SHIMANO Cardiff Refrain 45XS Bottom Spec #004 Aluminum Kurogin PB

Light yet Heavyweight Performer: The Unique Small but Mighty Lure!

The Refrain 50S embodies high-response performance in a smaller, heavier design, measuring 45mm and weighing 6.2g. This tiny yet heavy lure achieves what 50mm sinking, heavy sinking, or even 60mm class minnows cannot: it swiftly reaches deep ranges in challenging spots and performs light actions right in the core areas where targets lurk. This extra-sinking lure offers unprecedented balance.

Key Features:

• High Responsiveness: Achieves high response performance in a compact, heavy design.
• Deep Range Capability: Reaches deep ranges swiftly and performs actions in the core areas where targets lurk.
• Excellent Casting Ability: Suitable for broad exploration in midstream rivers, making range control in thick, strong currents easy.
• Versatile Use: Supports various techniques, including straight retrieve, twitching, drifting, and reverse retrieve.
• Heavy-Duty Design: Equipped with a thick-shaft eye for large fish, featuring a robust and long 8-hook at the rear. Allows for tight and fearless approaches around structures.

This lure is designed to reach spots and perform actions that other lures can't, making it an exceptional choice for anglers aiming to catch fish in challenging conditions.

Key Feature:

Pierces through to the bottom, dances lightly. A unique, small yet heavy lure.

High-Response Heavyweight:

In the development of the Refrain 45XS, the team set an ambitious goal: to create a small yet heavy design at 45mm in length and 6.2g in weight that maintains high responsiveness. Instead of following the traditional approach of adjusting the weight distribution, eye placement, and lip design to make a minnow swim, they shifted towards balancing buoyancy and gravity. By incorporating high-density tungsten weights and a slightly rounded body shape to ensure ample air chamber space, they achieved the high responsiveness inherited from the 50HS. This isn't just a downsized or simply heavier lure; the Refrain 45XS is a unique extra-sinking lure that, despite its heavyweight, dances lightly in the water.

Reaching the Core with Bottom Specs:

Deep waters with strong currents and complex structures like submerged logs are challenging to navigate, yet they often harbor large fish near the bottom. The Refrain 45XS, with its compact form and heavy extra-sinking design, excels in these tough environments. Unlike typical 50mm sinking or heavy sinking lures, or even larger 60mm+ extra-sinking lures that get pushed by the current, the Refrain 45XS can reach deeper, previously inaccessible ranges. This capability shines in scenarios like waterfall basins, dam pools, deep but small cascades in headwaters, and during snowmelt in thickened currents. When targeting the bottom zone in such conditions, the Refrain 45XS truly stands out, living up to its "Bottom Specs" name.

The Ultimate Minnow for Tricking Smart Trophy Fish:

Cautious, large fish lurking near the bottom, having ignored numerous lures, rarely bite just because the range is correct. Success depends on what you can do once the lure reaches close to the target. The Refrain 45XS excels in this regard with its high-response design that allows anglers to create enticing, buoyant flashes at the desired intensity and timing. This lure ensures you won't miss valuable opportunities. It can perform lively actions in the core areas of spots that seem promising but fail to yield catches. The Refrain 45XS is the ultimate minnow, becoming the angler's ace in challenging situations.

Mastering Strong Currents: Excelling in Midstream Rivers:

When it comes to tackling thick currents, the Refrain 45XS is your reliable ally. It shines not only in complex deep spots but also across midstream river regions. Thanks to its compact form and extra sinking weight, this lure effectively navigates strong currents and reaches deeper layers where big fish reside. The Refrain 45XS ensures that you can conquer various challenging conditions, making it a versatile tool for any angler targeting elusive trophy fish in diverse river environments.

Covering Wide Areas with Superior Castability:

The Refrain 45XS's compact yet heavy design contributes significantly to its exceptional castability. This quality allows it to be more than just a tool for navigating difficult spots; it can also serve as a primary lure in midstream river areas. The development team had this in mind from the outset. Without increasing the size to 6-7mm, the Refrain 45XS achieves impressive casting distance and accuracy, enabling anglers to cover a wide range efficiently. Its 45mm extra-sinking size is ideal for approaching regular-sized yamame and amago without causing undue disturbance, making it perfect for pressured environments. Additionally, it targets not only standard-sized fish but also larger specimens, including those in midstream areas.

Versatile for Both Rapids and Pools, Drift and Reverse Retrieve:

When tackling the robust flows of midstream river areas, a lure must possess the control performance necessary to adjust its range according to changing water depths. The Refrain 45XS's compact yet heavy balance excels in this regard. Its high-response design allows for various actions, including steady retrieve, twitching, drifting, and reverse retrieve, making it suitable for exploring the strong currents of midstream regions. This versatility enables it to search effectively in high-potential areas such as deep runs and pools, where it can trigger the feeding response of reluctant fish.

The Refrain 45XS is a specialized minnow ideal for such medium-sized fields, known for its ease of use. Its robust build and swimming capabilities make it a reliable choice, even with a thick-shank single hook that prevents fish from escaping. The combination of strength and movement makes it an exceptional tool for targeting big fish.

Refrain 45XS: Engineered for Challenging Bottom Ranges and Midstream Rivers:

The Refrain 45XS was developed with the aim of reaching bottom ranges that are typically inaccessible to standard lures and performing efficiently in midstream river conditions. Given these challenging scenarios, the choice of robust components is a natural conclusion. The Refrain 45XS features a thicker 0.8mm wire diameter for its hooks, one grade higher than the original 50HS. The rear hook is equipped with a long, thick-shank #8 hook. This design ensures durability, even if the lure hits rocks or logs during casting, and minimizes water ingress in case of damage.

While the long #8 hook could typically compromise buoyancy, the Refrain 45XS compensates with its ample air chamber, achieved through high-density tungsten weights and a thoughtfully designed body silhouette. This stable body balance ensures that the lure maintains its swimming action, even when using a thick-shank single rear hook.

For optimal flashing effects, the Refrain 45XS comes in aluminum-clad colors, which enhance its visual appeal and effectiveness in attracting fish.

Flash and Function: The Superior Glimmer of Aluminum-Clad Colors:

For trout anglers who prioritize the brilliant flash of a darting minnow, aluminum-clad colors are a staple. The reflective quality of these lures makes them incredibly effective, hence their popularity. In the Refrain 45XS lineup, classic aluminum-clad colors like Yamame and Kurogane are featured. These colors not only reflect light strongly but also emulate the natural shimmer of a small fish, making them versatile in attracting fish across different conditions. The ability to adjust the lure's appeal to match the activity level of the target fish is a key advantage.

The Refrain 45XS’s slightly plump form, designed to ensure an ample air chamber, also improves visibility. For anglers who want to keep a precise visual on the lure's location, options like Chart Back and Pink Back are highly recommended. These colors enhance the lure's visibility, making it easier to track in various water conditions.