Z-Man Fishing Products' Bama-Bug and Sprayed-Grass ZinkerZ

Nowadays, Midwest finesse anglers' lure repertoire revolves around 13 soft-plastic baits that are affixed to a 1/32-, 1/16- or 3/32-ounce Gopher Tackle Mushroom Head Jig. And Z-Man's Fishing Products' ZinkerZ is the lynchpin of the lot.

The ZinkerZ is a five-inch Senko- or stick-style bait, which Midwest finesse anglers customized by cutting it in half to make it 2 1/2-inches long.

In the eyes of Midwest finesse anglers, the 2 1/2-inch ZinkerZ is the most effective stickbait every made. What's more, it is the most durable one.   A 2 1/2-inch ZinkerZ rigged on a 1/16-ounce Gopher jig has been known to withstand donnybrooks with more than 100 largemouth bass before it becomes too tattered to use. What's more, as a 2 1/2-inch ZinkerZ becomes more aged and tattered from donnybrook after donnybrook, the more bass it betwitches. In fact, aging is one of its incredible attributes.

At the 2013 International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades in Las Vegas on July 9-12, Z-Man introduced two new ZinkerZ colors: Sprayed Grass and Bama Bug, which should catch the eyes of many Midwest finesse anglers and their quarries.

The Sprayed-Grass hue has a base color of green pumpkin, and it is highlighted with purple, green, and black flakes.

The Bama Bug is laminated, and the top half is the Junebug hue, and the bottom half is green-pumpkin. Both segments are bejeweled with many green flakes and a few black ones.

A package of six can be purchased for $5.49 at Z-Man's online store ( http://zmanfishing.com/store/categories/elaztech/zinkerz). A package can be purchased at other retailers for $3.99.