Wide colour range to suit various fishing conditions and predator preferences.
• Durable for a soft plastic lure, lasting through multiple catches.
• Multiple size options for different predator species and fishing styles.
• Realistic swimming action, which attracts a wide range of predatory fish.

Cons

• Soft plastic, though durable, can still be damaged by sharp-toothed predators like pike over time.
• For beginners, choosing the right size and colour might feel overwhelming due to the wide variety available.
• The UV coating may not provide significant advantages in very clear water or overly bright conditions, where natural colours would be more effective.

9. Conclusion

The Fox Rage Ultra UV Zander Pro Shad is a highly effective and versatile lure that caters well to lure anglers targeting predatory fish like zander, pike, and perch. Its UV-enhanced visibility, combined with a life-like swimming action, makes it an excellent choice for murky or deep waters. The range of sizes and colours allows for customization depending on the fishing environment, and its durability ensures it can withstand repeated strikes from aggressive fish.

For anyone looking to improve their predator fishing arsenal, the Zander Pro Shad is a solid, reliable choice that delivers on both performance and value.