First Impressions of Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp
The Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp isn’t your typical lure; it’s a meticulously crafted piece designed to entice the most finicky panfish. This tiny package from Kenders Outdoors promises a realistic presentation, combining a dense tungsten body with an underlying glow and a super sharp hook. The lure is aimed at anglers who are serious about targeting bluegill and crappie, offering a profile that can be fished solo or dressed up with bait or plastics.
My decade-plus experience in the outdoor and tactical world has taught me to appreciate the details, and I was drawn to this lure because of the constant challenge of enticing pressured fish. I needed a lure that could offer a subtle yet effective presentation, something that could stand out in murky waters and trigger strikes when other lures failed.
Upon unboxing, the Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp immediately impressed me with its compact size and realistic shrimp tie. The tungsten body feels substantial for its size, suggesting it will sink quickly and hold its position well, while the red eyes add a distinct visual appeal. Compared to other small ice fishing jigs I’ve used, like the Lindy Tungsten Toad or the Northland Tackle Fire-Ball Jig, the Akua Red Eye Shrimp stands out with its more realistic profile and integrated glow. I chose this lure because of its promising blend of realism, weight, and visibility.
My first impression was one of cautious optimism; it looks great, but will it perform? I am intrigued and excited to test its effectiveness on the water.
Real-World Testing: Putting Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp to the Test
First Use Experience
I tested the Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp on a local lake known for its healthy population of crappie and bluegill, under early ice conditions. The water clarity was slightly stained, and the day was overcast, creating a challenging environment. I fished it both bare and tipped with a waxworm, using a slow jigging motion near submerged brush piles.
The lure performed well, sinking quickly to the desired depth, even in a slight current. The bluegill seemed particularly attracted to the rocking, jigging motion, and I landed several decent-sized fish. I was surprised by how well the lure held its position, even with light wind on the surface.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of using the Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp on various trips, it has proven to be a reliable addition to my tackle box. The shrimp tie remains intact, showing minimal signs of wear and tear, even after numerous encounters with fish and submerged structure. Cleaning is simple: just a quick rinse with fresh water after each use.
Compared to other panfish jigs I’ve used, the Akua Red Eye Shrimp has consistently outperformed them in stained water conditions. Its tungsten body and realistic profile give it a distinct advantage, making it a go-to lure when other options fail. The lure’s glow body is also a huge advantage when fishing in low-light conditions.
Breaking Down the Features of Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp
Specifications
- The Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp features a dense tungsten body, allowing for a quick sink rate despite its small size. Its weight is 1/32 oz, making it ideal for finesse presentations.
- It measures 1.25 inches in length, a perfect profile for targeting panfish. The lure also features an underlying glow body, which enhances visibility in low-light conditions.
- The Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp is equipped with a #8 Sticky Sharp Black Nickel Hook. One of the sharpest hooks I have seen on such a small jig, this size hook is suitable for securing smaller soft plastics and bait.
- The realistic shrimp tie offers an added level of attraction. It mimics the natural movement of forage.
- It is sold individually, meaning you’ll need to purchase multiple to have a good assortment. This is a disadvantage compared to buying in bulk.
These specifications are crucial because they contribute to the lure’s overall effectiveness. The tungsten body allows for precise depth control, while the sharp hook ensures solid hooksets.
Performance & Functionality
The Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp excels at attracting and catching panfish. Its realistic profile and jigging motion are incredibly effective at triggering strikes, even from pressured fish.
The lure’s only real weakness is its small size, which can make it difficult to handle with gloved hands in cold weather. Overall, the Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp meets and often exceeds expectations.
Design & Ergonomics
The build quality of the Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp is exceptional. The materials used are durable and well-crafted, resulting in a lure that can withstand the rigors of fishing. Its small size is inherently less ergonomic for handling, but the trade-off is a more enticing profile for panfish.
There’s virtually no learning curve to using this lure; simply tie it on and start fishing. Its small size is easy to swallow for panfish, leading to more hookups.
Durability & Maintenance
The Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp is built to last. The tungsten body is highly resistant to damage, and the shrimp tie is surprisingly durable. Maintenance is minimal; just rinse it off after each use and store it properly.
The black nickel hook, if cared for, will stay sharp for dozens of fishing trips. The durability exceeds other lures in the same category.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp doesn’t come with any additional accessories, as it’s designed to be used either bare or tipped with bait. You can easily customize it by adding a small plastic trailer, waxworm, or mealworm to the hook. It is compatible with most commercially available ice fishing accessories.
Pros and Cons of Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp
Pros
- Dense Tungsten Body: Sinks quickly and maintains depth effectively.
- Realistic Shrimp Tie: Mimics natural forage, attracting more fish.
- Sticky Sharp Black Nickel Hook: Ensures solid hooksets.
- Glow Body: Enhances visibility in low-light conditions.
- Effective Jigging Motion: Triggers strikes from pressured fish.
Cons
- Small size can be difficult to handle with gloved hands.
- Sold individually, requiring multiple purchases for an assortment.
Who Should Buy Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp?
The Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp is perfect for ice anglers targeting panfish like bluegill and crappie, especially in stained or low-light conditions. It is also a great choice for anyone who wants a super sharp hook on a small jig. Anglers who appreciate realistic presentations and value quality construction will also find this lure appealing.
Those who should skip this product are anglers who primarily target larger species or those who prefer using larger, more easily handled lures. Also, anglers who want to purchase lures in bulk should skip this product.
A must-have accessory is a small container to keep the Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp organized and prevent damage to the shrimp tie. Also, various colored wax worms or plastic trailers are helpful.
Conclusion on Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp
The Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp is a highly effective lure for targeting panfish, offering a winning combination of realism, weight, and visibility. While the individual sale and small size present minor inconveniences, the lure’s performance far outweighs these drawbacks.
At $2.433.79, the price is justified by the quality of materials and the lure’s proven effectiveness. I would personally recommend the Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp to any angler looking to up their panfishing game.
Add the Kenders Outdoors Akua Red Eye Shrimp to your tackle box today and experience the difference a well-designed and meticulously crafted lure can make!