Bass Fishing Dec 2016 | Page 47

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 14 zmanfishing.com 15 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 16 17 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 45