Fishbites “Fight Club” Scented Lures (Video Review: Top Pros & Cons)
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Inshore Fishing, Lure Reviews, Product Reviews, Shrimp Lures
Fishbites Fight Club!!!
No, not the movie with Brad Pitt…
I’m talking about an up and coming scented lure called Fight Club by Fishbites.
With lure names like these below, it’s tough not to want to try them out.
- Dirty Boxer Curly Tail
- Butt Kicker Paddle Tail
- Brawler Jerkbait
- Fight’n Shrimp
Although fishing lure manufacturer “Fishbites” might be a newer name to you (unless you live in North Florida where many guides and weekend warriors swear by them), these lures are 30 years in the making (we’ve posted the video of their story below the review).
I first started testing them out after looking for some similar baits to the Berkley Gulp baits (after my love/hate relationship with Gulps leaves me wondering if they will ever bring back their original Gulp bait formula), because these Fishbites are very similar to Gulps:
- They have the same water/oil-based properties (not PVC like most soft plastic lures)
- They both release scent once it hits the water
- They both need to be kept in “secret scent juice” to avoid shrinking up like a raisin…
Let’s talk about the pros and cons of these Fighbites baits.
Pros of Fishbites Fight Club Lures
Here are the top things I really like about these Fishbite lures:
- They are tougher and firmer (and last a bit longer) than Berkley Gulp
- They have a built-in scent that automatically releases when the bait hits the water
- The Fishbites scent isn’t as pungent (smelly) as the Berkley Gulp
- Biodegradable
- A 6-pack of the Fishbites shrimp will run you $5.89 (according to the Fishbites website) vs a 6-pack of Gulp Shrimp is around $7.00 (according to this recent Amazon listing)
Cons of Fishbites Fight Club Lures
Here are the top things I didn’t like about them:
- They shrink up and become completely unusable if left out of the water or Fightclub juice for too long (they can also ruin hooks if left on too long)
- With the Buttkicker paddle tail, I found it hard to do a slow retrieve and still get a good presentation
- I had a couple deformed baits from sitting incorrectly for too long in the packaging (so make sure to check the package to make sure none of the lures have lost their form)
- They don’t have massive nationwide distribution yet so they can be tough to find in stores if you aren’t near a tackle store that sells them (but you can still buy online)
Fishbites Fight Club Review (VIDEO)
In this video, I review both the Fishbites Fight Club “Fight’n Shrimp” and the “Butt Kicker” Paddle tail.
Enjoy.
The Fishbites Story – History
Here’s a cool video I found on their site regarding how they got started.
Family owned by Dr. William Car (avid angler and marine researcher) and his family.
Conclusion
Overall, I’m digging these Fight Club lures from Fishbites.
None of these scented soft plastics are perfect, but these lures from Fishbites seem to last longer than the Berkley Gulps (and look, work, and perform similarly).
One downside is that Fishbites doesn’t have the distribution of a company like Berkley/Pure Fishing yet, so unless you near a store that carries them, you have to order online (you can see their store here), but that isn’t really that big of an issue in this digital age (assuming you don’t get a pack with a bunch of deformed lures).
I’m looking forward to trying out more of these Fish Club lures.
So what are your thoughts on these Fishbite lures?
Have you used these Fight Club scented lures or any other baits from their lineup?
Let me know in the comments below.
Tight lines!
Related Post: 7 Essential Saltwater Fishing Lures That Can Catch Fish Anywhere (see it here now)
Do You Want To Quickly Find New Fishing Spots In Your Area?
Then you’ve got to see this private fishing club!
Here’s what you’ll receive today:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing where the inshore fish are feeding all year long
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in certain areas
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Click here to join today.
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Gret Report Tony! I , like everyone else, is getting tired of using the new Gulps. If these perform as good, it’s a no brainer. Keep us informed of tests and results.
Thanks Richard, will do!
Good report Tony, I’ve used some jerk baits and shrimp last week w/o much action, I found that after short time of use the watermelon color baits turned to a pink color. Have you noticed this? The shrimp bait looks like it might be good but haven’t got any strikes other than snappers/lady fish so far.
Thanks Ron!
Very interesting, I haven’t really noticed that color change before.
I live in northeast fl and although I use the fishbites strips consistently I have tried fishbites lures in the paddletail as well but like you hated the action in fact unless using it on a spinnerbait there really isn’t any action to speak of but when used as a trailer for a spinnerbait either safety pin or inline there is some action but personally as far as scent goes I’ll stick with the procure or gulp why switch to something different because like the old mechanic saying goes if it’s not broken don’t try and fix it! In other words if something works well for you why switch but I know your just trying them out anyways haven’t tried the fight club ones yet but I expect them to be no real difference from the other fishbites lures that I have tried except the strips I cut them in small square chunks then tip my jigs and spinnerbaits for more scent awesome product thanks for the test
Thank you for the great feedback Steven!
Yep I still stick to my usual “go-to” lures even though I have been trying out a bunch of different ones. There are a few, however, that I have grown pretty fond of. The lures made by Chasebaits USA have been catching me some quality fish lately, and they are very durable and have lasted for multiple trips.
Good stuff, Tony. I tried the paddle tail fishbites last week – terrible action. Will stick with Zman.
Thank you for the feedback Gary!
Thanks for the heads up on these. I’m running out of my old Gulp shrimp and currently looking for an alternative. Did you find them local here in Orlando? If so, where?
No problem Pat!
Yep I picked them up at Academy Sports and Outdoors.
Great review Tony. I was just looking at this bait a few days ago. I decided against the purchase because I am a firm believer in the plastics I use. The ones I use are DOA, gulp and zman. I struggle with changing what works for me thus the reason I did not buy this bait.
Thank you for the great feedback Charles! I still use the Gulp stuff more and have slowly started to get into the Zman baits. I’m not sure if i’m 100% sold on these yet. I would like to give them a test on some tailing fish to see if they show interest compared to Gulp. I’m almost always guaranteed a hook up on a properly placed Gulp bait.
Hey Toni have you been catching as many fish with the Fishbites as with the Gulp?
Hey Andy,
I just started using them, but haven’t been able to get one in front of a fish yet with all of this rain we’ve been having. I would’t doubt that these can catch fish, but it really comes down to having confidence in the lure and being in the feeding zone.