RRocket

Deadfin Darter...have never actually seen one.

Where is the Zako tearing/failing?

I don't have much in the way to offer except I have used and can recommend the Decoy L11 Silicone Gripper. It's a knot protector. And I can also recommend the Zappu Chain Cushion for the same purpose. Have used both with great results.

Same here. If you're looking for another snap option, check out the Ryugi R Snap. Very small relative to the strength. The smallest is 41lbs and it's downright tiny!

No worries! Those #10 trebles feel like the most dangerous hooks ever. So small that should you hook yourself I bet all 3 sides will get you!

I fish this bait every, single day. One of my primary presentations. From this morning... Even the Rock Bass eat it...and it barely fits in their mouth! We were recently discussing poops baits here:

Karashi has #10 trebles....and by the chart you provided, it's still #6 inline...

What is the bait by Deps called?

This! Tons of fun to fish!

Yea, it's pretty fussy to changes.

I've been wondering the same. You'd need a size #6. As far as I know, only Owner Single Replacement series has a readily available #6. https://www.ownerhooks.com/product/single-replacement-hooks-x-strong/

I try to keep it simple. I use 2 trailers (generally). 1) An baitfish profile "action" trailer that gives great motion that is often very erratic. I favor the Spunk Shad for this. It's probably the Gold Standard for this type of trailer. 2) A bluegill profile that is more "lazy" than the action trailer. The Zako is really great but it's a pretty thick, substantial bait...and that can be the entire point for some people. But I wanted a bit less chunk and a bit more action. Perhaps a halfway house to the Spunk Shad. And for that I use the Gambler Komodo Jr. I really like it and feel it doesn't tax the 1/4oz bladed jigs like the Zako does. Thus far, finding a trailer for the Flashback Mini has been the most difficult. You absolutely must preserve the amazing rolling motion and this small lure is easy to over power with the trailer. You also want some sort of flash or good contrast to take advantage of the rolling. I like the OSP Mylar Minnow 2.5", but it's hard to get and the Mylar can be fussy when hooking it on. Currently, I'm using a modified Raid Little Sweeper with the Fish Skin texture. It looks really good in the water and gets bit! By everything. I'm still not satisfied with this trailer. The search continues. The Zero Dan Flash actually works with a paddle tail..unlike many bladed jigs. I now use this in lieu of an underspin much of the time. The Spunk Shad vibrates on this rig too.

Congrats on your success! They are fun to fish, eh? Don't be scared to fish this without a skirt! I use 2 variations without skirts that work very well!! I use the Decoy Zero Dan Flash..but usually change the weight for more weedless. And don't sleep on the tiny Flashback Mini. While it's a bladed jig, it essentially rolls/hover strolls with a simple retrieve. The fish crush this thing!!

I also like the Raid 2Way. Here's a test in my bathtub!

I dig the Dice and the Cue Bomb.

Can be rigged to backslide too...And it's quite good doing that.

Research has shown that bass will eat a crawfish with no claws before a crawfish with one or two claws. Hence the design.

Get out there and try that new bait! You'll see they're really fun to fish..and productive too! Please report back after some fishing.

Agreed. But there's also so much more. Since they are compact, you can cast them a mile. This is a big plus for shore fisherman. In the boat, I can cast to areas I might otherwise not be able to reach. These also skip far superior to a Senko. I can put on a skipping clinic using my spinning rod with these! In the included photo, I can skip the poop from where that gentleman is sitting near his boat all the way across the channel to the open boat slip and under the far wall of the dock. With accuracy. That opens up options. You can also walk the dog...near surface, underwater and in cover..like an underwater walking frog, I guess. There's even a specialized poop for this called the Spin Nuts, though the Cover Scat I favor does it just fine with some practice. And I think it's a different look..which may or may not be important to you depending on how pressured your water is. I stick to 3" or so sizes. I think they vibrate in the water differently. Partly due to size and partly due to their high density. In particular the "Mushi" versions with their many appendages. The HideUp Coike Shrimp (Top) and Issei Shizumi Mushi (2nd from Top) flat out vibrate, almost looking like the appendages are buzzing, such is the vibrating frequency speed. I still love the Deps Cover Scat (3rd from Top) and is my most thrown poop. This is where my love of these baits started. And the bottom? The Issei AK Punch is likely the most unique bait I've ever thrown. On the pull, it vibrates harder than ANY plastic I've ever used..and harder than some hardbaits!! Then when it falls, it backslide harder and farther than ANY plastic. It backsides so hard, the line looks just like a fish has taken the bait and is swimming away! I had to re program my brain a bit when fishing this one. When crawling on the bottom, I can just feel everything as the large surface area of the "sack" just seems to transmit everything to my rod. Please look at some underwater videos to fully grasp how unique this bait is. So yea...I love this type of bait and technique. And yes, this is viewed as a technique itself rather than just a bait selection by those in Japan. I tend to agree. There's no real name for it but I have heard it referred to as "HDD" for High Density Dragging.

Indeed. You (somewhat) fish this the opposite of "normal" tackle. With "normal" tackle, you're setting the hook when you feel "something" (a bite). With the bladed jig, you set the hook when you feel "nothing" (blade not moving). Also..no need to swing for the fences with the hook set. The same motion for freeing the lure from grass is usually sufficient to set the hook.

I too favor Chatterbaits though I much prefer the smaller 1/4oz size. These are really fun to fish and get bit! Vary your retrieve, change speeds, add in pop and twitches, etc...or just slow roll it. You can also yo-yo it or even fish it just like a jig. Once you feel the blade stop, you're either 1) in grass 2) have a fish. So just give it a firm pop to either shed the grass or set the hook. A preferred trailer is the Spunk Shad.

I am an "expert" poop fisherman..it's one of my primary techniques. It's quite simple to fish. This is typically fished weightless. -Put an EWG hook in. (Though the smaller size also works well used as a Ned bait too! ) -Cast along edges and in weeds, cover, docks, etc -Allow to sink to bottom. Wait 3-10 seconds. -Give it two firm, swift jerks to get it off the bottom. -Let it sink back to bottom and repeat the process.

Pike on Neko

I generally try to make my shrink wrap about the size of the egg sack on the worm.

The reaction is exothermic so don't get the baking soda/glue mixture on your fingers..you could be burned.