Wesley Littlefield 12.30.25
Fishing the Berkley Riveter for largemouth bass in my pond throughout the fall has been a blast. It’s my go-to topwater lure in breezy conditions because it’s squeakier and clankier than my other buzzbaits. It’s available in two versions: skirted (like a traditional buzzbait) and standard toad (designed with soft-plastic frogs in mind as the skirt). Let’s get started with this Berkley Riveter review.
Specs & Design Features
- Colors: (Skirted) White with white blade, white with gold blade, chartreuse with white blade, black, blue, and purple with black blade, shad pattern with white blade, bluegill pattern with gold blade. (Toad) White, black, or gold blades
- Weights: (Skirted) ¼ oz and ⅜ oz. (Toad) Finesse and standard.
The Riveter was designed to create a loud, consistent squeak that’s tuneable and sheds debris. I can fine-tune it to the exact sound the fish want (or the one that annoys them most) by bending the wire toward the head for a heavier knock or away from the head for a cleaner squeak. I like the ¼ oz weight because it’s easier to keep on top of the water, but it still casts far.
Action & Presentation
The Berkley Riveter is simple to fish, which is one reason why I love it so much. I can vary my retrieve speed, and as long as it stays on the surface, I get bites. You don’t have to learn any fancy technique or presentation. Cast it out and reel it back on top of the water. It creates a commotion that drives bass crazy. I also appreciate that you can quickly adjust the sound/action of this buzzbait by bending the wire a little, but the wire isn’t so flimsy that it will bend on its own.
Rating:
8 / 10
Casting & Ease of Use
I prefer to fish the Riveter on a baitcasting rod and reel, but I’ve used it on a spinning rod and reel. As long as the rod is a moderate-heavy, fast-action rod, you’ll be able to set the hook on big bass. It’s easy to cast across my pond and land exactly where I want it, and I have no problem letting my daughter use it because it’s easy to fish with. It’s a beginner-friendly lure because it is so simple to use.
Rating:
9 / 10
Hookup Ratio & Fish Response
Topwater fishing is the best, and the Riveter doesn’t disappoint because bass explode on this buzzbait! The Fusion hook ensures the bass won’t get away as long as you set it well and keep the line tight (at least I haven’t lost a fish with it in the past few months). I’ve had a few missed strikes, but bass generally try to destroy this lure, making the hookup ratio pretty high.
Rating:
8 / 10
Durability & Longevity
I noticed the paint on the head (weight) of my skirted Riveter quickly chipped because the blade was knocking against it. This in no way affects the Riveters’ performance, just aesthetics. I expected this because I wanted the loud clanking sound it creates. But other than that, I expect to fish with this buzzbait for years.
Rating:
9 / 10
Versatility & Conditions
Because I can adjust the noisiness of this buzzbait, it’s more versatile than the others that I’ve fished in the past. However, you still need the proper conditions to fish it, and most of the time that means warm shallow water (5 feet or less) on relatively calm days. It’s still a buzzbait, so the Riveter will shine whenever you’d traditionally use a buzzbait. I don’t consider buzzbaits super versatile, but this one is a little more versatile than others that I’ve used.
Rating:
7 / 10
Value & Competition
The Riveter isn’t cheap, but that’s expected from Berkley. They don’t produce cheap baits and lures. Instead, they invest in delivering high-quality lures that catch fish. At $10.99 (skirted) and $9.99 (non-skirted), it’s about middle-of-the-road price-wise, so I’d definitely recommend purchasing a couple if you love fishing buzzbaits as much as I do. It’s definitely not overpriced, and since it should last you several years of fishing (unless you’re a hardcore tournament angler), you’ll get your money’s worth out of it.
Rating:
8 / 10
Overall Rating: Berkley Riveter Review
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or looking to purchase your first buzzbait, the Berkley Riveter is worth adding to your tackle box. Its adjustable sound and multiple color, style, and weight options ensure you’ll have the exact buzzbait to drive bass crazy on those dreamy topwater days. This buzzbaits shows that Berkley pays attention to the minute details, and as we all know, subtle changes can make all the difference when targeting finicky bass on a tough day.
Rating:
8.2 / 10
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