2017 BUYER’S GUIDE
SWIMBAITS
1. Gary Yamamoto Zako
First look: With forked tail and ribbed body, the Zako
resembles a small baitfish. It can be put to good use as a
spinnerbait or buzzbait trailer or a drop-shot attractor and
even rigged as a swimbait. The articulated rear section pro-
vides enhanced action no matter how it’s fished.
Size: 4 inches
Colors: 8
Suggested retail: $6.49 for six
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baits.com
2. LIVETARGET Swimbait Series
First look: The baits in this family of new swimbaits
from LIVETARGET look good enough to fillet. Among
the offerings are threadfin shad, golden shiner, blue-
back herring, rainbow trout, gizzard shad, parr trout
and yellow perch. The line tie is in the nose, and
there’s a single hook in the back that matches the
body size, with a hanger extending from the belly for
an extra hook if it’s desired and practical.
Size: multiple realistic sizes per bait species
Colors: 2 per bait
Suggested retail: $8.99 to $16.99, depending on
size
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livetargetlures.com
3. Optimum Boom Boom Swimbait
First look: Not counting the paddle tail, the textured
scales and fins give it a lifelike appearance. Two versions
are available: a weedless model that can be rigged with
an 8/0 swimbait hook and a rigged model with a No. 1
belly treble.
Size: 6 inches
Colors: 12 (rigged) or 15 (weedless)
Suggested retail: $9.99 for two weedless; $10.99 for
one rigged
optimumbaits.com
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4. Megabass MAGSLOWL
First look: A slender body profile delivers maxi-
mum movement at