MADNESS Balam 245 Floating Swimbait - 24.5 cm

Product highlights

The Madness Balam 245 is a reference floating swimbait for anglers hunting trophy predators. With its large dimensions and multi-segment articulated design, it perfectly reproduces the swim of a big baitfish, making it an ideal lure for pike and large black bass. Its rigid ABS resin body combined with a silicone tail provides strength, flexibility and realism, even after multiple strikes.

Developed by Madness in collaboration with Japanese specialist Satan Shimada, the Balam 245 follows the legendary Balam 300 while offering a more manageable size for many fishing situations. This articulated swimbait is built to withstand very high retrieve speeds: it stays stable, producing a wide, vibrating swim that can trigger reflex strikes from following or inactive fish.

Conversely, it also excels on slow retrieves as a classic swimbait, producing a broad, seductive undulation. This dual ability makes the Balam 245 an extremely versatile lure, effective both for fast prospecting and for methodical approaches in high-pressure fishing areas.

Technical specifications

• Large floating swimbait designed to hunt trophy predators.


• Articulated body in 4 rigid ABS resin segments for smooth, realistic swim.


• Soft silicone tail providing high mobility and natural vibrations.


• Weight approximately 105 g for long, accurate casts with proper gear.


• Length approximately 245 mm, ideal for selecting large fish.


• Handles fast retrieves without losing stability or twisting in the water.


• Perfectly usable on slow retrieves for a classic swimbait action.


• Fitted with Decoy YF 33 F treble hooks size 2/0, strong and sharp.


• Designed for fishing big pike and large black bass.


• Suited for prospecting in large lakes, gravel pits, slow rivers or deep zones.

Advantages and strengths

The main asset of the Balam 245 lies in its ultra-realistic swim. The combination of its four-segment body and silicone tail creates a wide, fluid and continuous movement that faithfully imitates an injured or fleeing baitfish. This visual realism is amplified by a significant water displacement, allowing the lure to be detected from afar by predators, even in slightly stained water.

Its ability to sustain very high-speed retrieves is another decisive strength. Where many swimbaits fail or lose efficiency, the Balam 245 remains stable and fishable. This trait enables reflex strikes from following fish, often reluctant to bite slower presentations. Alternating fast phases and pauses can provoke brutal and spectacular reactions.

Conversely, the lure performs equally well on slow animations. Used on a steady retrieve or with intermittent pauses, it keeps an attractive swim, perfectly suited to wary fish or high-pressure conditions. The Balam 245 thus offers true animation versatility, making it a valuable tool to adapt to predator behaviour throughout the day.

Finally, its factory rigging with Decoy treble hooks size 2/0 ensures excellent hook sets and reduces drops. Anglers thus get a ready-to-fish lure without immediate modifications, which is appreciated for a swimbait of this category.

Usage tips

To get the best from the Madness Balam 245, use a powerful casting or spinning setup with a rod offering good backbone and a reliable reel. A braided mainline paired with a leader suitable for pike teeth secures fights with the largest specimens. Make sure to set the drag properly to handle the violent strikes typical of swimbait attacks.

When prospecting, start with fast, steady retrieves to cover water and assess fish activity. Don’t hesitate to add short accelerations or cadence changes to amplify the fleeing-prey effect. If predators follow without committing, progressively slow down to a slow or semi-static presentation, focusing on marked areas (breaks, shallows, weed edges).

In heavily fished waters, vary swim depths by changing retrieve speed and rod angle. The Balam 245, being a floating swimbait, allows you to run along edges, skim over weeds or explore deeper zones while maintaining a natural action. Always adapt your presentation to season, water temperature and fish mood to maximize this exceptional lure’s potential.

FAQ

Question 1 : Is the Madness Balam 245 only suitable for expert anglers?

Answer: Although highly appreciated by swimbait specialists, the Balam 245 remains accessible to intermediate anglers. Its swim is effective with simple straight retrieves, and it handles both slow and fast animations, allowing anyone to successfully target large predators.