Keith Lusher 05.26.25
When it comes to targeting big bass, the trend of throwing oversized baits has dominated the fishing community in recent years. Although I’ve never thrown too many oversized baits, I’m always on the lookout for new options. After hearing the name “Cullshad” uttered by numerous of my bass tournament fishing friends, I decided to try one out and see what the fuss was about.
Specifications
- Sizes: 6″ (1 1/5 oz), 8″
- Hook: Pre-rigged harness with Fusion19™ treble hook
- Technology: Patent-pending PowerBait Honey Comb Technology
- Smart Weighting: Adjustable depth control with nail weights
- Material: Soft plastic with honeycomb reinforcement
- Possible Applications: Shallow cover, docks, points, seawalls, bluffs
First Impressions
Upon unboxing the CullShad, the substantial size immediately catches your attention. I was using the 6-inch size. This is definitely a “big bait for big fish” design. The build quality is impressive, with Berkley’s Honey Comb Technology visible in the tail section. The pre-rigged harness setup with the hook clip retention system shows thoughtful engineering; no need for special rigging skills to get started. The smart weighting system with pre-determined spots for adding nail weights is a clever touch that extends the lure’s versatility. The colors are vibrant and realistic, showing careful attention to mimicking natural forage. Overall, it feels like a premium offering in the harness-style swimbait category.
Score: 9.3/10
On-the-Water Performance
I tested the CullShad at a bog adjacent to a nearby swamp, which is not exactly the ideal environment for this lure, which I quickly discovered. The dense structure and hanging moss created challenges for working with this big bait effectively. The CullShad requires a decent retrieval speed to maintain its action, making it less suitable for tight, structure-heavy environments.
However, what became apparent was the lure’s ability to run true at various speeds without the dreaded “blowout” that plagues many swimbaits. The action is smooth and lifelike, creating a substantial wake that attracts attention. When I managed to find open water for longer casts, the bait’s swimming motion was hypnotic; even pushing a slight wake when retrieved along the surface.
Despite the challenging location, the moment of truth came when I made a long cast to the other side of the bog. As soon as the lure hit the water, I spotted a massive wake heading straight for it. A 3-pound bass absolutely crushed the bait, setting off an exciting battle that eventually led me to wade into the water to free the fish from a submerged log. That experience alone validated the lure’s effectiveness as a big-bass attractor.
Score: 9.5/10
Durability The CullShad’s Honey Comb Technology isn’t just marketing jargon—it genuinely enhances the bait’s longevity. After multiple collisions with logs, branches, and other structure, the bait showed minimal damage. The reinforced tail section, which is typically the first part to tear on swimbaits, maintained its integrity impressively well.
The pre-rigged harness system also proved surprisingly tough. The hook clip retention system kept the treble hook secured during casts but released perfectly when the bass struck. This design significantly reduces the frustration of hooks catching on debris during retrieval.
Even after landing that aggressive 3-pounder and the subsequent struggle with the log, the CullShad remained intact and fishable. This durability factor is crucial considering the premium price point of harness-style swimbaits.
Score: 9.4/10
Effectiveness
While my testing conditions weren’t ideal, the CullShad proved its worth with that single, decisive strike. This lure is clearly designed for more open water scenarios—around docks, shallow points, seawalls, and bluffs—where its substantial profile and wake-generating action can shine.
The smart weighting system adds versatility by allowing anglers to adjust the sink rate for different scenarios. This feature extends the CullShad’s effectiveness beyond the typical harness swimbait applications, potentially making it useful in slightly deeper water situations.
What impressed me most was how quickly the bait generated a reaction strike, even in less-than-perfect conditions. The combination of its size, action, and PowerBait scent technology seems to trigger the predatory instinct in bass effectively.
For anglers specifically targeting trophy bass in the right environments (which admittedly wasn’t my testing scenario), the CullShad appears to be a highly effective option that combines the best aspects of traditional harness swimbaits with Berkley’s innovative technologies.
Score: 8.8/10
Final Thoughts
The Berkley PowerBait CullShad is best suited for tournament anglers looking to land trophy-class bass when five bites need to count. Its substantial profile and lifelike action excel at triggering aggressive strikes from bigger fish—exactly what you need when competing for a big bag.
This is not a finesse bait by any means, and my experience confirmed it’s definitely not recommended for fishing in close quarters with heavy structure or vegetation. I’d mush rather use it in more open water scenarios—lake points, flats, seawalls, and around docks with sufficient space to work the bait.
For anglers willing to commit to the “big bait, big fish” philosophy and who fish predominantly open water, the CullShad offers a compelling option that combines durability with fish-catching action. However, if your typical fishing spots involve tight spaces and heavy cover, you might want to save this one for those special trips to more suitable waters where you can truly unleash its potential.
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