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Learn More »A Tackle Shop Guide to the Berkley Pro Tech Finisher Shad
Fishing with live, forward-facing sonar (FFS) has changed things. It's turning fishing into more of a "video game," where anglers are watching fish react on a screen in real-time. The problem is, a standard lure isn't built for this. It might sink too slowly or not show up well. The Berkley Finisher is one of the first lures we've seen that is purpose-built to solve this, giving those high-tech anglers a tool to "fish the screen" effectively.
A Note From Our Local Experts
"We've been selling lures for over 20 years, and the tech just keeps moving. First, it was side-scan, and now it's all about FFS. We're seeing more and more customers coming in who are running this new sonar, and they're looking for lures that work with it. The Finisher is exactly that. It's not just a 'cast and retrieve' lure. It's a 9-gram, fast-sinking lure designed to be dropped vertically onto a fish you see on the screen. You can twitch it, glide it, and watch the fish react. It's a new style of fishing, and this is the new style of lure to match."
- Ben Czulowski, Owner, Fishing Tackle Shop (Ocean Storm) | 20+ years industry experience
Decoding the Finisher's Features: What Matters
This lure is built differently from a standard diving minnow. Here’s what the design features actually mean for you:
Pro-Tips for Fishing the Finisher
This lure opens up a few ways to fish. Here are a couple of things we've found work well.
- The "On-Screen" Technique: If you have FFS, drop the Finisher vertically onto a school of bream, bass, or yellowbelly you've found. Use tiny, sharp "jigs" of the rod tip to make it dart and flash without moving too far from the strike zone.
- Turning "Follows" to "Strikes": If you see a fish follow the lure on your sonar but not commit, give it a sharp "pop" or let it free-fall for a second. That sudden change in action is a classic predator trigger that turns a 'follow' into a 'strike'.
- Rigging for Action: We recommend tying this lure with a small loop knot directly to its tow point. This gives the lure the most freedom to dart and glide as it was designed to. A light 6-12lb fluorocarbon leader is a good match.
Technical Specifications: Finisher Shad 50
| Model | Pro Tech Finisher Shad |
| Length | 50mm |
| Weight | 9g (9 grams) |
| Action | Sinking / Gliding |
| Working Depth | 5m+ (Sinking) |
| Hooks | Two (2) trebles |
| Target Species | Bream, Bass, Flathead, Yellowbelly, Redfin, etc. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this lure if I *don't* have Forward Facing Sonar?
Absolutely. At its core, this is a 50mm, 9g sinking hardbody. That makes it a fantastic lure for traditional casting. You can cast it, let it sink to the depth you need, and work it back with twitches just like a jerkbait or a small vibe. It's a great tool for covering water and fishing deeper banks or flats, not just for fishing with sonar.
What rod and reel is best for a 9g lure like this?
To get the best action, you'll want a light setup. We'd pair this with a 1000 or 2500-size spinning reel and a light 1-3kg or 2-4kg graphite rod that has a fast, crisp tip. This gives you the control to 'jerk' the lure and the sensitivity to feel the bite.
Does this lure work for flathead?
Yes. At 9g, it's a great weight for flathead. You can cast it out, let it hit the bottom, and use sharp "hops" just like you would with a soft plastic. That hard darting action and the flash from the trebles can be very effective, especially on pressured fish.
Is this a freshwater or saltwater lure?
It's built for both. It's a proven fish-catcher on estuary species like bream and flathead, but it's just as effective in freshwater for bass, yellowbelly, and redfin. It's a genuine all-rounder for light-tackle predators.
A modern lure for tech-savvy anglers, or a great sinking lure for traditional casting. Choose your colour and add a Finisher to your kit.
