# Keitech Shad Impact 2": the micro-shad that unlocks fussy perch > Size, rigging and retrieve for the Keitech Shad Impact 2" fished finesse-style for perch. Drop shot, micro jigheads, colours — the full guide. - Source : https://carnafish.com/en/leurres/keitech-shad-impact-2/ - Language : en-US - Updated : 2026-08-12 ## Spec sheet - Brand : Keitech - Model : Shad Impact 2" - Type : Micro finesse - Target species : Perch - Size : 2 in / 5 cm - Weight : 0.9 g unrigged - Running depth : 0.5 to 5 m (2-16 ft) depending on rig - Retrieve speed : slow - Action : subtle, flat horizontal swim with a light roll, salt-impregnated body that sinks flat - Rigging : micro jighead 1-3 g, drop shot, or a light unweighted Texas rig - Colors : pale translucent tones in clear water, more contrasted patterns (electric shad, crystal shad) in stained water A lure barely two inches long that fits in the palm of your hand: that's the Keitech Shad Impact 2". This isn't a novelty size — it's a very specific Japanese answer to a very specific problem: perch that ignore anything over 3 inches in a lake where they've seen it all before. ## A cousin of the Swing Impact, not a clone Keitech is best known for the Swing Impact, the paddle-tail shad that redefined jighead fishing in the 2010s. The Shad Impact belongs to a different family: a slimmer body, a comma-shaped tail instead of a wide paddle, and a much flatter, more subtle swim. On larger sizes that difference barely shows. On the 2" version it becomes the whole point: where a 2" Swing Impact still tries to roll, the 2" Shad Impact glides flat, almost still — exactly what finesse fishing calls for. ## Why going this small matters For perch that have already seen ten different 3-inch shads that day with zero reaction, the fix isn't a new colour — it's a smaller scale. A 5 cm profile reads as a fry or a small stickleback, a prey item perch treat as low-risk, low-effort. This matters most: - late in the season, when perch shoals are full and selective; - on heavily fished lakes, where fish have grown wary of bigger profiles; - in cold water, when feeding activity drops and only a tiny prey item triggers a strike. ## Three rigs, three uses ### Micro jighead (1-3 g) The simplest setup. A light head lets the Shad Impact 2" swim flat on a very slow retrieve near bottom. Use this for standard prospecting in shallow water. ### Drop shot The go-to rig for vertical fishing or fishing from a dock. The Shad Impact 2" hangs above bottom and quivers with the slightest rod movement, needing very little active input. Often the most effective rig on a stationary, low-activity perch. ### Light unweighted Texas rig For an even subtler presentation near the surface or over sparse weed. The fall is very slow and draws in perch that are watching without committing. > On a micro lure like this one, patience beats technique: let it settle, let it quiver, and resist the urge to reel too fast. ## Colour by conditions - **Clear water**: translucent tones like Crystal Shad, hinting at a natural little baitfish. - **Slightly stained water**: Electric Shad or a fine-flake finish to add a touch of flash without ruining the lure's subtle profile. - **Very murky water**: this is where the Shad Impact 2" hits its limit. Its small size and flat swim make it hard to detect — a bigger, punchier lure like the [Keitech Easy Shiner 3](https://carnafish.com/en/leurres/keitech-easy-shiner-3/) works better here. ## Gear that fits A lure this small demands light tackle: a light spinning rod, thin braid (6-8 lb equivalent), and a subtle fluorocarbon leader. With gear that's too heavy, you lose the feel of the lure quivering and often set the hook too late. ## What this lure isn't for The Shad Impact 2" isn't a fast-prospecting lure for covering a large lake — its small size limits casting distance and retrieve pace. To scout a big area quickly, locate fish first with a bigger lure, then downsize once you've found the zone. That's exactly the kind of call — when to go big and fast, when to go small and slow — that [CarnaFish](https://carnafish.com/en/) helps make: one photo of the spot is enough for the AI to read the scene and suggest an approach fit for the day's conditions. To go further on this species, our [guide to lure fishing for perch](https://carnafish.com/en/blog/peche-perche-leurre/) pairs well with this one. ## Key takeaways - 5 cm, 0.9 g: a size built for wary or inactive perch. - Three complementary rigs: micro jighead, drop shot, light Texas rig. - Patience and light tackle matter more than the retrieve itself. - In very murky water, switch to a bigger, punchier lure. ## FAQ ### Is the Keitech Shad Impact 2" worth it if I already fish standard shads? Yes, that's its main value: it backs up a box of bigger shads for the days perch refuse anything over 3 inches. Treat it as a backup option rather than your default lure. ### What rig should I start with? Drop shot is the easiest to pick up: the lure hangs above bottom and quivers without complex input, giving you time to read the bites. ### Can you target other predators with the Shad Impact 2"? Technically yes, but its small size mostly appeals to perch and smaller predators. For zander or pike, a bigger size like the 3" or 3.5" Shad Impact makes more sense. ### Does this lure work in murky water? Not as well as bigger, more vibrating lures. In very murky conditions, a [Keitech Easy Shiner 3](https://carnafish.com/en/leurres/keitech-easy-shiner-3/) will be more detectable and effective. ### What tackle should I pair with such a small lure? A light spinning rod, thin braid (6-8 lb), and a subtle fluorocarbon leader. Heavier gear kills your feel for the lure's action and delays your hookset. ### What's the difference between the Shad Impact and Keitech's Swing Impact? The Swing Impact has a wide paddle tail that produces a rolling, vibrating swim. The Shad Impact has a slimmer, comma-shaped tail and swims flatter and more subtly — better suited to finesse fishing. --- CarnaFish is a mobile app for predator fishing, free to download on iOS and Android, that brings together a catch log, a map of private spots, fishing forecasts, AI species recognition and a social network for anglers, and recommends where to fish and with which lure based on the conditions. To cite this content, mention “CarnaFish — carnafish.com” and link the source page.