Poland is no stranger to lurebuilding manufacturers. It probably has as many lure production companies as Japan does. They all seem to be fitting in the same category: foam crankbaits. There are of course some rare sightings of hard plastic hardbaits. As I said…. Rare!

Dorado Triada company has a very vast array of hardbaits, ranging from the very small, as the Dorado Magic 1.8cm, which is probably the smallest production crankbait I own, to big cahona pike jerkbaits, that are very popular in Europe.

For this review we chose Dorado Invader I4, which is a very versatile lure, and can be found in either floating and sinking version, which is a plus in my book.

I say it’s a very versatile bait, because it can be easily fished really efficient in both flowing water and still waters. This lure is stable in very fast flowing currents, and it can be fished at a very slow pase in lakes for e.g.

Packing is as simple as it gets… Nothing fancy, just what it takes to keep the lure safe.

Finish: As you’d expect from a Polish foam lure there’s nothing spectacular about it at first sight, but it has some really interesting detailed patterns, probably the best minnow patterns I’ve seen on a lure. No 3d eyes, and no detailed carved scales, but that’s just for the fisherman to notice. The fish will never notice these details. I’d have to say I’d love a few highly reflective metallic patterns amongst their actual colors. Other than that, the coating is as tough as it gets. Much tougher in time compared to much higher priced JDM lures I own. I have some Dorado lures for more than 2-3 years now, and even after lots and lot of fish caught they still looks like new, which is a real bonus.

Dorado invader 4cm - a very nice array of patterns

This is a shad type of crankbait, which has a typical shad design, nothing fancy, just the essentials for catching fish. The lip seems to be polycarbonate, and is as tough as it gets.

Terminals: At this price I didn’t expect high quality trebles, but Mustad has trebles much better than these, at the same price-point, like the 3551 , I would certainly prefer the other, as they are heavyer wire construction, sharper, and I wouldn’t probably go to the trouble of changing them. They have the same trebles as the Krakusek, and they bend quite easily. I’ve lost a good sized trout because I was lazy changing them. Other than the trebles, the split rings look to be tough, and … you guessed it: it has thru’ wire construction, which make them ideal for saltwater fishing as well. Saltwater is probably the ultimate battering test a lure can get. I’ve had some plastic lures fail on me even in freshwater… So you understand where all of this is coming from.

Mustad produces much better trebles at the same price point.

Casting and diving depth: Even though they don’t feature long casting system, 8 out of 10 casts they fly like they had the system, without tumbling through the air. It’s most likely because the line tie is in front of the lure, considering it’s a deep diver. The 4 cm invader is really castable on a light to medium-light outfit. You’ll be able to fish the sinking version on finesse baitcasters if ever faced with the challenge, but you’ll be limited in casting distance. You’ll most certainly be able to cast the 5cm one, and very well for that matter.

Notice the polycarbonate lip is stamped with the Dorado name

Dorado makes the invader in lengths up to 14cm, with which they brag of catching lots of double digit pike and catfish. The 4 cm version dives up to 1.6-1.8m on a very long cast.

Action: They got me on the first cast. I instantly knew they would be killers. They have a medium-tight wobble: not to tight, but not to wide either. I’d say just perfect. I would love if they all ran true straight out of their packaging, but I would be lying if I told you so. Some of them need a little twitching, but in the end you’ll get them running.

Video:

I mainly use them for lake trout, chub, and have to mention zander (walleye) and asp as well. It’s a good lure, that I don’t leave home without, especially when fishing those finicky wild lake trout. It certainly does the trick for me. Try them out, they might work for you as well.

They also have really good match the hatch patterns for what trout and other fish are foraging upon.

Trout seem to like them

Conclusion: Invader is a cheap lure, for every pocket. I prefer action over the lure’s actual outer-looks in any given day of the week. They’re a must have in my tackle box. The more patterns the merrier. As Dorado mentions on their website: “These lures are designed to catch fish not anglers!”. I would have to agree with that saying.

About Andrei

Professional angler, rodbuilder, lurebuilder, if it's about fishing you name it, he does it. He hates "relaxing", and takes each day as a challange. Whenever he's got a spare moment he's either fishing, cycling, hiking or training his ass at the gym. He's fishing for more than 20 years now. Strictly on artifficial baits from the age of 7, he's always on the look out for the newest stuff and techniques out there.

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I’ve been asked a lot, during some endless chat with different fishermen, what lures do I like most, what are my favorites for some specific application. You know, the same type of questions that pops in at every start of a relationship, questions like: “What’s you favourite color/actor/book/movie..etc?”.

The truth is I do have favorites, even though I try to get all objective and distant from my tackle box, and try to leave no room for subjectivity, I must admit I have “feelings” of some kind for my equipment. It’s impossible and much less fun not to get attached to these things.

You sort of realize this after you get caught playing with your new custom rod in the living room (sometimes even talking to it), making false casts in your back yard under your neighbors suspicious looks or waking yourself up by trying to set the hook while having a personal record fantasy. Not to mention you can easily take a one hour conversation on any type of fishing line.

Yes, I know what you’re thinking. And no, you’re not a fanatic, you’re just a passionate angler. That makes two of us.

After getting used to the fact that I’m pretty selective, and have favorite lures for about any fishing technique or species, it’s time to share them with the rest of you out there. I thought of starting with a species of fish that’s very common in Europe, similar to the American walleye, a fish called zander, which is also a very popular game fish.

One of my all time favorite zander lure types are soft baits. I consider these to be extremely versatile, meaning they can come in handy in a big variety of situations you face on the water.

Let’s take a look at the lures I wouldn’t leave home without when fishing for zander. If you can’t find them in your tackle box, I strongly suggest to give them a try. You never know, they might end up in your personal top 10.

Because European zander is very similar in his behavior with the American walleye, I really think these soft baits will do a great job in walleye fishing also.

1. Relax Kopyto
Relax is a famous soft bait company located in Poland. It has a big range of soft baits aimed for many species of predators. Relax Kopyto is a big hit when it comes to spin fishing for predators. It’s an aggressive and super effective soft bait. It has a fantastic fish attracting tail action which makes this lure deadly for zander.

Relax Kopyto 6.5cm, a universal size that will make walleye and zander go nuts!

Kopyto is my favourite zander lure, especially during spring time, when zander becomes very aggressive and start protecting their nest. Kopyto comes in 6 dimensions, starting from 3.5cm to 15cm. When fishing for zander I usually use the 6.5cm and 7.5cm models.

Andrei showing off with his killer Kopyto lure on a 1/0 Gamakatsu hook.

2. Mann’s Shad
The first thing you notice about Mann’s lures, is that they are really really soft. This thing gives them a unique tail action and body wobble, which send out huge vibrations.

Mann's shad is by far one of the softest bait I fished with.

Mann’s shad comes in 4 sizes, and 12 colors and was initially developed for pike and zander fishing. What I like most about Mann’s shad is that it can be fished at extremely slow speeds, which makes it perfect for natural, slow presentations.

This little guy just won't let go. It must be the Mann's effect.

3. Relax Aqua
Another Relax candidate, would be the Aqua shad. It’s the perfect bait for the classical jigging technique. It has a wide tail action that can really make a difference, especially when dealing with suspicious zander.

Relax Aqua will never let you down when dealing with suspicious zander.

The soft materials (silicon) used to manufacture these baits are also very resistant, and don’t affect at all the underwater evolution.

Me and a 8lbs zander who couldn't resist an Aqua shad on Sarulesti lake.

4. Cabela’s Aqua Glow
One of my favorite lures for offset techniques. I use it a lot when fishing Carolina or Texas rigs for zander in heavy cover areas. It works great at a slow retrieve, because it vibrates at every movement of the rod tip. I mainly use this lure when river fishing, in filled with structure areas, like boulders or trees. It has an incredible swimming action, making it an all year lure, regardless of the water temperature.

Cabela's Aqua Glow, an all year lure just perfect for offset rigs.

Another important detail is that each one of these lures is salt and garlic impregnated, in order to mask fish-spooking odors and to make the fish hold on to it longer.

Aqua Glow strikes again, 9lbs zander on a calm spring day.

5. Orka Shad
Orka is another European bait company, located in Serbia. It produces great soft baits, that I began to love more and more. In the beginning I was a little skeptical about the quality and efficiency of these baits, mainly because of their low price, but after testing them in different waters they really got my interest.

Orka Shad, a great serbian lure designed for around the world fishing.

Orka Shad comes in 13 sizes, starting 4cm to 26cm. I caught a lot of zander at sizes ranging from 7 to 11cm. Try also not to underestimate the bigger sizes, because the 14cm lures sometimes made a huge difference. Their strong tail action make it impossible not to trigger the fish’s natural response to attack.

This lure can really put a big smile on your face!

6. Orka Shad Tail
The Shad Tail is another must have in any tackle box. When everything else seems to fail, this lure works wonders.

Is this close to Paradise, or what?

It has a particular shape, with a shad body and a grub tail. Its specific vibration and tail action make it the perfect bait for tough situations, when fish don’t seem to be responding even though you know they’re there. There were days, even in zander tournaments, when switching to this bait got me 4 good fish in less than 10 minutes, from the same spot someone else fished for an hour before me without catching anything.

Shad Tail, just perfect for zander punkers.

7. Bass Assassin Turbo Shad
Bass Assassin is a soft bait company, located in Florida, who’s been around for about 20 years. I fished a lot with their Freshwater Shad Assassin lures, and one of my favorites is the 4” Turbo Shad.

Turbo Shad, one of the top lures from Bass Assassin.

It has a solid shad body with a paddle tail that generates great action, making it irresistible for European zander. This is another lure I often use for offset fishing. It’s shape allows the fish to swallow it instantly, and helps me make a good hookset, without losing many fish. I usually fish this lure with 1/0-4/0 offset hooks.

Perfect hookset on a 4'' Turbo Shad.

8. Bass Assassin Curly Shad
4” Freshwater Curly Shad in another Bass Assassin lure that makes zander go wild.

Bass Assassin Curly Shad with it's unique shape and tail position.

The winning recipe, dark colors for crystal clear waters.

It has a unique shape and tail position, which sends subtle vibrations, just perfect for cold water. Its tail acts like a rudder that steers the bait into a circular fall that really attracts predators.

A 6lbs zander, caught this winter on a -3 degrees Celsius day.

I use it a lot during the cold season, when river fishing. The slit in the belly, make this lure a good candidate for offset techniques, such as Texas or Carolina.

9. Charlie Brewer’s Slider
Maybe even without realizing, Charlie Brewer really came up with the ultimate finesse lure for zander. I’m talking about the 3” and 4″ Bass/Walleye/Striper Grub. As the name suggests, this lure was not intended for zander, but believe me when I tell you, it really is a powerful zander soft bait. Its vibra-tail causes an irresistible wobble that instantly awakes predatorial instincts.

Charlie Brewer's Slider designed the perfect zander finesse lure.

I fish this bait with a 6-10 lb line and the lightest weight possible, using a slow, steady retrieve with small movements from the rod’s tip. This grub can also be very efficient when fished in a drop-shot rig.

10. Big Byte Baits Shad
I initially bought this lure having no idea it was designed by Big Byte Baits. The 3” and 4” shads are amazing on lakes with big and aggressive zander. They work great with 2/0-4/0 jig hooks and weights from 1/4oz to 1/2oz.

Big Byte Baits, the name says it all!

This shad has an incredible swimming action both when fished using a rapid and aggressive retrieve, or at a slow-steady retrieve. It is also very efficient in river fishing, having caught many Danube zander over 10 lbs.

This lures, designed for walleye fishing, are also adored by his European brother.

So there you have it!  These are my favorite soft lures for fishing zander. They are the soft baits I trust the most, and I really think that with these 10 baits I could handle most of the tough situations faced on the water.

What about you? What’s your top 10? Did I miss anything?

About Adrian

Professional angler, web enthusiast and tackle fanatic. Always in search for new things that can improve his fishing.

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