Skip to main content

Gear: Berkley Hit Stick

Gear: Berkley Hit Stick

Berkley Hit Stick

Description and Application: The new Berkley Hit Stick was created out of necessity after extensive time in Research and Development at the Berkley labs. The design is a familiar floating minnow-bait profile, but what it’s constructed of is the key feature. The polycarbonate and ABS materials produce the kind of action expected from traditional balsa baits, but with exceptional durability to withstand countless toothy bites all while maintaining consistent action.

Offering multi-species versatility, the Hit Stick can be trolled or cast while delivering a high-speed rolling action that trailing fish will find hard to resist. The integrated FlashDisc technology offers internal weighting that not only increases casting distance and improves accuracy, but it aids in maintaining consistent action that can be fully relied upon. In other words, anglers can position on fish-holding structure and cover water more effectively while spooking fewer fish. It’s armed with ultra-sharp Fusion19 trebles and produces a high-pitch rattle to capture a predator’s attention from greater distances.

The bait comes in seven sizes: 3.5 (sinking), 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 and 23 eye-catching colors.


Staff Insight: I’m familiar with this gem of a new stickbait, after working with Dan Spengler, a Senior Product Manager in charge of hardbaits and terminal tackle development at the Berkley Lab in Spirit Lake, Iowa. He helped me write a “Next Gen Bootin’ for Walleyes” article for our October/November In-Fisherman magazine. Spengler, who is himself and exceptional angler, works with professional anglers and his counterparts at the Lab, to create and analyze new lure designs and prototypes. He considers the Hit Stick their best work to date.

Five years in the making, the design team, including walleye pros Gary Parsons and Keith Kavajecz, worked through 24 different versions, experimenting with several body shapes, pull points, and bill designs and angles. The Hit Stick casts like a bullet and the slow rise on the pause offers a completely different presentation option than a suspending stickbait. The weighting system also makes the lure start and stop on a dime, to create realistic darting with any rod tip snap.

On a slow grind the lure has a uniquely light balsa-like action but still rolls distinctively giving off a compelling wobble. Indeed, it’s probably the combination of flicker and flash and the unique vibration pattern that makes the Hit Stick such a hot option. There’s a size for most of our freshwater predators. So far, it’s proven deadly for pike and almost magical for walleyes. Can’t wait to put it into action for smallmouths. Casting or trolling, this looks like one for the ages.—Doug


Cost: $5.99-$7.99

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Pro bass angler Greg Hackney shares insight on when and where he supersizes his jig presentation for bass. Bigger is oft...
Gear

In-Fisherman TV THROWBACK: Giant Northern Pike Fishing

Pro bass angler Greg Hackney shares insight on when and where he supersizes his jig presentation for bass. Bigger is oft...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV: Night Walleyes with Bret Alexander

Pro bass angler Greg Hackney shares insight on when and where he supersizes his jig presentation for bass. Bigger is oft...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV: Tarpon and Redfish Gear, Tips and Techniques with Doug Stange

Pro bass angler Greg Hackney shares insight on when and where he supersizes his jig presentation for bass. Bigger is oft...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV: HUGE Lake Sturgeon on Lake St. Clair

Pro bass angler Greg Hackney shares insight on when and where he supersizes his jig presentation for bass. Bigger is oft...
Learn

In-Fisherman TV Springtime Smallmouth SlamFest

Pro bass angler Greg Hackney shares insight on when and where he supersizes his jig presentation for bass. Bigger is oft...
Learn

Choose the Right Hooks for Your Harness Rigs and CATCH MORE FISH

Pro bass angler Greg Hackney shares insight on when and where he supersizes his jig presentation for bass. Bigger is oft...
Learn

Andy Montgomery's Strike King Skipping Buzzbait

Pro bass angler Greg Hackney shares insight on when and where he supersizes his jig presentation for bass. Bigger is oft...
Learn

Lew's Signature Series Bladed Jig Rod with Andy Montgomery

Pro bass angler Greg Hackney shares insight on when and where he supersizes his jig presentation for bass. Bigger is oft...
Learn

Hide Your Line--Camo Trick for Fishing Line with Bryant Smith

Pro bass angler Greg Hackney shares insight on when and where he supersizes his jig presentation for bass. Bigger is oft...
Learn

Pick the RIGHT Buzzbait Trailers with Andy Montgomery

Pro bass angler Greg Hackney shares insight on when and where he supersizes his jig presentation for bass. Bigger is oft...
Learn

The Strike King KVD Popping Perch is AWESOME with Bryant Smith

Pro bass angler Greg Hackney shares insight on when and where he supersizes his jig presentation for bass. Bigger is oft...
Learn

When to Fish a BIG JIG for Bass with Greg Hackney

In-Fisherman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the In-Fisherman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now