A new M I N I M A X ?

[Peacedivision]

Just now, woolleyfooley said:

Thank you! How is the action compared to the Ned bomb? I almost exclusively use the spunk shad but the Ned bomb does look interesting.

Sorry I haven't fished the ned so can't compare, just adding the visual. Spunk shad is my go-to 99% of the time.

[NorthernBasser]

4 hours ago, IYAOYAS said:

The 3 inch yamamoto zako makes an awesome minimax trailer as well. 

There's also a new Yamamoto Slim Zako 3.5" that I bet would look great on the back of the MiniMax. 

[A-Jay]

9 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

There's also a new Yamamoto Slim Zako 3.5" that I bet would look great on the back of the MiniMax. 

A sweet basshead sampler selection of Slim Zakos is er route my position at this time.

A-Jay

[Bass Rutten]

The 3.5" spunk shad is a significantly bigger chunk 'o plastic, 5.0gm vs 3.3gm. The action on the ned bomb I would describe as less erratic, it does seem to make the mini run a little deeper.

[Brian11719]

Since we are doing trailer pics I'd argue the 3" zakos were a good fit w/ the original ones

 

[stk44]

@A-Jay man that’s a great looking bait. 

Have you ever tried the regular bladed jig mini?
 

I’ve been using them for a long time with good success. While the fit and finish leaves much to be desired, I generally break them off before the rubber skirt holder dry rots. However….the larger hook might allow me to put some beefier trailers on, so now I’m tempted to pick up a few on my next TW order. 

[A-Jay]

18 minutes ago, stk44 said:

@A-Jay man that’s a great looking bait. 

Have you ever tried the regular bladed jig mini?
 

I’ve been using them for a long time with good success. While the fit and finish leaves much to be desired, I generally break them off before the rubber skirt holder dry rots. However….the larger hook might allow me to put some beefier trailers on, so now I’m tempted to pick up a few on my next TW order. 

 

Not really - fished the mini max but it's still not doing much for me.

 I have had a ton of success with a JH mostly.

So much so that while that new bait looks pretty killer,

In my mind, there is very little chance another v-bait it could be better.

Might be as good, but not better.

With a boat full of Z-Man baits already, I'm going to stick with what I have.

Still, I'll be following your deal and whatever success you will have with that one.

Fish Hard 

A-Jay

IMO, the secret is where, when & how I fish them, not the bait itself.

https://youtu.be/zIqCmH_52IQ?feature=shared&t=387

https://youtu.be/o9xew3tWuuU?feature=shared&t=1013

[stk44]

7 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

 

Not really - fished the mini max but it's still not doing much for me.

 I have had a ton of success with a JH mostly.

So much so that while that new bait looks pretty killer,

In my mind, there is very little chance another v-bait it could be better.

Might be as good, but not better.

With a boat full of Z-Man baits already, I'm going to stick with what I have.

Still, I'll be following your deal and whatever success you will have with that one.

Fish Hard 

A-Jay

IMO, the secret is where, when & how I fish them, not the bait itself.

https://youtu.be/zIqCmH_52IQ?feature=shared&t=387

https://youtu.be/o9xew3tWuuU?feature=shared&t=1013

All I can say is WOW, to those fish. I don’t think I’ve ever caught a SM on a bladed jig. I’ve caught a ton of largemouth though on both the original and mini bladed jig. Not sure why that is. 
 

I told myself for years that I don’t want to buy jackhammers because after using them I won’t want to go back. Well… I got a few on sale over the holidays and plan on trying them out. Your videos have me wanting to take a sick day tomorrow and get the boat out…

[HighCountryBassAssassin]

The bladed jig was a hit or miss for me until fishing the Mini Max in timber on Cedar Bluff last fall.  I was definitely going to order the Baby Jack but might throw some of these in as well. Big Spunk Shad guy but I'm going to order some of those Ned Bombs @Bass Rutten . Sounds like a sweet combo to me. 

[RRocket]

For those looking for less bulk than a Spunk Shad yet want the hunting, lively action..here's what I use. I've included bottom and profile photos.

 

OSP Dolive Stick.

 

OSP Action Trailer.

 

The Action Trailer is much more versatile. You can mount horizontal or vertical. You can remove appendages. When I want bait fish like tail, I mount vertical and remove the 2 center appendages. When I want pure pin tail, I'll remove the "claws" and sometimes one of the center appendages. This really is a great, under the radar trailer.

 

 

[NorthernBasser]

Another good MiniMax option I like is the Missile Baits Mini D Chunk (rigged horizontally). Yo-yoed off the bottom in the springtime has been very productive. 

 

[Fishingmickey]

On 3/24/2025 at 8:35 PM, NorthernBasser said:

Jackhammer and Baby Jack costs the same amount?

Nope. Baby Jack is about 4-5 bucks cheaper.

FM

[MRQturbo]

What rods are you using to throw these mini max baits... Can you still feel the blades thump? 

[JHoss]

2 hours ago, Fishingmickey said:

Nope. Baby Jack is about 4-5 bucks cheaper.

FM

Tackle Warehouse has 3/8 and 1/2 ounce JH's for $15.99. Baby Jacks are $15.99. JH Stealthblades are $15.99. Where are you finding Baby Jacks for $11-12?

[NorthernBasser]

3 hours ago, Fishingmickey said:

Nope. Baby Jack is about 4-5 bucks cheaper.

FM

Are you sure you're not talking about the new EVO MiniMax?

58 minutes ago, MRQturbo said:

What rods are you using to throw these mini max baits... Can you still feel the blades thump? 

 

I'll still throw them on same rods I throw the regular size bladed jigs. Unless I'm throwing 1/4oz, then maybe I'll go down to a a M+ Poison Adrena. But not necessary. A 3/8 oz or 1/2 oz MiniMax with a trailer is still plenty heavy to throw on your regular bladed jig rod. 

 

You can still feel the blade, it's just tighter/more subdued. 

[A-Jay]

Trailers arrived before the baits.

I hate it when that happens.

#slim

A-Jay

 

[Peacedivision]

[Fishingmickey]

3 hours ago, JHoss said:

Tackle Warehouse has 3/8 and 1/2 ounce JH's for $15.99. Baby Jacks are $15.99. JH Stealthblades are $15.99. Where are you finding Baby Jacks for $11-12?

 

3 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

Are you sure you're not talking about the new EVO MiniMax?

 I stand corrected. I will eat my humble pie. I just saw that the prices on TW are not the 19.99 I thought they were for the Jack Hammer. They are 15.99 - 17.99. With the Baby Jack at 15.99.

     My eight Baby Jacks should be here tomorrow according to the tracking.  Looking forward to seeing how well they perform. I'm hoping they start easier then the mini max's. 

FM

[woolleyfooley]

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Trailers arrived before the baits.

I hate it when that happens.

#slim

A-Jay

 

Any pics of the slim zako compared to the normal zako? 

[A-Jay]

21 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

Any pics of the slim zako compared to the normal zako? 

3/8 oz and 4 inch Zako on the left.

3/8 oz EVO Mini Max and Slim Zako on the right.

Btw EVO is good but still size 2/0

I like the head on this one.

 

A-Jay

[NorthernBasser]

7 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

3/8 oz and 4 inch Zako on the left.

3/8 oz EVO Mini Max and Slim Zako on the right.

Btw EVO is good but still size 2/0

I like the head on this one.

 

A-Jay

 

What about thickness across the back? Is the Slim skinnier there as well, or did it just lose the beer belly? 

[A-Jay]

50 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

 

What about thickness across the back? Is the Slim skinnier there as well, or did it just lose the beer belly? 

Slimmer in all respects.

Like me...

Seems like a good fit for both mini max baits, but too small for a regular JH

😎

A-Jay 

 

[Bass Rutten]

3 hours ago, Peacedivision said:

Can you confirm it's got a larger hook then the original mini?

[Peacedivision]

13 minutes ago, Bass Rutten said:

Can you confirm it's got a larger hook then the original mini?

they're really close but if anything the new evo hook is just a hair shorter at the bend

[Joedodge]

On 3/24/2025 at 2:02 PM, Bass Rutten said:

Me likey!!! As an aside, after trying many trailers I've found what has become my favorite minimax trailer, the missile baits ned bomb. Perfect body thickness and length right out of the package, great subtle fluttering tail action, and pretty durable too.

I’ve been looking for something to try as a trailer. I generally use a fluke jr. on my standard mini max. Thank you!!!