Bait Review! Berkley Powerbait Gilly Swimbait
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- Опубліковано 11 лют 2025
- In this bait review we take a look at the pros and cons of the Berkley Powerbait Gilly Swimbait.
LINKS TO BAITS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO:
1) Berkley Powerbait Gilly Swimbait - www.tackleware...
2) Berkley Fusion 19 Weedless Weighted Wacky Hook - www.tackleware...
3) Berkley Fusion 19 Drop Shot Hook - www.tackleware...
4) Decoy Worm Holder Spring - www.tackleware...
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I was born and raised in Chicago, but after working 12 years in the financial Industry regulating the futures and options markets at the CME/CBOT I decided to pursue my passion fishing professional tournaments and left my full time corporate job. At that point, I moved to Junction City, WI with my wife Sara and two boys Hank and Duke. I've been fishing professionally since 2011 and full-time since 2015. I've qualified for seven MLF Championships and won over a half million in tournament winnings at the professional level.
Despite being sponsored by Berkley, a nice honest review. Respect!
thank you!
This guy has a way of articulating information that sounds so professional. Maybe an outdoor tv channel could use his help with commentary. I really appreciate all the reviews on different baits. Just started fishing again after a long break and it cuts down on a lot of decision making when I want to try new lures. Thanks and keep it coming.
Wow, thanks! Ill keep them coming if you keep watching them!
I was tweaking these to run weedless two days ago. A 4/0 berkley fusion screw lock hook through the side and a nail weight in the belly got it to run straight on a retrieve and was weedless. They look great
i like how that sounds
If your having a problem tearing up the nose try a CPS spring that’s what I use when I nose hook a fluke it lasts much longer learned it from tactical bassin that’s they way they rig the nose hook flukes. Great as always! Gotta get some of them.
yep i mention a similar tactic with the dropshot rigging
7:02
I happened to be blessed enough to win Ike's TW gear giveaway here a while back and won 4 pack of the Gilly all are 130 mm size. Thank you for the advice as to how to rig these giant baits.
you bet!
The action of the Gilly on the drop shot footage you shown looked so real as a gill about to die, looks like a killer bait!
it also looked like a kill swimming around a bluegill bed. its extremely lifelike!
@@MattStefanFishing nice! Definitely gotta pick myself some up to try!
Matt, been waiting to get your take on best way to rig these guys. All the ways look great. I really love the way that fusion weighted wacky hook works perfect for rigging in the meat of the bait. 👍
Right on!
Those rigging options were so unique I’ll be trying them all out for sure
go for it!
I have yet to try this bait. But I am looking to try more med/larger swimbait presentations in 2023+. I like your weighted wacky rig hook. I see Ike did a side 2#/3#/4# EWG with O ring side weedless hook trick. I will try both of your hook techniques. Thanks for the video Matt!
Good luck!
Thank you for putting this video together. I got some of these last weekend after my mega bass sleeper gill finally lost the paddle tail. I tried Texas rigging them and I couldn’t get them to swim upright properly. I didn’t think about using some of my nail weights. This weekend I’ll try them again with a swim jig head. I had also though of using them as a chatter bait trailer.
I do like that they are cheaper per bait then the mega bass sleeper gill. I am sure once I get the rigging figured out they will preform as good or better then the mega bass sleeper gill.
thanks for sharring!
I've been using the 2 Japanese versions of this bait for several years now. I like to nose hook but you need the extra support. One bait from japan comes with the a spring molded in the nose. The other comes with a unique harness. Very effective when the bass are keying in on bluegills. Thanks.
Thanks for the info!
Great video. One thing to keep in mind. If your lake has our toothy friends, have a very light 9in leader. I have lost a few of these to some pike this year.
Great point!
Another good, straight forward, well-presented and useful video - thanks!
thanks!
What a great little bait the galley is. I was going to mention using the screw keeper if you didn't, which I'm sure you were going to. I love the fusion 19 wacky hook idea as I have some of those I'm definitely going to give that a shot
it fits really well
I have some jointed hard swim baits that look super realistic and I thought were hard to tell from the real thing. But I've seen a few guys use those Gillys and those things are creepy how much you can get them to mimic a real bluegill. I don't have any yet, but I plan to buy some. For now, though, the topwater quest continues! Just got a pack of new 3/8 oz KVD Buzz Toads that I'm gonna try. I'm close! I can feel it!
they are super realistic!
I got the 130s. They are monstrous. Have tried a few different ways of rigging them. I like your ideas. Will have to try that straw/trebel idea.
give it a try!
The imakatsu Java gill was the OG version of this bait. They have good colors too and they have that owner cps spring already rigged into the bait
interesting
Berkley just being Berkley… no innovation just rip JDM baits and win at ICAST with no acknowledgement to the people they stole the ides from
Super fine looking bait , that color too , amazing
I love it
they look good, thats a way to hook it thanks MATT i will try them, you need a hook like hat to fish timber.
You bet
Another great video that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Glad you enjoyed it
I got a pack for Christmas and was excited to use them… but am no longer a fan after experiencing the rigging problems that you mentioned. Through-hooking them with a treble hook is the best solve, but at that point why not just use a bluegill style jointed swim bait… that’s what you have at that point. I won’t be buying anymore of these. If the situation arises where I need something like this I will just throw a traditional jointed bluegill swim bait.
Great video. I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts. Thanks.
stick with what you have confidence in!
Hey Matt, I just found your channel. I liked and subscribed to your account . Thanks for sharing your bio, good on you for following your passion . My wife, three boys and I live in California . I am in the pool industry, but my hope is that one day I too can fish tournament’s. Thanks for a very informative video, I really enjoyed it and look forward to trying these techniques out soon hopefully. Tight lines and well wishes in your career!
Awesome, thank you!
Skeptical, me to! I've run the screw lock like you did but to make it weedless I used a retainer band from the eye to the barb. It would be nice if they would have installed the straw when it was made.
yep
I just set one up with the straw and line through with treble hook. Can’t wait to try it out tomorrow. I tried the hook on the side and got a fish to strike but it missed it. By the time I got a small enough hook so it wouldn’t hinder the action the gap wasn’t wide enough to catch the fish. So I’m hoping the line through works.
good luck!
I've had all 3 colors for 2 months, and I've yet to try them, thanks for your insight 👍
give them a try!
@@MattStefanFishing I'm going to coon tail moss is thick, won Big Fish pot yesterday, white spro frog # 60, Jr size, alot of bream beds, so I think its going to be a game changer
When I first seen this bait I was very concerned about how to rig it but your methods seem to have solved that for me, although I am having a hard time finding them but excited to give them a try.
they have a few left at TW www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Powerbait_Gilly_Swimbait/descpage-BPGI.html?from=MSFG
Great explanation & rigging these. Thanks for sharing 🎣 👍
Glad you like them!
Lots of good suggestions, thanks. I have some size 90 but still trying to decide how I want to rig them.
Glad to help
Another great video Matt. Ill have to give them a try.
Go for it!
I have been looking at those and was concerned about the durability, but they don't seem to bad. I may have to support the channel again soon 🤣
haha! Please do!
Im struggling with getting it to swim straight. Thanks for this video. I’ve tried it on a ringed 2/0 ewg both angles. I can’t seem to get it swim completely vertical. I’ll have to try the weighted wacky hook and drop shot after that.
give it a try!
Good tips Matt. Think I might give that line through rig a try with the 110 size. 🐟🐟🐟
You should!
Well, I know how I’m going to rig my gillies with. Thank you!
Awesome!
Great review sir! Thank you!!! I'll try some
give them a try!
Those look like much better ways to rig it than what they suggest. EWGs and side hooking just tear the thing up. I was about to give up on the Gilly. Thanks!
yeah rigging is the biggest issue i have found with them but love the ways I mention for this bait
Great review and just from watching your demo in the water I bet these baits would be a great Pike bait. Yea I am a fan of going after the toothy critters too. :)
Pike will eat this up!
I think pike will strike at it but it may be difficult to get a good hookup ratio
@@jamesh7469 With Pike, I like to use a metal leader and I think that would mess up the action on this bait. Am I correct?
I already used it on the mini Carolina rig with a Ewg 3/0 ( rig on the side ) , an 2/0 would be better , with that technic i prefer the Kaitech ! Thank you for all the suggestions!
Right on
Wil need to try the line thru, capri sun straws should be perfect
yep
Thanks Matt. 🍺I’ve had luck with the DoLive SS Gill, Depps Bullflat, and the Geecrack Spiron, with that said I see no reason why these wouldn’t work well either. I agree they look the most realistic out of the 3 I mentioned.🍺
its super realistic looking
Great job thanks thanks for your help and sharing of knowledge on fishing techniques have a great day and better Thanksgiving
Thanks, you too!
I would love to cast those around where the fresh and saltwater mix in the Everglades area. I bet a lot of different species would hit those. And I wonder how they'd do in Lake Norman. I recently got a Sleeper Gill but only tried it for a little while and no luck. It looks good in the water. Maybe I'll try the Berkeley version too.
give it a try!
Looks awesome. Can't wait to try them
Have fun!
Think they would work on a stand up jig head? To look like it is feeding on the bottom or a wobble head football
Nice spring trick, thanks 👍🏻
thanks!
Love that gilly great bait great video Matt
thanks!
I’ve only caught a bad mood with the gilly… do you think any core tackle hooks would work with it? Maybe the tush… patiently awaiting my full line of core tackle products!
Hover rig will work
Thanks for the video, I have a couple of packs and am embarrassed to say I haven't even opened them yet.
give them a try!
was a little tough to figure out riggin this- like that screw eye deal- i had decent sucess also makin' a tokyo- type rig for it outta 3/0 ewg bubba spinshot hook- put a split ring& a bass pro weight on bottom of swivel- nose hooked the gilly
Thanks for sharing
I tried the Gilly when bass were feeding on bluegills, and I've seen how bass react to it. Nice swimming action, but I'm not a fan. I'm convinced that there are better baits to use when bass are specifically stalking bluegills.
stick with what you have confidence in!
Great review, Matt
thanks!
Good looking stuff. Thanks for the vid
You bet
Add a bb or split shot in the hollow top cavity if you want to make it sink for deeper with the straw as a line through
Also add a foam ear plug in same cavity to make it wake as topwater
thanks for sharing!
Very cool little bait.
it really is!
Good advice. I use it w/ a standard Large EWG hook and it does not swim straight.
bummer
great video i like to rig mine I use a 2/0 hook texas rig and put a 1/32 nail weight under the chin
i like the sounds of that
When you had it on the line thru it looked like it floated. Is it neutrally buoyant? Sink slowly?
sink slow. i had no weight in it. you can insert a nail weight or rig with a bullet weight in front to get it deeper.
Review that new powerbait jig next!
i havent gotten any yet. but id like to try them!
I tried it today with the Berkley weedless wacky. It wouldn't stay up on the hook. It makes sense bc there's no bait keeper. Maybe super glue. 🤷♂️
dab of super glue will help.
Can you talk more about hook better ratios??? Because most the times they are hitting and missing the hook setup.
good idea!
@Matt Stefan Fishing appreciate it Matt! I'm constantly having them strike and miss the hook. I've done my best to learn from videos. Also placing a small spring in the head then running the hook through it like a drop shot helps with keeping the bait when swimming it as well.
Ok, just ordered a trolling motor from TW using your link. Hope it worked!
OH boy! I hope so!
Can’t wait to give these a try on my local private pond with nothin but big uns
good luck!
have you tried this on the glide rig u did on with the beaver style creature bait? looks like its prefect for that
nope
Really that's a great way to rig em.
thanks!
They have been super hard to find. There are some Japanese versions i got my hands on. I hate fishing them Texas rigged, i feel like the hook doesn't come through enough for good hook up ratio. I even bought owner extra wide gaps just for the gillys but still don't think it runs that good, But i really like your weighted wacky idea. Damn, i need to get on my kayak asap.
they have some at tackle warehouse right now i noticed
@@MattStefanFishing ya i already got a couple packs, i also got the big two pack months ago in green pumpkin, but had to wait for hd colors. Hard to fish them when you know they are scarce lol.
Do you think the FG knot and now the sc knot really need to have 20 wraps .
i dont use either. i tie the good ol uni to uni knot
The line through also works for topwater just add a piece of pool noodle in the top portion and glue it together
nice!
This was a great vid thanks I happen to have some coming in the mail in a day or two so seeing how you rig them really helps. Also, is there a reason why when drop shotting with this bait you decided to screw the spring in vertical instead of horizontal?
i think it holds better personally but in either case it will help prolong the life of the baits
What size treble do you use with the line through? Thanks
size 4 but depends on the bait size
Super nice rig too , thanks bro , I like 👍🏻
Glad you like it
I just picked up a 4 pack and I found that I’m able to shove a foam garlic scented power egg in the head hopefully for better upright float can’t wait to try em out
awesome!
Hey @MattStefan- i literally got "line thru Gilly" on my show ideas dry erase board.i got a pack of 90s n 110s(?),coffee stir stix n trebles ready2go;been bizzy catchin tubby smallies n largemouth crankin..be easy,buddy
you can still do it! it works great that way!
@@MattStefanFishing cool man i thought "Line Thru " 1st time i saw the Gilly..thanks for testing it n feedback.youre a good dude.very humble for an angler of your caliber
Great video & tips!! Stay Safe & God Bless!!
Thanks! You too!
What size wacky hook did you use? Specifically the weight or do you very it?
i was using the 1/8 oz size. I had several people reach out to me with pictures of bass they caught today with the fusion 19 weighted wacky hook on the berkley gilly after I posted that video. give it a try!
@@MattStefanFishing I use 1/16th Berkeley for wacky and work great. I'll get them. Thanks for responding
3:55 this is just a general comment on paint and wear. IMO, what makes a fish look sick (aside from action/ how it swims) is usually not blood like is often used in most lures, but patchy splotches of white pale fleshy color . If a fish were to be injured, it might get an infection which is often fungal. This is going to appear white kinda like the way your lure looks when paint is stripped off it. Do I have any evidence this is how fish perceive prey in this manner, not really, but I think my logic is pretty sound.
i cant argue with you on that. Lots of people prefer a scuffed up bait...
Coffee stir straws work good also, b/c of small diameter.
thanks for sharing!
Smart stuff!
thanks!
Good tips on rigging. Its a good bait but still think the Issei gill bait they copied is better.
ill check that out
That's a very good video. Next time, if you would face the light source instead of having it more behind you, we would be able to see what you're doing a little bit better. Also, one thing that would help your presentation would be to show your close-ups for longer and in better detail with a plain background, maybe even after you're done doing the video part. That would make it a great how-to video. I'm very interested in the different ways to rig it, but it doesn't show up well on the video. Thank you so much for your time. It looks like a very good Bait. What did you catch on it mostly?? I'm guessing maybe Bass? God bless you, Cookie In northern Minnesota
thanks for the suggestions
@@MattStefanFishing Again, what did you catch on these lures?
Thank you.
You're welcome!
Cool good video
thanks!
Line through hands down
it does work great!
New sub! Liked 🙏✌️
Awesome thank you!
The user instructions are lacking. What hook size are you supposed to use for a starter.
well it depends on the size of the gilly. they go from like 3 inches to 5 inches so any hook from 3/0 to 5/0 should work.
Why not side hook it like most?
you can
Thank You I was doing it wrong
good luck!
dude I bought these from the same place u did I think lmao, only place around🤣
haha!
Really nothing ground breaking. Great review! 👍🏻
Thanks!
Put a tube jig head in the slit on the back
ill try it!
The paint coming off isn’t a terrible thing at all. It makes the bait look sickly, which is an easy meal to a predator.
agreed
Have to figure a dif rig to fish it factory it don't run worth shat
runs great for me
I had a bluegill the size of your Gilly eat my super spook this morning. I said to him what were you thinking. 😁
im glad you gave him a good talking too
try screwing a hitchhiker in the nose and tying a drop shot hook on it with braid....I've veen doing that lately and the soft plastics last forever and i get better hookups....I hardly ever texas rig unless heavy cover...
will do thanks
Put the small gilly as a trailer on a chatterbait...👍 fished like a swimbait, not for me...tears too easily
interesting!
I got a pack, caught 4 fish lost 4 baits. I drop shot them. Priced way too high.
thats why i showed how i rig them on a dropshot to prolong the lift of them.
Put it on a bladed jig head.
good idea
I love berkley products but this looks gimmicki. I doubt any pro would use this in a tournament. Or give it a serious attention when money is on the line.
completely diasgree. i will be using this in a couple situations during tournaments but stick with what works for you.
@@MattStefanFishing 👈👀 ok matt i will be watching and routing for you of course!!!
If u aint fishin...I aint watchin.
thanks for watching
Berkley is copying chasebaits flaccid shad.
the flaccid shad has a fin that goes around the entire bait and no tail? there is a body resemblance but i would not say its a copy by any means IMO
I'm talking about the flex pattern.
Garbage just by looks alone. The lure has terrible design for rigging. You don't even need to see it to know. The tsil section also doesn't swim well (no paddles or sections). You don't need this much bs in fishing but eh, that's my honest opinion. I don't see where this lure has a distinct advantage. In fact, just disadvantages. This was a letdown to win 2020 ICast. Not to mention they copied this lure.
Thanks for sharing
DooDoo hahaha
thanks for watching
@@MattStefanFishing thanks for the laugh haha. And all the great fishing tips !!
These stupid things kill pre spawn and fall
awesome! Good to hear it!