Project Z Weedless Chatterbait

Chatterbaits are one of the most effective spring time baits. Actually, as long as you have bass in the grass, the Chatterbait is wonderful. The new Weedless Chatterbait sports the same proven, tournament-winning design and upgraded features as the standard Project Z ChatterBait, the addition of a heavy fiber weedguard prevents snagging and fouling around wood, brush, docks, grass, and laydowns. Armed with premium components like 5/0 Mustad UltraPoint hooks, super strong line ties, stainless blades, and 3D eyes, this new weedless bladed jig helps you boldly go where no ChatterBait has gone before!

FEATURES

• ·    Heavy fiber weedguard for increased snag resistance
• ·    5/0 black nickel Mustad® UltraPoint® hook
• ·    Double umbrella Z-Tie™ EZ Skirt® for a fuller profile
• ·    Dual molded keeper barbs to hold soft plastic trailers securely
• ·    Super-strong quick clip line tie for maximum durability
• ·    3D eyes and multi-step, skirt matched paint schemes for an ultra-realistic look
• ·      Made in the USA

ICAST 2016 Rick Clunn on the Luck E Strike Trickster 2 which claimed his...

Finally, Rick Clunn reveals that the Luck E Strike Trickster 2 was the true bait that claimed his St John Victory! The Trickster 2 is an ultra weedless scrounger head ideal for heavy cover. Listen to the master as he explains how to use it.

ICAST 2015: HeadlockZ HD Jigheads

A winner of the Australian Fishing Tackle Association’s ‘Best Terminal Tackle’ Award, HeadlockZ HD jigheads are designed with a unique split grip keeper system that makes them easy to rig with ElaZtech soft plastics and locks all types of soft baits in place securely.  Thanks to their award-winning design, anglers can cast their lures hard, work their plastics aggressively, and keep fishing confidently without the need for constant re-rigging, even after hard strikes, knowing that soft baits are locked in position and swimming correctly.

HeadlockZ HD jigheads are built on extra heavy duty, chemically sharpened Mustad® UltraPoint® hooks and are available stateside in 3/0, 4/0, 6/0, and 8/0 hook sizes in weights ranging from 1/8 ounce to 3 ounces to cover a variety of fresh- and saltwater applications.  The smaller 3/0 and 4/0 sizes feature stronger hooks than other similarly sized jigheads, pair perfectly with a variety of three to five inch ElaZtech swimbaits, jerkbaits, and Scented BaitZ, and are ideally suited for both bass fishing and inshore saltwater fishing applications that call for extra-strong tackle.  The 6/0 and 8/0 versions match larger baits like the 6” SwimmerZ, 7” Scented Jerk ShadZ, 8” Mag SwimZ, and 10” HeroZ and are perfect for targeting bruisers like cobia, grouper, tarpon, jacks, striped bass, bluefish, tuna, and more using high-test braided superlines.

3 Bass Jigs You Must Know: Flipping Jigs

Jigs a must for any angler 

By Luigi De Rose

Big bass bite jigs. No one will dispute that. So you need to understand how to use them. Rubber skirted jigs are categorized into three distinct styles: flipping, football and finesse. They might seem similar but their intricacies make them uniquely different.

 

Flipping
Flipping jigs are the bread and butter of any bass nut. Poured with a stout hook and fiber weed guard, they’re meant to penetrate cover. Ranging from 1/4oz to magnum 1 1/2oz beasts, they are designed for war. Teamed with heavy lines and heavier rod actions they’ll sink into any cover.

Heavy grass bed are ideal flipping jig cover.
Teamed up with heavy action rod and braid, it is a
great method for catching giant bass. 

Focus on jighead design before tying one on. Missing minor details can become major headaches on the water. Cone shaped heads excel in weed. The line tie should be no greater than 60 degrees and the lead must mould seamlessly around  the hook eye. Any flaw will catch more weeds than bass. Being picky will have you fishing more and cleaning less. If you’re targeting wood, select a rounder or triangular shaped head. This design glides over limbs easily. The wider head also positions the hook up. Slimmer heads tend to fall on it side easy causes causing more hang-ups.  

Swimming a jig is a neat presentation that should be add to your bag of tricks. Using a grass jig, usually a 1/4oz or 5/16oz one, float the bait over cover much like a shallow crankbait. A slow steady retrieve while pulsing and jiggling the rod tip will keep the lure lively. This method transforms it into a fleeing baitfish so colours should match local bait. A few strands of orange, green, white, or light blue will work wonders. Don’t dismiss an all white jig and trailer. It’s a great minnow mimic.

A recent trend has been giant jigs; real big boys up to 1 1/2 ounces. From inches of water to the deepest weedbeds, jigging mats is a sure-fire method to nail the biggest bass but its very labour intensive. Lighter jig lack the momentum to pierce canopied weeds so stick to be heaviest ones. Requiring long, heavy action rods and the heaviest braided line you’ll need an ice pack for your elbow at day’s end.