The Headbanger Shad 9" is the trophy-size version of the original Headbanger: patented erratic, evasive movement combined with a fixed, replaceable paddle tail for a swimming action that triggers even the most lethargic fish. Built for northern pike, muskellunge, and lake trout — it works with a simple straight retrieve, but excels with pauses and twitches.
Why anglers fish the Headbanger Shad 9"
9 inches of patented erratic action — a full-size meal for the biggest fish in the system
Replaceable paddle tail — twists off the corkscrew anchor in seconds when musky teeth destroy it; two pegs keep it locked in position
Three buoyancies — floating, suspending, and sinking cover 0–13 ft
Casts and trolls — the erratic action holds at trolling speeds, making it a serious big-water weapon
When and how to fish it
Throw the Floating version (0–5 ft) over shallow weed flats early and late season. The Suspending version (5–8.5 ft) hangs dead-still on the pause — the trigger moment for following musky. The Sinking version (6.5–13 ft) reaches deeper edges, drop-offs, and suspended fish. Straight retrieve to cover water, then long pauses and twitches when a fish shows.
Specs
Version
Weight
Fishing depth
Floating
2.2 oz
0–5 ft
Suspending
2.6 oz
5–8.5 ft
Sinking
2.9 oz
6.5–13 ft
Replacement tails are available separately — or experiment with your own soft plastics to change the action.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including diisononyl phthalate, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more info go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
