Lesson Learned, A Warning To All

[Preytorien]

Seems like I read it somewhere, but it didn't store in easily accessible parts of my brain, so I learned the hard way....

Z-Man products do NOT play well with JJ's Magic

[Maxximus Redneckus]

Lol

[Bluebasser86]

Sure doesn't. I've posted it at least a few times. Bet you remember it now!

[Preytorien]

Sure doesn't. I've posted it at least a few times. Bet you remember it now!

 

Yes I will. As I watched the TRD disintegrate I thought to myself, "Man, I'm sure I read that somewhere on BR" 

[Smokinal]

Not to hijack but how bout a spike-it marker? I was going to order a spike-it marker to touch some orange on my GP TRD's. Will they play well together or do I have to put them in separate corners?

[Master Bait'r]

Yes, Elaztech and JJs or other plastics is like personal savings and wives. They just don't mix.

[Preytorien]

Not to hijack but how bout a spike-it marker? I was going to order a spike-it marker to touch some orange on my GP TRD's. Will they play well together or do I have to put them in separate corners?

 

I'm not sure about the Spike-It. Try it on one of your more beat up Z-Mans (so you're not testing on a new one), and let us know.

 

I know it's fine with MegaStrike. In fact, as you use the TRD's the become slightly spongy. So I let them dry overnight, then the next day slather them in MegaStrike, and stretch them a few times, then let them sit some more. I can imagine this might somewhat impregnate the MegaStrike into the TRD?

 

Worth a shot...

[NathanW]

I have learned my lesson too many times with elaztech. Even when you are not mixing it one day in a hot boat and it loses its shape. Fish don't seem to think much of a worm that has a 90º kink in it. If they would clamshell everything I would consider buying again, too much money wasted on that product. 

[Bluebasser86]

I have learned my lesson too many times with elaztech. Even when you are not mixing it one day in a hot boat and it loses its shape. Fish don't seem to think much of a worm that has a 90º kink in it. If they would clamshell everything I would consider buying again, too much money wasted on that product. 

I fish in extreme heat all summer long and have only ever had this happen with one pack, and I have a lot of Zman baits in my boat. Took them home and laid them out and they fixed themselves. 

[jtharris3]

OOPS!

[BW208]

You guys like the elaztec stuff?  I find it hard to use as a texas rig.  The hook point keeps popping out.

[einscodek]

Yes even if you know it, it has to sink in.. its too easy to just throw that elaztech in with the others without thinking and reorganizing

after a while you end up with a pile o mess

[BassThumbAddict]

They mix as good as two girls wearing the same dress at prom. 

[Felixone]

The reactivity of Elaztech is exactly why I have never purchased any myself.  I have several packs of different Z-Man baits that I gathered through my tackle subscriptions.  On occasion I will bring one out, but I really just don't think they are worth it.  When I fish in the kayak I will carry a coffee can with me.  Each time I swap a bait I will drop the old lure in the can.  The main reason I do this is laziness, but I also don't want to put wet lures back in with dry ones.  This means that on occasion an Elaztech lure will get dropped in there with everything else.  At least twice now I forgot the can in my car for a couple days only to come back to a real mess.

 

This has nearly turned me off this type of bait completely.  I love the durability, and I can even deal with the "extra effort" needed to rig them.  What I can't deal with is ruining lures because I was too tired after fishing, or just plain forgetful.  When you add in the attractant issue it just makes everything worse.  Perhaps if I was to switch completely to Z-Man the melting wouldn't be an issue.  I have also just ordered my first tube of Megastrike.  If this can get me away from JJ's or Spike-It maybe I would consider the switch, but for now I really like dye aspect of JJ's and Spike-It.  Another thought is that if I were to ditch the kayak in favor of a boat where I have more room to move around I might consider switching as keeping different types of lure separate would be a little easier.

[gardnerjigman]

The main reason I do this is laziness, 

 

This has nearly turned me off this type of bait completely.  I love the durability, and I can even deal with the "extra effort" needed to rig them.  What I can't deal with is ruining lures because I was too tired after fishing, or just plain forgetful.  

 

This is generally to blame with people have a bad experience with z-man products. I've used 1 craw punching water willows and grass mats now for 4 different outings (with a trokar flipping hook) and it is still going strong. Have a buddy that has used one of the zman minnows as a trailer for probably 2 solid months now (fishing probably 2-3 times per week). Still going strong. 

 

There is a reward for the work you have to do to maintain them (not really work, just keep them in the original packaging.)

 

Do you not strap your kayak down to your truck after fishing because you are too tired or forget? Same difference on a bigger scale. 

[Smokinal]

I've never understood why it's so hard for people to just put the bait back in the package. I keep each and every soft plastic in their original package until they are gone.