2017 BUYER’S GUIDE
14. Z-Man Big T.R.D.
First look: Some soft plastics manufacturers have downsized
existing models to accommodate the recent surge of interest in
Ned rigs. Z-Man has upsized its popular Finesse T.R.D. by 1 1/4
inch to appeal to bass with bigger appetites. The Big T.R.D. is
made of Z-Man’s tough ElaZtech compound and, like the
Finesse T.R.D., can be paired with the company’s Finesse
ShroomZ jigheads.
Size: 4 inches
Colors: 12
Suggested retail: $4.49 for six
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zmanfishing.com
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15. Z-Man Boar HogZ
First look: The Boar Hogz has a ribbed body with three
appendages, a mini paddle and a swimming tail on each side.
The combo of swimming tails provides most of the action, but
at rest – depending on how it’s rigged – the tails will float up
to emulate a crawfish’s pincers.
Size: 4 inches
Colors: 10
Suggested retail: $4.49 for five
zmanfishing.com
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ADDING PIZZAZZ TO A SOFT BAIT
As old school as it might seem to some, many
pros still keep soft-bait dye handy for those occa-
sions when they feel fish in stained water can’t see
their bait very well.
Walmart FLW Tour pro Chris Johnston is a firm
believer in added attraction, and prefers bottles of
SPIKE-IT to accomplish it. It’s as easy as removing the
top and dipping one end or the other – but usually
the tail – in the waterproof dye.
“Chartreuse, for sure, is No. 1 with me, especial-
ly when I’m fishing green pumpkin baits,” says the
Canadian pro. “Then I’ll use other contrasting colors
depending on what my primary color is.”
Johnston doesn’t just use dye when he’s fishing
dirty water. Sometimes when he’s sight-fishing he
uses a bright-colored dye to help him keep up with
his bait.
DECEMBER 2016 I FLWFISHING.COM
16. Z-Man T.R.D. TubeZ
First look: This is a variation on the Ned rig theme for when bass want a bit more
teasing than the plain-Jane original can deliver. The nose is solid for rigging with the
Finesse ShroomZ jighead.
Size: 2 3/4 inches
Colors: 8
Suggested retail: $4.49 for six
zmanfishing.com
17. Zoom Z-3 Trick Worm
First look: The Z-3 Trick Worm is a triple-laminate hand-poured
straight-tail worm patterned after the company’s standard Trick Worm.
Size: 6 1/2 inches
Colors: 5
Suggested retail: $4.79 for 10
zoombaits.com
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