Lure-Review

Z-MAN Pop Shadz Lures Review: This bait has a tendency to want to walk around on the hook. The trick to rigging this bait is to use a toothpick through the eye of the hook to hold it in place. This eliminates the bait moving around and causing headaches and anger.

Z-MAN Pop Shadz Lures is the latest in weedless topwaters.

Once the issue of the bait sliding down is resolved it will produce some nice fish for you. The weedless design makes it easy to throw it in areas you might be hesitant to throw a popper type bait with dangling treble hooks catching everything but bass. The Z-Man elastic design is tough and floats well. Very durable for sure. The light weight however can cause headaches casting into the wind on casting gear. The new Shimano Curado DC and its digital micro controller for the spool speed definitely helps out on backlashes for that situation.

The Alabama Rig This has been the rage for the last few months and has won a lion’s share of the biggest tournaments on the FLW trail.

AKA: Umbrella Rig

All sorts of shapes and sizes of this combination are coming into play.  Saltwater guys will recognize this as a traditional umbrella rig that has been downsized for the black bass species. 

Multiple baits create a small school of prey that appear to be wounded or 1 big easy meal!  

Underspin. Here’s a better look. Turns out I was ahead of the curve on this one.

Casey Ashley won the Bassmaster Classic on a very similar bait.