Deps Sakamata Shad Soft Jerkbait

Deps Sakamata Shad is a Japanese-built soft jerkbait tuned for erratic baitfish darts that draw reaction strikes. Its hydrodynamic body keeps resistance low, so a light rod-tip twitch is enough to kick it side-to-side and keep the cadence crisp.

Along the head, keeled fins channel water and help the bait lift like a shad skipping up to escape—then settle with control on the pause. Those same fins stabilize the fall so it tracks horizontal instead of nosing down, letting you work it weightless over grass, along docks, or across shallow rock. When fish slide deeper, it also adapts well to small split shot or a heavier Carolina-style setup to cover breaklines and deeper flats. Rig it weedless with an EWG/offset hook using the back slots and belly groove for clean penetration. Deps Sakamata Shad gives pressured bass and roaming walleye a different look without changing the fundamentals.

Why It Works So Well

• Triggers fast reaction bites, thanks to an easy side-to-side darting action on minimal twitches.
• Keeps a convincing “fleeing shad” lift on the snap and a controlled pause, thanks to the keeled head fins.
• Stays level on the fall for longer strike windows, thanks to built-in stabilizing fins.
• Improves hookup confidence on weedless rigs, thanks to the belly groove and tex-posed back hook slots.
• Adds density and feedback when you want it, thanks to a salted soft plastic option.

Technical Specifications

• Type: Soft Jerkbait
• Lengths: 5in, 6in, 7in, 8in
• Pack sizes by length: 8in (4 pack), 7in (5 pack), 6in (6 pack), 5in (6 pack), 4in (8 pack), 3in (8 pack)
• Hook recommendations: 8in #6/0 offset; 7in #5/0–#6/0 offset; 6in #4/0 offset; 5in #3/0 offset; 4in #1/0 offset
• Material options (selected sizes): Normal salt content and Heavy Weight salt/sand blend options; 3in listed as non-salt material
• Weights (g/oz): 8in 36.5g (1.29oz) / 41.0g (1.45oz); 7in 24.8g (0.88oz) / 28.0g (0.99oz); 6in 16.0g (0.56oz) / 18.0g (0.63oz); 5in 9.8g (0.35oz) / 11.3g (0.40oz); 4in 3.7g (0.13oz)