Photos: Westin · supplied retailer imagery
Predator tackle · Roach imitations · Our take
Westin Ricky the Roach
Shadtail and R2F versions
From the flexible Shadtail to the wire-through R2F, Ricky the Roach gives pike and perch anglers a convincing baitfish profile in several cracking sizes.
- Shadtail sizes run from 7cm to 18cm, with listed weights from 6g to 85g.
- R2F sizes run from 7cm to 18cm, with listed weights from 9g to 113g.
- The Shadtail has an easy-action paddle tail, realistic eyes, belly flash and optimised flexibility.
- The sinking R2F uses full wire-through construction, a rear single hook and a belly treble.
Make sure it’s the right one. Ricky the Roach is available as a soft Shadtail lure and a sinking R2F hard lure. Check the exact version, size and supplied hook setup before buying.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A versatile roach pattern with a good spread of sizes and two genuinely different lure styles.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality9/10
- Performance8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.9/10
- Ease of Use8.6/10
- Value for Money8.6/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Perch anglers. The 7cm and 10cm options give you a sensible roach-sized profile for casting around weed edges, snags and margins.
- Pike anglers wanting a roach imitation. The larger Shadtail and R2F sizes offer a more substantial baitfish meal, with the R2F adding a sinking hard-lure option.
Maybe skip if
- Anglers after tiny, finesse-style lures. Even the smallest Ricky the Roach is a proper baitfish imitation rather than an ultra-fine micro lure.
- Anyone without suitable heavy predator tackle. The biggest versions, especially the 18cm R2F, carry serious lure weight and need gear matched to the job.
The lowdown
Introducing the Westin Ricky the Roach
From the flexible Shadtail to the wire-through R2F, Ricky the Roach gives pike and perch anglers a convincing baitfish profile in several cracking sizes.
- Shadtail sizes run from 7cm to 18cm, with listed weights from 6g to 85g.
- R2F sizes run from 7cm to 18cm, with listed weights from 9g to 113g.
- The Shadtail has an easy-action paddle tail, realistic eyes, belly flash and optimised flexibility.
- The sinking R2F uses full wire-through construction, a rear single hook and a belly treble.
Quick verdict
A versatile roach imitation with plenty of range
Ricky the Roach covers a lot of predator fishing ground. The Shadtail is the easy-going option for jigging, casting and working different depths, while the sinking R2F brings a more defined hard-lure profile and a serious wire-through build.
The size range is cracking, from a small 7cm bait for perch and lighter work through to the 18cm offerings when you’re targeting a proper pike meal. Pick the version around your venue, depth and target fish, and it looks a bob-on baitfish pattern rather than a generic lump of plastic.
A versatile roach pattern with a good spread of sizes and two genuinely different lure styles.
Desk-research score from specs, price and fishing fit · How we score
- Product Quality
- 9/10
- Performance
- 8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.9/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.6/10
- Value for Money
- 8.6/10
Detailed finishes, realistic eyes and solid construction choices give both versions a purposeful predator-lure feel.
The Shadtail’s paddle action and the R2F’s sinking design cover a useful range of retrieves and depths.
A slim, roach-like profile with belly flash is a sensible match for common pike and perch prey.
The Shadtail is straightforward to work, although heavier R2F sizes need appropriately matched tackle.
The range offers plenty of choice, and the two-per-pack 7cm Shadtail is handy, though the right value depends on the exact version and size.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Westin
Westin Ricky the Roach (this one)
Top scorer
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the Westin Ricky the Roach
There’s a reason roach patterns keep turning up in predator tackle. They look like dinner. Simple as that. Roach are familiar prey in loads of UK rivers, canals, pits and reservoirs, so a decent roach imitation can be a cracking pattern when pike or perch are looking for a proper mouthful.
Westin Ricky the Roach gives you two routes into that idea. The Shadtail is the soft option, built around a slim body and an easy-action paddle tail. The R2F is the harder, sinking version, with a different feel on the retrieve and a more involved hook setup. Same basic prey idea, different tools for the job.
The Shadtail range runs from 7cm through to 18cm. That’s handy, because you can keep things neat when perch are picking off smaller fry or step up when pike are after a bigger meal. The listed weights run from 6g to 85g, so don’t treat every size as an identical lure on the same outfit.
At the smaller end, the 7cm Shadtail is a sensible choice for perch work and more compact venues. It’s supplied two per blister pack, which is dead handy with soft lures. Pike teeth can be a bit rude, mind, so having a spare ready to go saves a faff when a fish has had a proper chew.
The body shape is slim rather than chunky, with prominent belly flash to help give the lure a little glint as it moves. Add in the realistic eyes and detailed hand-painted finishes, and the overall look is clearly trying to imitate a small silver fish, not just wave a bright colour around and hope for the best.
The paddle tail is where the Shadtail earns its keep. You don’t need to bully it with an aggressive retrieve. A steady turn of the handle, a lift and drop, or a slow roll along a weed edge can all make sense. Let the tail do the bosh while you concentrate on keeping the lure in the fishy water.
The flexibility is useful when you’re fishing different depths and cover. You can cast, count it down, then work it back at a pace that suits the day. Around margins, drop-offs and the edges of weedbeds, that easy-action movement gives you a straightforward way to search without making the whole session a technical faff.
The R2F takes a different route. It’s a sinking hard lure, with weights from 9g at 7cm through to 113g at 18cm. The 14cm model weighs 57g and is supplied as one piece. Those heavier versions are proper predator tackle territory, so match your rod, reel and line rather than just clipping one on because the colour looks bob on.
Its full wire-through-body construction is a big part of the appeal. The R2F also uses an ultra-sharp carbon-steel hook setup, with a single rear hook and a belly treble. That gives the lure a purposeful hard-bait layout, while the sinking design lets you work different parts of the water column and pause it over a likely spot.
So, who should look at Ricky the Roach? If you like having one prey pattern in several sizes and styles, it makes plenty of sense. Choose the Shadtail for flexibility and a simple paddle-tail presentation. Choose the R2F when you want a sinking hard lure with fixed wire-through construction. Either way, it’s a proper roach-shaped option for the predator box, with enough range to cover perch days, pike sessions and those bite-time moments when a realistic baitfish profile is the ticket.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Shadtail sizes
- 7cm, 10cm, 14cm and 18cm
- Shadtail weights
- 6g, 14g, 42g and 85g
- R2F weights
- 9g at 7cm, 28g at 10cm, 57g at 14cm and 113g at 18cm
- R2F construction
- Sinking lure with full wire-through-body construction
- R2F hooks
- Single rear hook and belly treble hook, with ultra-sharp carbon-steel hooks
- Pack detail
- The standard 7cm Shadtail is supplied two per blister pack
Specs checked with Westin, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Why the roach profile matters
Roach are everyday prey in loads of UK waters, so a slim body, belly flash and paddle-tail kick make sense when predators are feeding on small silver fish.
The key choice is movement and presentation. Go Shadtail when you want flexibility and an easy-action tail. Go R2F when you want a sinking hard lure with fixed hook hardware and a full wire-through body.
Closer look
What you’re buying
Ricky the Roach comes as either a flexible Shadtail or a sinking R2F hard lure. The Shadtail has a slim body, prominent belly flash, realistic eyes and an easy-action paddle tail. It’s the more adaptable choice when you want to cast, count down and vary the retrieve.
The R2F is the more fixed-format option. It sinks and uses full wire-through-body construction, a single rear hook and a belly treble made from ultra-sharp carbon steel. The 14cm version weighs 57g and arrives as one piece, while the complete R2F range runs from 7cm to 18cm.
Worth knowing. The size names don’t tell the whole story. Shadtail weights range from 6g to 85g, while R2F weights run from 9g to 113g. Check your tackle before choosing the bigger versions.
Who it suits
Pick the version around your swim
Perch anglers will find the 7cm and 10cm sizes the natural starting point, especially around canals, margins and weed edges where a smaller roach profile looks right. Keep the retrieve controlled and use pauses to let the lure hang in the area you reckon a perch is hiding.
For pike, the 14cm and 18cm options offer a more substantial target. The Shadtail gives you a soft, flexible presentation, while the R2F supplies a sinking hard-lure approach. Use a proper predator trace and make sure your rod and line are suited to the lure weight.
Worth knowing. Match the lure to what’s actually happening. If small prey is flicking in the margins, don’t automatically reach for the biggest model. When the pike are following a fuller baitfish profile, step up with confidence.
FAQs in full
Quick answers before you clip one on
Is the Shadtail easy to fish? Yes. The paddle tail provides an easy-action movement, so a steady retrieve, lift-and-drop or slow roll can all work. It’s a good choice when you want the lure to create movement without loads of rod-tip faff.
Is the R2F suitable for perch? The smaller sizes can be, but remember it’s a sinking hard lure and the weights increase quickly through the range. Match the 7cm or 10cm version to suitable perch tackle and the water you’re fishing.
Which one is best for pike? There’s no single winner. The larger Shadtail is useful when you want a flexible soft bait, while the R2F gives you a sinking hard lure with full wire-through construction and a fixed hook arrangement. Let the depth, cover and retrieve you fancy dictate the pick.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Convincing roach-like profile with realistic eyes, belly flash and detailed hand-painted finishes.
- Useful choice of sizes for perch, pike and different water conditions.
- Shadtail offers a flexible, easy-action presentation that’s simple to fish.
- R2F’s full wire-through body is a reassuring setup for hard-fighting predators.
Worth knowing
- You need to choose carefully between Shadtail and R2F, as they fish quite differently.
- The larger R2F sizes are proper heavy lures and need suitable predator tackle.
- Soft Shadtail versions can be more vulnerable to pike damage than a hard lure.
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Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01What sizes does Westin Ricky the Roach come in?
What sizes does Westin Ricky the Roach come in?
The Shadtail is available in 7cm, 10cm, 14cm and 18cm. The R2F is also available across 7cm, 10cm, 14cm and 18cm sizes.
02What’s the difference between the Shadtail and R2F?
What’s the difference between the Shadtail and R2F?
The Shadtail is a flexible soft lure with an easy-action paddle tail. The R2F is a sinking hard lure with full wire-through construction, a rear single hook and a belly treble.
03Which Ricky the Roach size should I use?
Which Ricky the Roach size should I use?
Start with 7cm or 10cm for perch and smaller prey. Move to 14cm or 18cm when you’re targeting pike or matching a bigger roach profile. Let the depth, bait size and tackle make the final call.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a versatile roach imitation with plenty of range. The strongest reasons to choose it are convincing roach-like profile with realistic eyes, belly flash and detailed hand-painted finishes. and useful choice of sizes for perch, pike and different water conditions.; the main trade-off is you need to choose carefully between shadtail and r2f, as they fish quite differently..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Convincing roach-like profile with realistic eyes, belly flash and detailed hand-painted finishes.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Perch anglers: The 7cm and 10cm options give you a sensible roach-sized profile for casting around weed edges, snags and margins.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “You need to choose carefully between Shadtail and R2F, as they fish quite differently.”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
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