Lizard baits

[BrianMDTX]

I have never been a big user of lizard baits. But the spawn is starting here in SE Texas and we do have an abundance of lizards here. So I’m trying to avoid the call of the BM and buying baits that maybe I don’t need, but his siren song is that a TR lizard or a jig with a lizard trailer may be just the ticket. 
 

So, do lizard baits really offer anything over and above other creature or craw baits? And do you right them more as a TR or as a jig trailer (or other?). 

[Bluebasser86]

My PB was on an 8" Zoom Lizard, but I really don't believe that a lizard profile vs a brush hog or baby brush hog is so significant that they're worth carrying. The only time I really still use a lizard is on a C-rig because the flat bottom of the bait glides a little better than a creature bait. Maybe in really clear water it might make a difference, but we don't have any of that here. 

[JHoss]

Agree with @Bluebasser86. I carry a couple packs in the boat, but it's rare I opt for them over a creature bait. Honestly, I think those couple packs are coming out of the boat before tournament season starts up. A Brush Hog or Baby Destroyer accomplishes the same thing and are more versatile IMO.

[Catt]

How does one verify which profile is more effective?

 

The lizard has remained relevant over the years because it produces. I caught bass on lizards when nothing else would. 

 

To me profile is like color, it matters when it matters! 

[Functional]

The lizard has been my dad's go to plastic the last few years. He does pretty well with a 5 or 6" Zoom Lizard in pumpkin everywhere from northern lakes to southern lakes. Just a hook and a split shot just in front of the hook (weight pending depth and wind) and slowly drags it on the bottom. 

[BassKat]

I'm in the south (central MS). Lizards are a staple for me, especially during the spawn. Also, if you feel your fish have seen what you're throwing in that category a few too many times, at a minimum, I'd recommend adding it as a change of pace lure. Also, it works well when your fish may want a little less bulk than a larger creature.

[JHoss]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

How does one verify which profile is more effective?

Impossible! But my logic is why waste the space for a bait I maybe will use 0.01% of the time and only after everything else failed? Realistically, I'm not going to get through my rotation of baits to get toa lizard in a standard tournament day. I've thrown a couple packs in the boat when I'm heading fun fishing and want to experiment, but they come back out when I get home. 

 

1 hour ago, Catt said:

The lizard has remained relevant over the years because it produces.

I saw Banjo Minnows for sale at Dick's when I was there last week...

 

If you have confidence in them, throw them. If you don't have confidence, maybe it makes more sense to stick with a similar profile you already do have confidence in. 

[BrianMDTX]

@Catt and @BassKat, how are you rigging them? I was thinking more on a jig than a TR but am open to either. 

[scaleface]

I like lizards a lot. They work spring, summer and fall ,   from shallow pitching to deep points, in purples and electric grape .

[Mobasser]

I've got several bags of Zoom 6" lizards. They'll work in the spring, but can catch bass all year long. Good baits.

I like grape, purple, black, and watermelon/ red flake.

[Catt]

1 hour ago, JHoss said:

But my logic is why waste the space for a bait I maybe will use 0.01% of the time and only after everything else failed?

 

One double digit sealed the deal for me

 

1 hour ago, JHoss said:

I saw Banjo Minnows for sale at Dick's when I was there last week...

 

Banjo Minnows were never more than a sales gimmick 

 

@BrianMDTX Now is when I throw lizards, Texas Rigged, 1/8-1/4 oz., bank shallow out to 10'. 

[Mike L]

Zoom Lizards are the only plastic I use on a C Rig because they seem to always produce for me. 
I never really think of using them on regular T Rig as I always think there are better choices. 
 

I’m sure I’m wrong as I just never think about them as much for that. 

 

 

 

 

Mike
 

 

[Pat Brown]

Yeah it's the plastic I fish at the end of winter the most.

[Catt]

I seldom if ever throw a lizard on a Carolina Rig, instead I throw a French Fry

 

 

[BrianMDTX]

I seldom if ever fish a Carolina Rig, lol. Maybe I should start. 

[BassKat]

1 hour ago, BrianMDTX said:

@Catt and @BassKat, how are you rigging them? I was thinking more on a jig than a TR but am open to either. 

@BrianMDTX I fish them mostly shallow. When the water is in the 55 - 70 range, athough I fish dingy water and can rarely see beds, I often choose a shorter 5" lizard as a pegged 5/16 texas or jika rig. I also fish 6+" weightless lizards high in the column or with a G7 Tungsten 3/64oz Screw Weight to get it down in the column a little as a search lure. The retrieve is usually moderate, so you can't cover as much water as some search lures, but if they aren't taking faster search lures, it can work really well. I think lizard profiles are especially interesting as they look natural swimming as a finesse search lure. The profile makes sense versus things like craw profiles that may look more natural slowly bumped along the bottom.

[Pumpkin Lizard]

8” Zoom Lizard. Texas rigged or even Carolina Rigged. 
 

Try it in your favorite colors. I like pumpkin, chart pumpkin. green pumpkin, pumpkin with the chart tail.

3 hours ago, Mike L said:

Zoom Lizards are the only plastic I use on a C Rig because they seem to always produce for me. 
I never really think of using them on regular T Rig as I always think there are better choices. 
 

I’m sure I’m wrong as I just never think about them as much for that. 

 

 

 

 

Mike
 

 

I love using them on a T Rig, but I usually go one bullet sinker lighter to get a slower sink rate in order to give it a bit more natural presentation and letting the appendages work.

 

I’ve never pegged the weights. 

I am excited to try them on free rigs this spring.

[Big Swimbait]

3 hours ago, Catt said:

I seldom if ever throw a lizard on a Carolina Rig, instead I throw a French Fry

 

 

I throw the 4 in Zoom lizard in this color on a light C-Rig. I have often referred to it as my "limit getter".

[steve carpenter]

Have caught a lot of bass on trigged black/blackchart zoom lizards year long. A confidence bait for me

[BrianMDTX]

Ok, so far it looks like zero use as a jig trailer. So it looks like I’ll be Texas rigging some lizards soon! 

[33oldtimer]

Caught one of my biggest Smallmouth on a Texas rigged green pumpkin lizard. I plan on fishing lizards much more this year. My thought is that on the heavily pressured waters around me bass don't see many of them compared to other lures.

[Pumpkin Lizard]

8 minutes ago, 33oldtimer said:

Caught one of my biggest Smallmouth on a Texas rigged green pumpkin lizard. I plan on fishing lizards much more this year. My thought is that on the heavily pressured waters around me bass don't see many of them compared to other lures.

 

I don't think they ever don't work.  I think other fishermen are using other shapes and profiles more right now, like creature baits. So it might work great for you.