Gear Review: Berkley PowerBait Gilly

WHAT IS IT?

Berkley PowerBait Gilly

WHAT SETS IT APART?

A realistic soft plastic swimbait that features PowerBait flavor to make bass hold on longer for better hooksets, while providing scent-enhancing appeal. Available in six high-definition HD color patterns and six standard color patterns, and 90-, 110- and 130-mm sizes. Available September 2021.  

HOW DO I USE IT?

Berkley designed the Gilly so the hollow head section is soft enough to collapse during strikes, while keeping the bait swimming upright regardless of how it’s rigged. Tabs built into the tail section add lifelike motion in the water. Rig it weightless, Texas rigged, on a weighted swimbait hook or even drop-shot style. 

HOW MUCH? 

$6.49 for Standard colors

$7.49 for HD Tru Colors 

MORE INFORMATION:

Berkleyfishing.com

ANGLER’S INSIGHT:

Instead of the more traditional segmented body style, the Gilly uses lifelike scale-shaped ribs in the tail section to provide what are undeniably realistic bait movements. At its ICAST debut in July, I gave it a try in a test tank by modifying retrieve and action to emulate normal swimming and dead falling. You can rig it weightless, of course, but I wanted to see how it looked fished on a jighead, weighted swimbait hook, Texas rig and even a drop shot. Crazy as it may sound, the Gilly’s realistic action showed out in all rigs.