Just saw the new BioSpawn ExoPod and the Zman Goat series. The ExoPod in particular looks a lot like the Menace, 3.5" instead of 4". It just seems strange that all of a sudden a couple of look alike baits show up. 

greatest form of flattery when another uses the same bait design

Doesn’t surprise me at all. 
They are one of the best jig trailers made. 
 

 

Mike

Really more of a surprise it's taken this long. The Menace has been wildly popular, so much so that SK has introduced the baby and magnum to capitalize on it's popularity.

The 3 Z-man Sizes all look great. They will probably be cheaper, and Definitely more durable than the SK.

+1 for sure ... A number of SK soft plastics offerings are becoming high priced and and with the "new normal" setting in - economically SK needs to re-assess their price structure if they want to continue to appeal to the enthusiast bass  angler for soft plastics  . Big Bite Baits , Chompers , Eco Pro , Yum , Z-Man , Zoom , etc. are more competitively priced for comparable products .

For sure the 6.99 price the new baits are coming in it, that is just crazy. On my recent trip the arsenal assault bug outproduced the menace by a wide margin. Similar tail action, but slightly wider body on the bug. It also lasted a lot longer on average.

 

The Zman stuff doesn't interest me because of the potential plastic interaction, but time will tell if others say it is great I may give it a go. I did just read it is going to be offered in a 6, 4, or 3 pack depending on size for 4.99. Where I fish these most, I lose more to snags than the plastic being destroyed so they may not be the greatest deal in the world for me. 5$ for 4 3.75" baits is a little steep too.

No surprise. The RT Menace flat out works. Companies have to find a way to get in on that success.

 

 

Heck, even after they chew off the tails Bass still bite them.

 

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I am a fan of SK soft plastics but at $5.99+ per bag now my enthusiasm wanes ... If you don't care for Z-Man soft plastics (I certainly understand) - then take a look at Big Bite Baits , Yum & Zoom as examples of good quality traditional soft plastics at a more reasonable price ... 

The Arsenal is a winner too and a pretty good value for how long they last. Two baits had over 20 fish on them, and one I snapped off on a reed with like 15 fish on it. I also stocked up last year on the TW black friday sale on the menace so I am doing alright so far. The reaction innovations version is pretty good, but their colors aren't the best for clear water. There is an independent that pours a similar bait, I may need to try that as well and they also offer colors like smoke purple and smoke red which I have wanted in the menace for years. 

 

The biospawn version will be interesting at 3.5", only thing I didn't like was their plastic didn't rig well with a slider head. The plastic is slick or something and the hook point always slides up becoming exposed to weeds. I haven't seen this behavior before with other brands of plastics, where I may have to readjust how the bait is positioned once every 10 casts.

I refer to all Rage baits as "Rage turds" after their appendages get chewed off ?. Fish certainly will still bite them though.

Zoom fat Albert after the tail gets bitten off is a Great bait for ned head 

Has anyone tried the GOAT, yet? 

 

Wondering what it would look like on a buzzbait, and whether the Goat (3.75") or Billy Goat (4.25") would be a better fit?

The Rage Tail patented flange sets them apart from the competition. 

Secondly is Big O's desire to provide his customers with baits delivered

exactly as designed. His proprietary plastic formula and bubble packaging

is special.  Custom design, attention to detail and a broad selection of

colors are all HUGE attributes.  I think you would be surprised by the

number of touring pros that contribute to design and testing.

 

Good to know.  I recall you've been touting a "Slider Menace" rig for awhile....which slider heads do you use?

 

Mostly the pro slider heads with the heavier hook. The ones with the larger 3/0 hook. I do use the light wire 2/0 hooked spider head for baits like the small yum crawbug and the baby menace. 

I tried the baby on a Ned rig. Takes a heavier head to activate the tails. I think the Billy Goat would be the bait you'd want for what you're trying to do. Would be like a finesse buzz toad more than a buzzbait.

They have a mold out for them now and everyone on face book is making them 

What do you mean by this?

Rage Tail have a little ridge on that outline of appendages that gives them special

action. This featured is patented and can only be used by others with permission

and for a fee.

I wish more companies would use the plastic bubble packaging. It may cost me an extra 50 cents to buy but I’m so tired of buying bagged baits with appendages or tails stuck sideways. They never seem to run right. I bought a pack of Missle Ned Bombs several weeks ago and only 3 in the whole pack had straight tails. 

Put a mug of water in the nuke for 1 minute, and dip the bent bait in it for about the same time.  That usually fixes them.

^^^yep!^^^placing bent plastics in hot water for a while works, most of the time

I thought the same.  Seems that makers have found a way around it....or skirting the law....or made as little a difference that they can get away with.   Seeing more and more 'flanges' lately 

Did not know that.  I think I'll stick with the Rage Tails instead of the knock offs.