Best Shad Floating Fishing Lures of 2025

Luke Dobson Avatar
Luke Dobson
Last Updated: 6 Feb 2025

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Shad Floating Fishing Lures are a popular choice among fishing enthusiasts. These lures are designed to resemble shad, a type of fish that is a common prey for many game fish. The lures are made with high-quality materials and are designed to float on the water's surface, making them an excellent choice for topwater fishing. They come in a variety of sizes and colours to suit different fishing conditions and preferences. Many anglers have reported success using these lures to catch a variety of fish species.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Tackle House Vulture Floating Fishing Lure - Shad Cover #TOP 1
Tackle House Vulture Floating Fishing Lure - Shad
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Rapala X-Rap Jointed Shad Fishing Lure Cover #TOP 2
Rapala X-Rap Jointed Shad Fishing Lure
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Strike King Red Eye Shad Lipless Crankbait Cover #TOP 3
Strike King Red Eye Shad Lipless Crankbait
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Shad Floating Fishing Lures

Tackle House Vulture Floating Fishing Lure - Shad

RTVT-8
Shad
120mm Long / 20g
Tackle House Vulture Floating Fishing Lure - Shad Cover
Tackle House Resistance Vulture Floating Fishing Lure - Shad

The Tackle House Vulture Lure features a unique lip position located in the middle of the belly, allowing for impressive action even during a normal retrieve. This design makes it extremely effective and user-friendly, ensuring that you can enjoy fishing without unnecessary complications. With a length of 120mm, it perfectly mimics bait fish, attracting more catches. Additionally, its superb Japanese quality finish, combined with Owner ST46 Trebles, enhances its effectiveness for bass fishing, making your fishing experience even more rewarding.

What We Like
Unique lip position for action
Ideal 120mm length
Easy to use
High-quality Japanese finish
#TOP 2

Rapala X-Rap Jointed Shad Fishing Lure

XJS13-HLW
Halloween.
Standard
Rapala X-Rap Jointed Shad Fishing Lure Cover
Rapala X-Rap Jointed Shad Mixed Fishing Lure Bait Fishing Accessories 2 Part Freshwater Depth 1.2-2.4m 13cm Made in Estonia Halloween Standard

The Rapala X-Rap Lure is designed for anglers seeking a highly realistic fishing experience. Its 13cm articulated body mimics the movement of a fish, making it effective for attracting predatory species. You can use this lure at depths of 1.2m to 2.4m, allowing for versatile fishing conditions. The neutral density ensures it stays in place when paused, while the holographic interior and 3D eyes enhance its visibility, enticing fish to bite.

What We Like
Highly realistic design
Effective for various fish
Neutral density for better action
Versatile depth range
#TOP 3

Strike King Red Eye Shad Lipless Crankbait

REYESD38-448
447 - Brown Craw
3/8 oz
Strike King Red Eye Shad Lipless Crankbait Cover
Strike King Red Eye Shad Fishing Lure, Lipless Crankbait, Free-floating Internal Rattles, 3D Eyes, Premium Size 4 Treble Hooks, 3/8-Ounce, Sinking

The Strike King Red Eye Shad is an essential lipless crankbait, perfect for targeting various fish like bass and walleye. Its premium engineering features realistic 3D eyes and free-floating rattles, which enhance its action and sound, making it more attractive to fish. You can use this lure in different seasons, working it along grass edges in spring or ripping it during summer to draw in fish from afar. Designed by experts, it ensures that you can fish with confidence, increasing your chances of landing bigger catches.

What We Like
Effective for various fish species
Realistic action and sound
All-season versatility
Designed by fishing professionals
Boosts fishing confidence
#TOP 4

Rapala Shallow Shad Rap 05 Fishing Lure

SSR05S
silver
Rapala Shallow Shad Rap 05 Fishing Lure Cover
Rapala Shallow Shad Rap 05 Fishing lure (Silver, Size- 2.5)

The Rapala Shad Rap 05 is an exceptional fishing lure designed to attract big fish. Crafted from balsa wood, it features stunning finishes that make it irresistible to fish. Its shallow running lip design allows it to glide effortlessly through the water, making it perfect for targeting fish in shallow areas. Additionally, the classic "wounded-minnow" wobble mimics the natural movement of injured prey, increasing your chances of a successful catch. With this lure, you can enjoy a more effective fishing experience.

What We Like
Irresistible to big fish
Shallow running for easy use
Realistic "wounded-minnow" action
Durable balsa wood construction

Rapala Jointed Shad Rap 07 Fishing Lure Firetiger

JSR07FT
Firetiger
One Size
Rapala Jointed Shad Rap 07 Fishing Lure Firetiger Cover
Rapala Jointed Shad Rap 07 Fishing Lure (Firetiger)

The Rapala Jointed Shad Rap is a versatile fishing lure designed to mimic a distressed minnow, making it highly effective for attracting fish. Its suspending feature allows you to pause the lure at different depths, increasing your chances of a catch. The quick diving lip design enables rapid descent, so you can reach fish in deeper waters with ease. Made from lightweight and durable plastic, this lure ensures long-lasting performance, giving you confidence on your fishing trips.

What We Like
Effective distressed minnow design
Quick diving for deeper waters
Lightweight and durable construction
Easy to use and handle

Storm Swim Shad Fishing Lure, 4-Inch

WSS04NSD
Natural Shad
Storm Swim Shad Fishing Lure, 4-Inch Cover
Storm Swim Shad Fishing Lure, Natural Shad, 4-Inch

The Storm Swim Shad Lure is designed to mimic the natural swimming action of shad, making it an excellent choice for attracting fish. Its full spectrum colours and tough yet soft outer body enhance visibility while ensuring durability. The 3D holographic WildEye and swimmin' flash foil provide an enticing shimmer in the water, increasing your chances of a catch. Additionally, the internal weighting allows for ideal swimming action, helping you present the lure effectively in various conditions.

What We Like
Natural swimming action
Durable and soft body
Holographic features attract fish
Ideal for various fishing conditions
#TOP 7

momolures JERK SLIDER 130SP Fishing Lure

RB SHAD
momolures JERK SLIDER 130SP Fishing Lure Cover
momolures Bass Lures JERK SLIDER 130SP 21g Floating for Pike, Zandar, Bass/ORBIT 130mm Style (RB SHAD)

The momolures JERK SLIDER is a 130mm, 21g floating fishing lure, perfect for catching Pike, Bass, and Zander. Its innovative magnet-weight lock system allows for extremely long-distance casting, ensuring stability in the water once the weight is secured. You can employ the effective jerk and pose method, which helps attract fish with ease. Additionally, the lure is equipped with three ST-36 #6 treble hooks, providing a better chance of catching fish when they bite.

What We Like
Long-distance casting
Stable action in water
Effective jerk and pose method
Three sharp treble hooks

Megabass Vision 110 Oneten Lure GP Sexy Shad

00000017234
GP SEXY SHAD
Megabass Vision 110 Oneten Lure GP Sexy Shad Cover
Megabass Vision 110 Oneten Regular Slow Floating Lure GP Sexy Shad (8417)

The Megabass Vision 110 Lure is designed for floating fishing, offering a weight of 14 grams which helps in achieving accurate casts. At 11 cm in length, this lure is suitable for various fishing techniques. Its striking GP Sexy Shad colour not only attracts fish but also mimics natural prey effectively. As a single piece, it allows for easy handling and convenience when you're out fishing, enhancing your overall experience.

What We Like
Effective floating design
Attractive colour pattern
Easy to handle
Lightweight for accurate casting
#TOP 9

Rapala Husky Jerk 10 Fishing Lure - Tennessee Shad

HJ10TSD
Tennessee Shad
6 UK
Rapala Husky Jerk 10 Fishing Lure - Tennessee Shad Cover
Rapala Husky Jerk 10 Fishing lure (Tennessee Shad, Size- 4)

The Rapala Husky Jerk 10 is an exceptional fishing lure designed for versatility. Its suspending and neutral buoyancy feature allows you to target fish effectively by keeping the lure in the strike zone for longer periods. With its long-casting ability, you can cover more water, increasing your chances of a catch. The lure also boasts loud rattles, which attract fish by mimicking the sounds of distressed prey. Additionally, it runs straight and true, ensuring a realistic presentation as you cast or troll, making it easier for you to entice fish.

What We Like
Effective suspending design
Long casting distance
Attracts fish with rattles
Runs straight and true
#TOP 10

4.5" Floating Gillman Glide Bait Lure

Real Fish
Pumkpkinseed
FLOATER
4.5" Floating Gillman Glide Bait Lure Cover
4.5" RF Gillman Glide Bait Bass Musky Striper Fishing Big Lure Multi Jointed Shad Trout Kits Slow Sinking or Floating (4.5" Pumkpkinseed Floater)

The Gillman Glide Bait is an excellent choice for anglers targeting suspended fish. Its floating design makes it particularly effective when fish are looking for an easy meal. When you swim this bait over shallow spawning areas, you can witness the thrilling moment as larger fish strike. The realistic photo imaging and lifelike profile create a natural look that attracts fish. Coupled with sharp VMC hooks, this bait offers a superior fishing experience, enticing those big catches you desire.

What We Like
Effective for suspended fish
Realistic lifelike design
Sharp VMC hooks included
Great for shallow areas
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a shad lure good for?

The quivering, undulating tails give them an alluring motion and send out vibrations that add an auditory appeal to lure a fish to strike. Plus, they also work year-round, in both cold weather conditions and on brutally hot summer days. No wonder soft plastic shad lures are one of the most effective baits you can use.

2. Do shad bite lures?

Since American shad typically don't feed when they're in freshwater (they are plankton eaters in the ocean), why they'll bite a fly or lure is not completely understood. As with river salmon, the general consensus is shad strike out of aggression, but I think they are actually quite inquisitive by nature.

Editor's Notes

During our shad floating fishing lure research, we found 147 shad floating fishing lure products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 5,602 customer reviews through our big data system to write the shad floating fishing lures list. We found that most customers choose shad floating fishing lures with an average price of £17.21.

The shad floating fishing lures are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of shad floating fishing lures, including Tackle House, Rapala, Strike King, momolures, Megabass. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 435 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Luke Dobson Avatar

Luke is a runner, a climber, hiker, hunter, and a lot more. Luke Dobson is Celtic-born and has lived most of his life in Scotland. However, his sporting endeavours have taken him to several countries around Europe. He serves as a tour guide for countless companies and owns a couple of gyms and recreational centres in Scotland. Luke Dobson is proficient in 7 different languages. He maintains many sport article columns where he shares his wealth of experience in the sport industry.