Fox Rage Pro Shad Loaded 23cm: the big-eyed giant shad for catfish
Rather not fish it blind? Photograph your spot — CarnaFish cross-checks the conditions and points you the right way.
Fox Rage doesn't do things by halves on the giant version of the Pro Shad: 23 cm, a jointed body, a massive paddle tail, and two oversized 3D eyes that give this lure a genuinely unsettling look straight out of the packet. It's precisely that detail — the size and contrast of the eyes — that built its reputation among catfish anglers, to the point that many simply call it "the big-eye shad."
The detail that gives it its name
On a lure this size, anything that helps trigger a strike counts. The Pro Shad's oversized eyes aren't just a marketing hook: raised in relief on a wide head, they create a sharp visual focal point even in moderately stained water or fading light. On a fish that hunts partly by sight like catfish at dusk, that kind of visual cue can be the difference between a lure that gets ignored and a clean strike.
Loaded or bare: which version to pick
Fox Rage offers this 23cm Pro Shad both bare (rigged yourself on a jighead) and in a Loaded version, pre-rigged on a weighted hook built into the body.
- The Loaded version is ready to fish straight out of the pack: 8/0 hook already in place, balance engineered by the manufacturer, real time saved bankside.
- The bare version lets you fine-tune jighead weight (40 to 60 g depending on depth and current) and keep spare bodies on hand after a pike bite or a snag.
For a first outing with this lure, the Loaded version stays the simplest choice: it avoids the classic mistake of a poorly balanced rig that sends a body this long into a spiral.
The catfish setup: rod, braid, planer
A 23 cm soft shad with a heavy weighted hook doesn't cast on zander tackle. You need:
- A heavy rod, 2.40 to 2.70 m, able to launch this weight without straining the blank.
- Strong braid, 40 to 60 lb, on a casting reel or a large spinning reel.
- A strong fluorocarbon or coated leader around 80-110 lb: no wire needed, but real abrasion resistance against a catfish's rough jaw.
- For open-water fishing from a boat, this lure also pairs well with a lightly weighted planer board, alongside bank casting.
Not sure what to tie on?
Photograph your spot: CarnaFish reads the scene, cross-checks the conditions and gives you the zone, the lure and the retrieve. Free on iOS and Android.
Three retrieves that use its weight
- Wide pulls, long pauses: two or three sharp rod-tip pulls, then let the lure drop on a controlled line. Most strikes come during this fall.
- Slow straight retrieve near bottom: effective by day, when catfish sit tight and aren't inclined to chase a fast-moving meal.
- Vertical drift rig from a boat: drop the lure to the bottom and work it with small lifts — deadly on a well-identified spot.
On this kind of XXL size, an animation that's too slow beats one that's too fast: the catfish has plenty of time to spot the lure, so speed is almost never the problem.
Colour by conditions
- Daytime, clear water: natural roach or bream, to stay believable against a fish that studies the lure at length before striking.
- Night: black, a clean silhouette that stands out even in near-total darkness.
- Stained water: orange or a UV tone, to carry maximum contrast where visibility is limited.
This XXL size pairs well with other big catfish lures: the Sandra 23cm from Delalande covers a similar slow, bottom-hugging approach, while the Magic Swimmer 228 from Sebile suits open-water trolling better. Rotating between the three often unlocks a slow outing.
Finding the right zone before casting a lure this size avoids a lot of wasted casts — exactly what CarnaFish offers: a photo of your spot, and the AI suggests a zone and a retrieve suited to the day's conditions.
For the full catfish strategy — spots, timing, rigs — head to our complete catfish lure guide.
FAQ
What's the difference between the Loaded and bare Pro Shad?
The Loaded version comes pre-rigged on an integrated weighted hook (8/0), ready to fish. The bare version is sold separately from a jighead, letting you fine-tune the weight for depth and current.
What jighead weight should I use with the bare Pro Shad 23cm?
Between 40 and 60 g depending on target depth and current strength, with a hook sized around an 8/0 for a body this size.
Is this shad only for catfish?
It's built for very large fish, catfish first and foremost, but its size and swim occasionally pull in big pike too on waters where both species share the same habitat.
What gear do I need to cast this 65g lure comfortably?
A heavy 2.40-2.70 m rod, 40-60 lb braid, and a strong fluorocarbon or coated leader around 80-110 lb. Lighter gear tires quickly under repeated casts.
Why are this lure's eyes so big?
It's a deliberately exaggerated visual cue, designed to stay visible even in moderately stained water or low light — two common conditions on late-day catfish outings.
What retrieve should I favour with this lure?
Wide pulls followed by long pauses: most strikes happen during the lure's fall rather than during the pull itself.
The full catfish lure guideSeason-by-season strategy: which family of lure, when, and why.Go from theory to fish
CarnaFish reads your spot from a photo and gives you the game plan: zone, lure, retrieve. Free on iOS and Android.