# Sakura Xprat Shad: French realism built for zander and perch > Sizes, Texas rigging and retrieves for the Sakura Xprat Shad, the hyper-realistic shad designed with angler Nicolas Bianchini for zander and perch. - Source : https://carnafish.com/en/leurres/sakura-bonnie-shad/ - Language : en-US - Updated : 2026-08-21 ## Spec sheet - Brand : Sakura - Model : Xprat Shad - Type : Soft plastic shad - Target species : Zander, Perch - Size : 9, 11 and 12.5 cm (3.5-5 in) depending on model - Weight : 5 g (9 cm), 9 g (11 cm), 13 g (12.5 cm) unrigged - Running depth : surface to 5 m (16 ft) depending on jighead used - Retrieve speed : slow to medium - Action : subtle body roll with a tail section that kicks in from the very first inches of the retrieve - Rigging : standard jighead sized to the body, or Texas-rigged thanks to the back and belly slit - Colors : natural baitfish tones in clear water, golden tones under overcast skies, contrasting patterns in stained water Sakura isn't a Japanese lure giant — it's a French brand, part of the SERT group, that built its shad range by working directly with field anglers. The Xprat Shad came out of a collaboration with angler Nicolas Bianchini, and the result shows at a glance: a profile modelled on a real sprat, with detailed dorsal, pectoral and anal fins, and raised scale texture instead of a generic smooth body. ## Realism that isn't just for the packaging photo On a shad, visual detail only matters if it translates into results in the water. The Xprat Shad has a finely shaped tail section that kicks in **from the very first inches of the retrieve**, even at very low speed. That's a trait it shares with the best finesse shads: the swim doesn't depend on a minimum speed, which gives real freedom to slow things down for a zander that refuses to chase fast-moving prey. ## Three sizes, three uses - **9 cm / 5 g**: the go-to size for perch and smaller zander, especially in shallow water or on a light drop shot. - **11 cm / 9 g**: the default all-round choice, effective both in open water and along drop-offs. - **12.5 cm / 13 g**: reserved for big zander or periods when natural prey runs larger, late summer through autumn. ## The rigging detail that simplifies everything: the slit The Xprat Shad is slit along the back and the belly. That's not just a cosmetic detail: it allows a **clean Texas rig**, with the hook point tucked inside the body to cut down on snags in cover, while still keeping precise alignment when you rig it on a standard jighead instead. That's what makes this shad versatile between open water and fishing along vegetation, without switching lures. > A realistic shad that swims badly on a jighead is worthless. The Xprat Shad's slit guarantees alignment — and therefore the swim — whichever rig you choose. ## How to work it depending on the target 1. **Slow straight retrieve near bottom**: the baseline for zander, especially effective in cold water. 2. **Short rips, marked pauses**: perch strike very often during the pause, right when the lure appears still. 3. **Vertical jigging over a known spot**: from a boat, with small lifts to hold the lure just above bottom. ## Colour by light and water - **Clear water**: a natural baitfish tone, true to the sprat that inspired the lure. - **Overcast skies**: a golden tone, adding a slight flash without going loud. - **Stained water**: a contrasting pattern, to stay visible when realism alone isn't enough to guide the strike. ## Zander and perch: where this lure makes the difference For zander, the 11 cm Xprat Shad on a 7-10 g head covers most river and lake spots. Our [beginner's guide to zander fishing](https://carnafish.com/en/blog/peche-sandre-leurre-debutant/) covers how to find those spots before picking a lure size. For perch, the 9 cm in shallow water or on a drop shot works especially well along weed edges and rocky spots. Finding the right spot instead of guessing blind is exactly what [CarnaFish](https://carnafish.com/en/) simplifies: one photo of the spot is enough for the AI to read the scene and the day's conditions and suggest a starting zone and retrieve. ## To sum up - Three sizes (9, 11, 12.5 cm) depending on target species and season. - The back and belly slit allows a clean Texas rig on top of standard jighead use. - Swim kicks in from the very first inches of the retrieve, even on a very slow straight retrieve. ## FAQ ### Is the Xprat Shad a good choice for a beginner? Yes — its swim kicks in from the very first inches of the retrieve, which forgives an imperfect retrieve. Start with the 11 cm on a standard 7-10 g jighead before trying the Texas rig. ### What size Xprat Shad should I use for zander? The 11 cm covers most situations, rigged on a 7-10 g head. Step up to the 12.5 cm late in the season when natural prey runs bigger. ### Can the Xprat Shad be Texas-rigged? Yes, that's actually one of its strengths — the back and belly slit lets you tuck the hook point inside the body to cut down on snags in cover. ### What size Xprat Shad should I use for perch? The 9 cm is the reference size, especially effective in shallow water or on a light drop shot along weed edges. ### Why is this shad marketed as realistic? Its profile is modelled on a real sprat, with detailed fins and raised scale texture, unlike many shads with a smooth, generic body. ### What colour should I use in stained water with the Xprat Shad? A contrasting pattern rather than a natural tone — visual realism matters less once turbidity limits how far a fish can see, and strong contrast guides the fish to the lure more effectively. --- 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.