MADNESS Madshad 130 - 13 cm Soft Shad

Product benefits

Resulting from a close collaboration between Satoshi Iwamoto, brand president and developer, and the MADNESS teams, the Madshad has become over the years a benchmark soft lure for predator fishing. Designed to produce a natural and highly attractive action, this shad is intended to seduce both wary fish and active predators.

Its major strength lies in the use of next-generation soft materials, more responsive than earlier versions. This improvement increases tail-beat frequency, even with lighter weighted heads or during slow presentations. The lure comes to life at very low speed, allowing you to stay longer in fish-holding zones.

The Madshad retains everything that made it successful in fast twitching retrieves: a powerful swim, strong rolling and excellent stability. It also gains versatility by becoming deadly in steady retrieves and cranking. This versatile soft shad covers a wide range of situations, from quick prospecting to more subtle near-bottom fishing.

Thanks to its balanced design, it remains easy to animate, even for anglers new to soft plastics. More experienced anglers will appreciate the precision of its action and its responsiveness to subtle changes of cadence or depth.

Technical specifications

• Shad-type soft lure developed for predator fishing.


• Soft material optimized for a high tail-beat frequency, even at low speed.


• Wide, mobile tail generating strong vibrations and pronounced rolling.


• Performs well with light or heavier weighted heads, depending on conditions.


• Designed for animations in twitching, steady retrieves and cranking.


• Profile engineered for good stability and consistent swimming across different water layers.


• Compatible with many market jigheads, ideal with Xorus Ultihead Evo heads for a balanced setup.


• Available in several sizes and color options to suit various predators and environments.

Advantages and strengths

The main advantage of the Madshad MADNESS is its versatility. Initially designed for fast twitching retrieves, it has been progressively improved to become a soft lure effective in many presentation styles. Whether you prefer steady prospecting over weedbeds, fishing close to the bottom or regular cranking, this shad adapts easily.

Another major asset is its ability to swim with lighter weighted heads. This feature allows slower presentations, longer residence time in the strike zone and can trigger bites from educated or inactive fish. The swim starts at the slightest movement, making the lure particularly effective during controlled descents.

The Madshad also stands out for its reliability. Used for many years by numerous anglers, it has proven itself in freshwater and saltwater on a wide variety of predators. Its shape and density are the result of extensive field testing, ensuring consistent and predictable behaviour even in tough conditions.

Finally, the direct collaboration with a recognised developer like Satoshi Iwamoto ensures meticulous work on every detail: body profile, tail angle, overall balance… Each element is designed to deliver a durable, high-performance soft lure, suited to both competitors and demanding recreational anglers.

Usage tips

To get the most from the Madshad, pair it with weighted heads suited to current, depth and fishing area. Xorus Ultihead Evo heads provide a particularly harmonious combination, securing the lure well and offering perfectly balanced action.

For twitching, cast far ahead, let the lure sink near the bottom, then impart sharp pulls with the rod before letting it fall while controlling the line. The soft material and Madshad tail work equally well on the ascent and descent, often triggering follow-up bites.

For steady retrieves, reel at a constant speed keeping light contact with the bottom or skimming obstacles. The continuous vibrating action of this soft shad allows you to cover large areas quickly and locate active fish.

For cranking, simply vary retrieve speed slightly or add short pauses to change rhythm. The Madshad reacts immediately, provoking strikes from trailing predators.

Don’t hesitate to adjust size and color according to prey size and water clarity, while staying within the Madshad range to retain the same effective swimming signature.

FAQ

Question 1: Which species is the Madshad most effective on?

Answer: The Madshad MADNESS is designed to target a wide variety of predators, in freshwater and saltwater. It is particularly suited to species that react to strong vibrations and animations such as twitching, steady retrieves or cranking, while remaining versatile enough to fit many lure fishing strategies.