Introducing the Prawn XT: Our Toughest Shrimp Lure Yet

Soft plastic shrimp lures catch an incredible number of fish.

Unfortunately, fish also know how to tear them up.

Pinfish swipe the tail.

Snapper bite off pieces.

Grouper drag them through reefs.

Sometimes, one good bite is all it takes to ruin a lure.

That is exactly why I am so excited to introduce the new Prawn XT OG (4.3″) and Prawn XT Jr. (3.5″).

GET THE PRAWN XT OG (4.3″)

GET THE PRAWN XT JR. (3.5″)

Rigging Options For 4.3″ OG Size:

• 4/0 Hoss Weedless Football Jighead  (Recommended)
• 4/0 Roundeye Jighead
• 4/0 Football Jighead

Rigging Options For 3.5: Jr. Size:

• 3/0 Hoss Weedless Football Jighead (Recommended)
• 2/0 Roundeye Jighead
• 2/0 Football Jighead

Weight Selections For Depth Coverage:

• 3/16th oz: 3 to 7 ft
• 1/4 oz: 5 to 10 ft
• 1/2 oz: 10 to 25 ft
• 3/4 oz: 20 to 50 ft
• 1 oz: 50 to 90 ft
• 2 oz: 80 to 150 ft

Note: The depth ranges listed above assume low to moderate current flow… if the current is moving fast, you’ll need to go up a weight level or two to compensate for the added drag on the line.

What Makes the Prawn XT Different?

The Prawn XT is made from the toughest soft plastic material we have ever used in a shrimp lure.

However, durability alone would not mean much if the lure did not move naturally in the water.

Fortunately, this new material is still flexible enough to give the Prawn XT the lifelike action that made the original Prawn USA so effective. It glides naturally as it falls, maintains a realistic shrimp profile, and can be retrieved in several different ways.

The streamlined body also helps it cast well. There are no unnecessary appendages catching the wind or interfering with its movement through the water.

Most importantly, you can fish it around the structure where shrimp, and the predators that eat them, naturally live.

The Prawn XT can be rigged weedless for fishing around rocks, oysters, grass, docks, bridge pilings, and reefs. It can also be rigged on a traditional jighead when fishing open water.

That combination of natural action, versatility, and extreme durability allows the Prawn XT to fish almost like a hard plug. Instead of stopping to replace a damaged soft plastic every few fish, you can keep casting while the bite is hot.

Two Sizes: Prawn XT OG and Prawn XT Jr.

The Prawn XT is currently available in two proven sizes:

• Prawn XT OG: Three lures per pack
• Prawn XT Jr: Four lures per pack

Both match the established Prawn sizes that anglers have already been using successfully for years.

The OG is the larger option. It is ideal when fish are feeding on full size shrimp, when you want a larger profile, or when you are targeting bigger fish.

The Jr. gives fish a smaller and more compact target. It is a great choice when the available shrimp and bait are smaller, the fish are being selective, or you simply want to downsize your presentation.

We also plan to introduce an even smaller Prawn XT later this year.

The Best Way to Rig the Prawn XT

Our preferred setup is a weedless football jighead.

The Prawn XT OG pairs well with a 4/0 hook, while the Prawn XT Jr. pairs well with a 3/0 hook.

Here is how to rig it correctly.

Step 1: Insert the Hook Through the Center

Start by inserting the hook point directly into the center of the lure’s head.

Run it approximately half an inch into the body before bringing the point out through the middle.

Keeping the hook centered helps the finished lure sit straight and move naturally in the water.

Step 2: Push the Lure Up to the Weight

Thread the Prawn XT down the hook.

As you apply pressure, the lure will naturally turn around the bend of the hook. Continue pushing until the head of the lure sits firmly against the weight.

We prefer to pin the lure’s head directly against the jighead. This creates a clean profile, helps the lure skip, and gives it a more natural appearance in the water.

Step 3: Mark the Hook’s Natural Entry Point

Hold the lure straight alongside the hook to see where the hook point naturally meets the body.

Pinch that location with your thumb. This marks the spot where the hook should pass through the lure.

Step 4: Rotate and Insert the Hook

Turn the lure approximately 90 degrees and guide the hook point through the marked location.

When rigged correctly, the lure should sit straight without being stretched, compressed, or bent to one side.

This gives you a weedless shrimp presentation that can be bounced around rocks, oysters, grass, pilings, and other structure with a much lower risk of snagging.

One Important Hookset Tip

The Prawn XT material is tougher and slightly stickier than a traditional soft plastic.

That helps the lure remain securely attached to the hook and keeps the presentation weedless. However, it also means the hook may require a little more force to break free from the lure during a strike.

There are two easy ways to compensate:

1. Put a little more authority into your hookset.
2. Gently loosen the material around the hook point before fishing.

You do not need to expose the hook completely. Simply make sure the lure can slide down the hook quickly when a fish strikes.

That small adjustment will help improve your hookups while maintaining the weedless benefits of the rig.

Can You Use the Prawn XT on a Traditional Jighead?

Yes.

The Prawn XT can be rigged on football, round eye, and other traditional jigheads. The tougher material just requires more effort to push over a standard bait keeper.

If the keeper is especially large, you can carefully flatten it with pliers before rigging the lure. This makes it easier to slide the material into place.

Start the hook directly through the center of the Prawn XT. As you feed the lure onto the hook, gradually angle the point toward the top of the lure.

Before bringing the hook point out, check that you have threaded enough material onto the hook. The front of the lure should begin angling back toward the jighead.

Push the hook point through at that location. Then, work the lure over the keeper and up to the head.

It takes more effort than rigging a traditional soft plastic, but once the Prawn XT is in place, it holds extremely well.

We also have new jigheads in development with clean hook shanks and no traditional bait keepers. These will make rigging the Prawn XT on an exposed hook setup much easier.

When Should You Fish It Weedless?

The weedless football jighead is our top recommendation when fishing around:

• Rocks
• Oyster bars
• Grass
• Dock pilings
• Bridge structure
• Nearshore reefs
• Offshore structure

These are the areas where many of the best fish hold. They are also the places where an exposed hook is most likely to snag.

Heavier weedless football jigheads can be extremely effective for nearshore and offshore fishing. This setup has already produced grouper, mangrove snapper, cobia, snook, and big redfish.

When fishing open flats, beaches, or other relatively snag free areas, a traditional exposed hook jighead can give you an advantage.

The key is matching the rigging style to the structure you are fishing.

How to Retrieve the Prawn XT

You do not need a complicated retrieve to catch fish with this lure.

In most situations, the best approach is to bounce the Prawn XT along the bottom and allow it to glide back down after each movement.

That falling glide is often when the strike happens.

A steady retrieve can also work, especially when fish are actively feeding or holding higher in the water column.

Experiment with your speed and cadence throughout the trip. Let the fish show you whether they want a slow bottom presentation, a more aggressive bounce, or a steady retrieve.

A Shrimp Lure Built to Keep Fishing

The Prawn has become one of our most trusted lures for producing both numbers and quality fish.

Now, the Prawn XT takes that proven profile and adds a level of durability that can keep you fishing much longer without replacing torn or damaged lures.

The Prawn XT costs slightly more per pack than a traditional soft plastic. However, when a single lure can survive dozens of fish, aggressive bait stealers, and repeated trips around heavy structure, the long-term value becomes easy to see.

The Prawn XT OG and Jr. are both available now.

• GET THE PRAWN XT OG
• GET THE PRAWN XT JR

Give them a try and put them through your own durability test.

As always, if you do not think they are awesome, you can get your money back.

Have any questions about the new Prawn XT, choosing the right size, or rigging it correctly?

Let me know in the comments below!