May 29, 2013
By Ned Kehde
Some Midwest finesse anglers have experienced problems keeping Z-Man Fishing Products' ElaZtech baits, such as the 2 1/2-inch ZinkerZ, situated snugly or flush to the heads of their jigs.
We have addressed this problem is past blogs, which readers can see at these two links:
http://www.in-fisherman.com/2013/02/11/finesse-news-networks-gear-guide-bill-wards-midwest-finesse-jigs/
http://www.in-fisherman.com/2012/07/15/finesse-news-network-gear-guide-super-glue-bait-hitch-barb-wire-collars-and-more/
Last year TT Lures of Brendale, Queensland, Australia, introduced a jig they call the HeadlockZ HD. It was designed for saltwater anglers, and it sports a split-grip grub keeper.
According to folks at TT Lures, it was especially designed for locking Z-Man's ElaZtech baits firmly to head of the jig, which would solve the problem that bedevils some Midwest finesse devotees.
But unfortunately the smallest one that they manufacture is an 1/8-ounce model. There are, however, some rumors afloat that some smaller jigs might be in the offing. If that transpires, we will post an update.
What's more, HeadlockZ model possesses a darter-style head, which works well with a straight-swimming retrieve. But most Midwest finesse anglers prefer a mushroom-style head on their jigs for implementing the swim-and-glide retrieve, the hop-and-bounce retrieve, the drag-and-shake shake, and the drag-and-deadstick retrieve.
For more information TT Lure's jigs, here's a link to its Web site: http://www.ttlures.com.au/index.php
Endnotes:
In the eyes of many fastidious Midwest finesse anglers, the gap between the head of the ZinkerZ and the head of the jig is disconcerting, and it adversely affects their concentration and the way they fish.
But across the years, a few veteran Midwest finesse anglers have determined that it is not necessary to have a 2 1/1-inch ZinkerZ rigged so that its head is flush to the head of the jig. In fact, these anglers say that at times largemouth and smallmouth bass find that a 2 1/2-inch ZinkerZ with an appreciable gap is more alluring than one without a gap. These anglers also find that a radical bend or twist in the 2 1/2-inch ZinkerZ catches the eyes of scores of largemouth and smallmouth bass. This bend or twist occurs when the ZinkerZ slips down the shank and onto the bend of the hook. Of course, such a rigging is anathema to the fastidious anglers.
