So I've been experimenting with my chatterbait trailers and the 2 most common types seem to be these two.  They are quite similar in shape and size but the zman seems to be a little more durable - plus its also costs less.  Anyone use both and care to comment on which on you prefer and why?  Thanks

After using these for a bit on and off this spring...the zako is superior.  The elasticity of the Razor Shadz makes the feedback to the rod less than stellar imo.  I have nothing scientific or performance based but I have not liked the way it feels.  

 

This is all based off using jackhammers.

Chatterbait trailer: razor shadz vs zako

  Before I ever bought a Zako and while I was still in the earliest stages of my own Vibrating Jig R & D,

I was hanging the Razor Shaz on many of the vibrating jigs I threw. 

I caught some bass with them.

 As for durability ~ Like most anything formed out of the ElaZtech material, these things are virtually indestructible.

Without any extra effort, I bet I could get 1/2 a season out of just 1 trailer. 

Additionally these baits Float, so I think that has some 'effect' on how the bait as a whole performs, not exactly sure how though.  And if I was a so inclined to need to skip a V-Jig, something I do not do a whole lot of, I'd reach for the Razor Shadz as my trailer every time. 

 Fast forward to this past & current season; I am a stout Zako disciple.

Whatever it is about this trailer, the profile, the secret Yamamoto magic somehow injected deep with in the bait, whatever - these things have been lights out. 

Clearly doesn't last any where near as long as the ElaZtech material - but one Zako can and often does last through several bass for me. 

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

A-Jay

If you run into a lot of pike, the razor shadz could be worth it.  The downside is you have to be careful when you store them and dont put them in a box with regular plastics.

I use both. Maybe the Zako a little more often than the Razor Shads.

 

But my favorite bladed jig trailer has become the Z-Man DieZel Minnowz (4").

I use neither. The Hog Farmer Spunk Shad absolutely dances.

I've only ever used the Razor Shadz and they seem to do the trick, I think I've had one on a single chatterbait for months. 

I have used the razor shadz and while they have done ok for me I'm not super impressed. I've never tried a zako but have used pit bosses, paddletails, split tail spinner bait trailers,grubs and a few others..my favorite to date is just a plain 4inch fluke. Cheap,fairly durable and enough color options to keep me happy

Razor Shad is decent. I don't like how difficult it is to thread elaztech up the shank of a 5/0 hook. 

 

Zako and I-motion shad are my go-to's

I only use Elaztech trailers now, mostly the Diezel.  I wasted way too much money on other trailers for how often I throw a chatterbait.

I use almost nothing but the Zako now. It just seems to have the perfect shimmy to it. I get more fish with that as a trailer than with any other trailer I have tried. 

20 hours ago, BigBassBo said:

I use neither. The Hog Farmer Spunk Shad absolutely dances.

 I use that too along with the Zako and the Strike King Blade minnow. 

On 5/11/2020 at 7:24 PM, DitchPanda said:

I have used the razor shadz and while they have done ok for me I'm not super impressed. I've never tried a zako but have used pit bosses, paddletails, split tail spinner bait trailers,grubs and a few others..my favorite to date is just a plain 4inch fluke. Cheap,fairly durable and enough color options to keep me happy

I was thinking about using flukes on a chatterbait yesterday and didn’t have any! Im going to have to grab a couple of packs and try it out.

A green pumpkin or bluegill bladed jig with a black blade and a sungill fluke on the back looks good to me...and the bass around my neck of the woods!

I have been using the Razor Shads, Zako, and Blade minnow more or less interchangeably for the last year. The problem with the Razor Shad is the elaztech makes it difficult to thread on a standard keeper, as mentioned above. It' works best on a wire keeper like the jackhammer has...although most people using the Jackhammer prefer the Zako, and Brett Hite designed them both, so presumably they work especially well together.  

 

I haven't otherwise noticed a difference in effectiveness...I expect going forward I'll probably just be buying whichever one is on sale at the moment...

I use a fluke. It moves great, and lets the chatterbait hunt really well. I have great catch rates with it.

No one else uses a fluke?

1 hour ago, waymont said:

I use a fluke. It moves great, and lets the chatterbait hunt really well. I have great catch rates with it.

No one else uses a fluke?

I had an awesome day last spring with a white fluke on a jackhammer.

I still haven't stop using the Lake Fork Magic swimmers, kind of same bait with fantastic action as a trailer or stand alone bait. Not sure why that bait is not more popular, maybe cause its harder to find unless ordering online.