Have good success with this bait...

[Bubba 460]

 

I went fishing yesterday morning and had a decent day. The bait that produced the best was the  4" ZMan Streak Curly Tailz in the "moodring" color. I put it on a Ned head, ideally the hook should have been 1/8th of an inch longer in order to lay in the grove better but it was working fine. I started out catching some small bass on a wacky around cover then went to a point and started throwing the curly tail Ned rig around patchy grass or on the outside perimeter of the grass line (5 to 10 feet of of water) I was catching bass every five cast or so. Nothing big, 2 to  2.5 pounds was the average. I did loose a nice drag burner that that pulled off and I watched a big boil come to the surface~ grrr. I had a buddy there in another boat and he was not doing as well and asked what I was using. I told him to come over and I'd fix'em up. He had been throwing a crank. He ties one on and on the first cast caught a two pound bass. He quickly caught six more and I told him I needed the bait back. Shortly after that we had to go. I ended up with 16 bass and a five pound catfish~ always a let down because at first you think it's a big bass, again ~ grrr.  My buddy ask me to order him 4 packs of the StreakZ and I'm down to one bait myself because he would not give me the bait back.  I'm going to order the 5" StreakZ as well.

 

Anyway, I'm sure there are several here already using this bait in some forum or another, I just wanted to give a heads-up to others that might want to give it a try. It would make a great drop-shot bait as well and there are many other applications for it's use. It's got great action, it's kind of a half fluke, half grub. The only thing I will add is do not skin hook this bait... The ZMan TRD soft baits are a different animal and if you shin hook it you will loose fish because the hook will be "trapped" in the TRD elasticity.     

[GetFishorDieTryin]

What kind of head is that?

[Bubba 460]

20 hours ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

What kind of head is that?

 

It's a ewg ned head

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I know its an EWG ned, I was curious of the brand.

[Bubba 460]

8 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

I know its an EWG ned, I was curious of the brand.

 

Hunting and Fishing Depot Pepper EWG. I bought them off of eBay.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Thank you

 

[Sphynx]

I really like using EWG ned heads when the weeds are up, using the standard heads is a better hookup most of the time, but I get hung up so often I end up losing too much tackle to be worth the hassle until the weeds die back for the year, I find the original TRD works great, and the crawz and bugz work pretty well when you need something with a bit more action, I am enjoying the ticklerz for a finesse tube.

[Bubba 460]

4 hours ago, Sphynx said:

I really like using EWG ned heads when the weeds are up, using the standard heads is a better hookup most of the time, but I get hung up so often I end up losing too much tackle to be worth the hassle until the weeds die back for the year, I find the original TRD works great, and the crawz and bugz work pretty well when you need something with a bit more action, I am enjoying the ticklerz for a finesse tube.

 

It seems to do well when I slowly hop it along the bottom, particularly around grass. It should do well this winter. I've always used the small standard Ned baits but this seems to work better. Using it around the shore as a surface/sub surface bait with just a hook as produced well too.

[desmobob]

8 hours ago, Sphynx said:

I really like using EWG ned heads when the weeds are up, using the standard heads is a better hookup most of the time, but I get hung up so often I end up losing too much tackle to be worth the hassle until the weeds die back for the year

 

I've been rigging my Z-Man TRD baits on an Owner ultrahead finesse ballhead or T-rigged.  I love the Shroomz, but it seems like I spend more time hanging up and tying on new ones then fishing them.  The hook-up ratio goes down, especially if you skin hook, but it beats losing the   rig every half-dozen casts or clearing vegetation off the hook point every cast...

[bulldog1935]

for weedless on a minnow tail, I like Z-man Texas-eye jighead - this is 1/8 oz.  

 

 

I don't miss many fish on this - hook-up is great, and it's flexible in every direction, so I think fish hang on longer.  

[desmobob]

7 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

for weedless on a minnow tail, I like Z-man Texas-eye jighead - this is 1/8 oz.  

 

 

I don't miss many fish on this - hook-up is great, and it's flexible in every direction, so I think fish hang on longer.  

...and it looks like the bait's little dorsal fin deflects weeds away from the hook point, so skin-hooking (and the resulting reduction in hook-ups) is not necessary?

 

I just ordered some Texas Eye jigheads.  I haven't tried any of the Z-man heads with that type keeper yet.  Cool.

[bulldog1935]

7 minutes ago, desmobob said:

...and it looks like the bait's little dorsal fin deflects weeds away from the hook point, so skin-hooking (and the resulting reduction in hook-ups) is not necessary?

 

there's a fold in the dorsal on the Z-man minnow tails that hides the hook point - so yes, the hook point isn't buried in the lure body.  

[desmobob]

8 minutes ago, bulldog1935 said:

 

there's a fold in the dorsal on the Z-man minnow tails that hides the hook point - so yes, the hook point isn't buried in the lure body.  

I know that feature can be a double-edged sword in Elaztech baits...  after catching a fish or two, the hook point and barb often goes through one side or the other, distorting the bait.  The toughness and elasticity of the plastic can make it a challenge to un-foul.

 

I still love the durability and buoyancy of their plastics though!

[bulldog1935]

my only problem was a forgetful day throwing one in contact with a DOA minnow tail - it all melted into a lump.  

[desmobob]

Just now, bulldog1935 said:

my only problem was a forgetful day throwing one in contact with a DOA minnow tail - it all melted into a lump.  

 

That's the biggest issue with the Z-Man ElaZTech... you practically have to treat it like unexploded ordnance.  

[Sphynx]

3 hours ago, desmobob said:

 

I've been rigging my Z-Man TRD baits on an Owner ultrahead finesse ballhead or T-rigged.  I love the Shroomz, but it seems like I spend more time hanging up and tying on new ones then fishing them.  The hook-up ratio goes down, especially if you skin hook, but it beats losing the   rig every half-dozen casts or clearing vegetation off the hook point every cast...

Half a dozen casts? What's your secret, I am lucky to get a couple before I snag lol

[desmobob]

7 hours ago, Sphynx said:

Half a dozen casts? What's your secret, I am lucky to get a couple before I snag lol

 

Secret?  I was exaggerating/bragging.   ?

 

I think I snag one on every other cast.  At least it seems that way...

 

[GRiver]

Thanks for tip, I’m going to order some. Can’t wait to try it out 

Forgot something …..killer picture is that sunset or sunrise?

[Bubba 460]

1 hour ago, GRiver said:

Thanks for tip, I’m going to order some. Can’t wait to try it out 

Forgot something …..killer picture is that sunset or sunrise?

 

 That was a sunrise ~ got there a little early and had to wait about five minutes before I could see well enough to back the boat in.

 I hope they work as well for you as they are for me.