Wesley Littlefield   12.30.25
Fishing the Berkley Riveter for largemouth bass in my pond all through the autumn has been a blast. It’s my go-to topwater lure in breezy situations as a result of it’s squeakier and clankier than my different buzzbaits. It’s obtainable in two variations: skirted (like a standard buzzbait) and normal toad (designed with soft-plastic frogs in thoughts because the skirt). Let’s get began with this Berkley Riveter evaluate.
Specs & Design Options
- Colours: (Skirted) White with white blade, white with gold blade, chartreuse with white blade, black, blue, and purple with black blade, shad sample with white blade, bluegill sample with gold blade. (Toad) White, black, or gold blades
- Weights: (Skirted) ¼ ozand ⅜ oz. (Toad) Finesse and normal.
The Riveter was designed to create a loud, constant squeak that’s tuneable and sheds particles. I can fine-tune it to the precise sound the fish need (or the one which annoys them most) by bending the wire towards the pinnacle for a heavier knock or away from the pinnacle for a cleaner squeak. I just like the ¼ ozweight as a result of it’s simpler to maintain on prime of the water, nevertheless it nonetheless casts far.
Motion & Presentation
The Berkley Riveter is easy to fish, which is one motive why I like it a lot. I can differ my retrieve velocity, and so long as it stays on the floor, I get bites. You don’t need to study any fancy approach or presentation. Forged it out and reel it again on prime of the water. It creates a commotion that drives bass loopy. I additionally recognize that you may rapidly regulate the sound/motion of this buzzbait by bending the wire a bit, however the wire isn’t so flimsy that it’s going to bend by itself.
Ranking:
8 / 10
Casting & Ease of Use
I desire to fish the Riveter on a baitcasting rod and reel, however I’ve used it on a spinning rod and reel. So long as the rod is a moderate-heavy, fast-action rod, you’ll be capable of set the hook on huge bass. It’s straightforward to forged throughout my pond and land precisely the place I would like it, and I’ve no drawback letting my daughter use it as a result of it’s straightforward to fish with. It’s a beginner-friendly lure as a result of it’s so easy to make use of.
Ranking:
9 / 10
Hookup Ratio & Fish Response
Topwater fishing is one of the best, and the Riveter doesn’t disappoint as a result of bass explode on this buzzbait! The Fusion hook ensures the bass gained’t get away so long as you set it properly and preserve the road tight (at the least I haven’t misplaced a fish with it previously few months). I’ve had just a few missed strikes, however bass typically attempt to destroy this lure, making the hookup ratio fairly excessive.
Ranking:
8 / 10
Sturdiness & Longevity
I seen the paint on the pinnacle (weight) of my skirted Riveter rapidly chipped as a result of the blade was knocking in opposition to it. This on no account impacts the Riveters’ efficiency, simply aesthetics. I anticipated this as a result of I needed the loud clanking sound it creates. However apart from that, I count on to fish with this buzzbait for years.
Ranking:
9 / 10
Versatility & Circumstances
As a result of I can regulate the noisiness of this buzzbait, it’s extra versatile than the others that I’ve fished previously. Nonetheless, you continue to want the correct situations to fish it, and more often than not meaning heat shallow water (5 ft or much less) on comparatively calm days. It’s nonetheless a buzzbait, so the Riveter will shine everytime you’d historically use a buzzbait. I don’t take into account buzzbaits tremendous versatile, however this one is a bit more versatile than others that I’ve used.
Ranking:
7 / 10
Worth & Competitors
The Riveter isn’t low-cost, however that’s anticipated from Berkley. They don’t produce low-cost baits and lures. As an alternative, they put money into delivering high-quality lures that catch fish. At $10.99 (skirted) and $9.99 (non-skirted), it’s about middle-of-the-road price-wise, so I’d positively advocate buying a pair if you happen to love fishing buzzbaits as a lot as I do. It’s positively not overpriced, and because it ought to final you many years of fishing (until you’re a hardcore match angler), you’ll get your cash’s price out of it.
Ranking:
8 / 10
Total Ranking: Berkley Riveter Evaluation
Whether or not you’re a seasoned angler or trying to buy your first buzzbait, the Berkley Riveter is price including to your sort out field. Its adjustable sound and a number of colour, model, and weight choices make sure you’ll have the precise buzzbait to drive bass loopy on these dreamy topwater days. This buzzbaits reveals that Berkley pays consideration to the minute particulars, and as everyone knows, delicate modifications could make all of the distinction when concentrating on finicky bass on a troublesome day.
Ranking:
8.2 / 10
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