DanielN

The more I look at the pic above, the more I think that there was a little bit of water or moisture in the bag of Coppertreuse baits that caused the plastic to begin to deteoriate. While our baits are not truly biodegradable, the do break down over time when exposed to the elements, and I believe that water can speed this up. Salt in our baits attracts moisture. We're located on the coast in South Carolina where the humidity is ridiculously high - in the summer, it feels like a steamroom here! If I leave heavily salted baits like the TRD or ZinkerZ loose on my workbench in the garage, they attract moisture due to the salt (unsalted baits don't do this) and literally feel like a wet sponge after a few days. I've noticed that the baits lose their durability, much like you experienced. I think the moral of the story is to make sure that our bags don't get moisture in them or that wet baits don't get returned to the bags. I can't say for certain that this is what happened here, but that Coppertreuse turd sure does remind me of those wet spongy baits from my garage! Regardless, there's still a chance that you received bad product, and we're glad to send replacements.

Bunnielab, I work with Z-Man and wanted to address your concerns directly. Sorry for the issue you experienced with the TRDs - I don't think we've received feedback like this, so it is definitely not typical. We stand behind our product 100% and will gladly send you some replacements if you like, just let us know. We have not changed the formula for this bait, but it sounds like maybe the couple of baits that tore easily may have inadvertently had a slightly higher salt content or may have been exposed to moisture inside the bag, which could explain the spongier texture. One difference between the TRD and the ZinkerZ is the amount of salt impregnated in each. The ZinkerZ is molded with 45% salt by weight to cause the bait the sink and counteract the buoyancy of ElaZtech, while the TRD is made with only 25% salt, which allows it to retain its buoyancy. The reason we impregnate the TRD with salt is to duplicate the texture of a worn ZinkerZ - once the ZinkerZ loses some salt, it takes on a spongier feel and becomes buoyant, and those are characteristics that Midwest finesse anglers feel increases the effectiveness of the baits. That said, it's difficult to maintain 100% consistent salt content in these baits, which is more noticeable in ElaZtech than with conventional plastics given their buoyancy and stretchiness. Whether you're using the ZinkerZ or TRD (or Hula StickZ for that matter) for Ned Rig applications, one thing we recommend is that you stretch and rub the baits before using them to loosen up and remove some of the salt. As noted above, this adds to the baits' buoyancy (allows them to consistently stand up off the bottom at rest and slows the sink rate) and replicates the spongy feel of a well-worn bait that is so desirable. Salt effectively stiffens the baits as well, so stretching and rubbing them makes the baits more pliable and limber and ultimately adds to the fish catching action. If you would like us to send you some replacement baits, just let us know!

Nickles, that's a good question. The ChatterBait Elites are the only baits that are manufactured start-to-finish overseas, but I wouldn't consider them to be 'lower end' at all - in fact, I would put the current ChatterBait Elites up against any bladed jig we make quality-wise. The components for the Original ChatterBait are made overseas, but they're assembled and packaged domestically. The Project Z ChatterBait, ChatterBait Custom, and Bass Pro ChatterBait XPS Pro are all made in the USA. We're proud to say that manufacture a much larger portion of our product line domestically than most other lure companies of our size.

MDBowHunter, that's not normal at all, and we will gladly stand behind our product and make this right! The top two photos show a ChatterBait model that has been discontinued in lieu of higher quality, US-made products like out Project Z ChatterBait. On the Original ChatterBait in the bottom pic, the hook eye was not crimped down all the way, allowing the blade to slip off. The hook eyes are closed one at a time by hand, and this one obviously slipped through the cracks - no excuses here, just our sincerest apology. Please e-mail these pics along with your address to info@zmanfishing.com, and we'll replace these with current model ChatterBaits. Thanks for the opportunity to make this right, and our apologies for your experience.

Thanks for the interest in ChatterBait fishing! Regarding rods, there are 2 primary schools of thought. Many anglers prefer to use a more parabolic rod (similar to a crankbait rod), while others prefer a stiffer, fast action rod like a spinnerbait rod or even a flipping stick. Line is again a personal preference between braid or fluorocarbon. As far as the baits go, there's a reason why so many pros (even the ones we don't sponsor) use the Z-Man ChatterBait! The patented direct head-to-blade connection makes all the difference and allows the bait to vibrate (or "chatter") on slower retrieves (and even on the fall) and prevents the bait from hydroplaning on faster retrieves. That's not to say you can't catch fish on other bladed jigs with a split ring style head-to-blade connection, but the ChatterBait design has proven year-in and year-out to be the most versatile and effective design out there. As far as the baits themselves go, we've made a lot of tweaks to improve quality of the Originals over the last few years and have added several newer versions with different hook and skirt options, beefed up components, etc. If you haven't used a Z-Man ChatterBait in the last few years, you owe it to yourself to check them out! Here's a rundown of the current options: Original ChatterBait - at $4.99, this is a price point bait, but in the last few years, we've upgraded to a sharper and stronger needlepoint hook, enlarged the collar on the neck of the jig to prevent skirts from sliding down, added a trailer keeper, and modified the shape of the snap to prevent it from opening or pulling free. Even though it's the least expensive standard size ChatterBait in the lineup, lots of pros still opt for this version. In fact, Aaron Martens used it to win a Bassmaster Elite event just last summer (even though he endorses a competitor's bladed jig)! ChatterBait Elite - $6.99 MSRP, features a 5/0 Gamakatsu hook, low profile hub EZ Skirt, wider head and modified head-to-blade connection that brings the blade closer to the head for more vibration, molded in trailer keeper, nicer paint jobs on the head to match skirt patterns, new style extra strong quick clip, etc. ChatterBait Custom (*** exclusive) - $6.99 MSRP, features a 4/0 black nickel Mustad UltraPoint jig hook, wire trailer keeper, traditional banded skirt, skirt matched head paint jobs, extra strong quick clip, made and assembled in the USA ChatterBait XPS Pro (Bass Pro exclusive) - $7.99 MSRP, features a 5/0 black nickel Mustad UltraPoint spinnerbait hook (longer shank for larger swimbait trailers), traditional ChatterBait shape head, molded in trailer keeper, large neck collar to prevent skirts from slipping, double umbrella EZ Skirt for fuller profile, skirt-matched head paint schemes, extra strong quick clip, made and assembled in the USA Project Z ChatterBait - $8.49 MSRP, 5/0 black nickel Mustad UltraPoint spinnerbait hook, streamlined swim jig shaped head with 3D eyes, double trailer keeper, double umbrella EZ Skirt for fuller profile, skirt-matched head paint schemes, oversized neck collar to prevent skirts from slipping, extra strong quick clip, made in the USA ChatterBait Freedom - $8.49 MSRP, brand new, can be pre-ordered from *** but will be available soon, incorporates Freedom Tackle's interchangeable swinging hook design, allows for weedless rigging on a 5/0 long neck VMC EWG hook In response to a comment above about our blades bending and breaking, all of our blades are stamped from stainless material that is very strong. In strength testing on Instron machines, the blade has never been the weak link on any ChatterBait. The thickness of the blades is critical to the bait working as well as it does, and the thicker blades found on most other bladed jigs really reduce the action and vibration. We've learned this through a great deal of testing and trial and error. The blades will bend, but many anglers like to bend the blades to tweak the action of the baits, and they can easily be bent back. Finally, we stand behind our products 100%, so if you ever have any issues with our products, just let us know and we'll make it right! We always welcome your feedback and input too! Thanks!

We have explored (and are continuing to look into) options for ElaZtech-proof boxes, but so far, everything we've seen has been far too expensive. Thanks for the input, and we'll continue to look into this! Some of our colors do bleed, so we would recommend storing different colors separately.

That's a great question. The bags themselves won't hurt ElaZtech plastics, but the residue from the other plastics might. Over extended periods of time, the ElaZtech baits could affect the bag itself depending on the structure of the bag - for instance, the zipper could detach from the bag, or the films in the bag could delaminate. Our bags are ElaZtech-proof and utilize a special adhesive to attach the zipper as well as a certain type of barrier film in the bag itself. If you're looking for a way to store more ElaZtech baits together, you can use a ziplock freezer bag and should not have any issues!

Unlike other ElaZtech baits, the ZinkerZ sink at the same rate as a Senko. ElaZtech itself is buoyant, but we load these with enough salt that they sink on their own. After about 8-10 fish, enough salt is expelled from the bait that it will start to float (or at least sink at a slower rate), but Senkos are usually only good for a fish or two, so the ZinkerZ are still a money saver.

Glad everyone likes the TRDs and Finesse ShroomZ, but sorry to hear that folks are having a hard time getting ahold of them. Like anything new, it sometimes takes distributors and dealers a bit longer to catch onto something new than us fishermen! It can be a bit frustrating for us as a manufacturer too, but it's just part of the deal unfortunately. A lot of the national chains like Cabela's and Bass Pro place orders well in advance, so it can take them a little bit longer to respond when something gets hot. The distributors that service smaller dealers often refuse to stock products in their warehouses until dealers request it and only add new items on an annual basis in the fall or winter. And, most dealers are limited on space and funds sometimes too, so many don't bring in new items until customers are screaming for them and they know they can sell them! We have plenty of TRDs in stock, and if you're having trouble finding them elsewhere, you can always give us a call at (877) 797-242 and order from us directly. If you know any dealers that should be stocking these or are out, feel free to send us their name and contact info so we can send them a catalog, or have them call us directly. We have been a little bit backed up on the Finesse ShroomZ heads recently, but we just shipped large orders to Bass Pro, Cabela's, and Tackle Warehouse last week, and more are on the way. Again, you're welcome to give us a shout to see what we have in stock and when we might have more in. Thanks for the interest in the Ned Rig system, and nice to see that people are realizing the benefits of the TRD and how different these baits are! Please give us a shout if there's anything we can do for you!

Thanks for the kind words, if there is anything we can ever do for you on this end, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@zmanfishing.com or call us toll-free.

The Original ChatterBait does not have a trailer keeper, but the ChatterBait Elite has a molded-in trailer keeper.

I was directed towards this thread and wanted to respond on behalf of Z-Man. We appreciate any and all feedback on our products, good or bad - fortunately, we get a lot more positive feedback on the ChatterBait, but we're definitely receptive to any kind of constructive feedback that we can get to help us make a better bladed jig. My apologies for your experience with the ChatterBait Elite. Something was definitely off with the Elites you got, and we will gladly send you replacements (just shoot me a message through this site). The Elite runs a little bit differently than the Original due to a slightly different head shape and a molded-in eyelet that puts the blade closer to the head. Most of our pros and the anglers we've talked to prefer the action of the Elite to that of Original, namely because the blade makes more contact with the jghead and creates more of a "chattering" sound that gave this bait its name. It's hard to tell, but it appears that the eyelet on the bait in your picture may not be molded into the head correctly, and the flat surface on the eyelet may be causing the blade to catch. We saw this on some of the early Elites and have since made some changes in the manufacturing process to prevent this going forward. Again, just get in touch and we will send you replacements along with a return shipping label for the baits you have - we would like to check them out to see where we went wrong so we can eliminate mistakes like this going forward. Good catch on the difference in the bend on the blades - you are correct that the blade on the Elite is not as curved as the blade on the Original. This should not make much of a difference in the action though, and the blades can be easily tuned if you want a little bit more or less bend in either. As far as the Original ChatterBaits go, we've made a lot of improvements to these baits over the last few years and are always looking for ways to make the Original even better. Several years ago, we received complaints about hooks, so we switched to a higher quality custom needlepoint hook that is very sharp. We've received a lot of great feedback about the new hook. Overall, we feel like we're making a much better product now than ever before, and the number of pros using (and winning money on) the ChatterBait speaks to that. Thanks for sharing your experience on the Elite, and please get in touch so we can get some replacements out to you!