Keith Lusher 02.12.25
Plastic Swimbaits are among some of my favorite lures to use. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve used swimbaits to catch bass, redfish, trout, and countless other species. Matrix Shad, Storm, and Bass Assassin – are among my favorites when it comes to catching fish on artificials.
So when I spotted a new swimbait on the shelf at the tackle store, I just had to try it out. It’s the Berkley PowerBait Drip Swimmer, and it’s primarily designed to target freshwater species – particularly bass.
Specifications
- Length: 3″, 4″, 5″
- Package Count: 5
- Colors Tested: HD Emerald Shine
- Possible Rigs: Drop shot, swim-shot, strolling, jighead, trailer, or snap jigs
- Material: Soft plastic
First Impressions
Since these baits come in a clear, hard plastic casing, I could see that they were incredibly detailed with numerous color schemes that changed throughout the minnow. After opening the package, the minnows were of perfect firmness. I’ve made lures in the past and would describe them as made with medium plastisol. Not too firm and not too soft. The package recommends using them on a jig head, but I just couldn’t resist nose-hooking one and letting it swim freely without a weight.
On-the-Water Performance
I tried the Drip Swimmer at a local lake near my house. During the winter, the bass in the lake gang up on shad in the deep water and run them to the surface. They explode on the shad near the surface, making for quite an exciting scene.
My plan was to nose-hook a minnow and cast it as far out into the middle as possible. I was using an Ugly Stick Ultralight Combo and was able to cast the minnow about 30 yards without a weight. As I worked it in, I watched the minnow’s movement, which was sporadic, which I liked. I don’t like it when swimbaits spin or walk back and forth like a topwater lure sometimes does.
The minnow darted left – right – up and down with no pattern. The biggest thing that I noticed was the action. This minnow doesn’t have a typical paddle tail, which sometimes holds a bait back. The Drip Minnow has a tiny ball on the tail (drip), which allows it to move quickly and smoothly through the water. I’d compare the action to a Zoom Fluke with one caveat: the Drip Minnow did not make any jumps.
Durability
While it’s a soft plastic lure, it was able to hold up for about 100 casts. That was when I caught my first bass. The bass jumped and shook the plastic off of the hook, but at least I was able to land the bass. The durability is average. It’s not made of Kevlar, which is more durable, but I’d rather keep the lure’s action intact than risk the stiffness Kevlar can sometimes introduce. Plus, nose-hooking isn’t the best way to keep a plastic lure.
Effectiveness
I was able to whip the Drip Minnow out over most of the lake and used it for about 3 hours. During that time, I had 7 hits and connected on four bass, with my biggest bass weighing 3 pounds (One tank of bass). Now, that may not be an excellent hookup rate, but keep in mind that I was nose-hooking these minnows, which is to blame for losing so many fish. I was thoroughly happy with the aggressive way these bass tagged the Drip Minnow.
Pros and Cons
Closing Thoughts
The Drip Swimmer delivered a solid performance for its price of $8.99 and is an excellent choice for bass anglers. Its strength is the lifelike coloration and action. The bait has multiple layers of translucent coloration that can be seen even down into the middle of the plastic. It’s one of the most realistic plastic swimbaits that I’ve ever seen.
I loved the lure and aim to stock my tackle bag with different colored minnows. While I only used them in freshwater, I don’t see why they wouldn’t work on inshore saltwater fish. I particularly want to try the 3-inch lures on a drop-shot rig in the marshes of Southeast LA.
For anglers looking to add versatility to their tackle box, the Berkley PowerBait Drip Swimmer offers a great combination of realistic design and presentation. Its unique tail action and PowerBait technology make it a standout choice for both rookies and experienced fishermen. Whether targeting bass in freshwater or exploring saltwater possibilities, these swimbaits are a solid option for putting fish in the boat.
For more information on the PowerBait Drip Minnow, click here
Trending Products
