Z-man Elaztech material : I’m thinking about buying some of the z-man soft jerkbaits , the 7” length . Plan is to Texas rig them with no weight and work them over grass. I’ve never...

Chuck56 Loc: Texas

I’m thinking about buying some of the z-man soft jerkbaits , the 7” length . Plan is to Texas rig them with no weight and work them over grass. I’ve never used the z- man plastic , I just know I’m not supposed to mix it with other plastic baits . Anybody have any opinions on these baits ? Thanks in advance…..My 2cents…

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Chuck56 wrote:

I’m thinking about buying some of the z-man soft jerkbaits , the 7” length . Plan is to Texas rig them with no weight and work them over grass. I’ve never used the z- man plastic , I just know I’m not supposed to mix it with other plastic baits . Anybody have any opinions on these baits ? Thanks in advance…..My 2cents…

Chuck, I prefer the z man DieZel baits that have the slit in them to add Pro Cure scents. Can't say I have seen the 7" you mention but the 4" and 5" plastics hold up really well with using them after multiple catches.

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

Chuck56 wrote:

I’m thinking about buying some of the z-man soft jerkbaits , the 7” length . Plan is to Texas rig them with no weight and work them over grass. I’ve never used the z- man plastic , I just know I’m not supposed to mix it with other plastic baits . Anybody have any opinions on these baits ? Thanks in advance…..My 2cents…

Chuck, from my experience, elaztech baits float. Depending on the size of the bait, the hook used may allow them to slowly sink. I’m not familiar with 7” Z-man baits. They are bigger than I have used, but I believe that they will float as opposed to sink on a weightless rig.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

I have never tried the 7" elastech, but I have used the 4 and 5 inch fluke style in a unique and very successful way. I cast them along kelp beds in very calm water. I just retrieve them with split shot to keep them waking just under the surface. A fairly fast and occasional darting retrieve has produced a lot of silver salmon and a blast to fish. I use a 2000 spinning reel with 20 pound braid and 12 pound floro leader. Never pass up a jumper or boiling fish.
As far as comparison, I have used the elaztech paddle tail and the Keitech 3.3" Swing Impact Swimbait in a comparison test on smallmouth. The Keitech had much more action but had to be replaced often due to its softness. I do not know if that is a fair comparison for the 7 inch you are talking about. Let us now how the 7 inch bait works out.

orion72 Loc: Southern Maryland

Another option is the Bass Assasin 7” split tail shad. But I don’t blame you for wanting to try the Elaztech. They have a fairly large profile so you may want to try them on a 1/8 oz jig head rather than weightless. See which works best. As stated above the 5” flukes work great weightless. It’s more or less a soft jerk bait. We use them a lot over and through grass and bushes on Kerr Lake in NC.

Old Coach Loc: Corpus Christi Tx

Jer is correct, they will float. I learned that working them under a popping cork on the flats. So using a Texas or shorter leader Carolina rigs may get you what you need over grass beds. I’ll do the short slip rig down here too. I especially like their durability

Chuck56 Loc: Texas

plumbob wrote:

Chuck, I prefer the z man DieZel baits that have the slit in them to add Pro Cure scents. Can't say I have seen the 7" you mention but the 4" and 5" plastics hold up really well with using them after multiple catches.

Thank you .

Chuck56 Loc: Texas

bapabear wrote:

I have never tried the 7" elastech, but I hav... (show quote)

Thanks for the information

Chuck56 Loc: Texas

orion72 wrote:

Another option is the Bass Assasin 7” split tail shad. But I don’t blame you for wanting to try the Elaztech. They have a fairly large profile so you may want to try them on a 1/8 oz jig head rather than weightless. See which works best. As stated above the 5” flukes work great weightless. It’s more or less a soft jerk bait. We use them a lot over and through grass and bushes on Kerr Lake in NC.

Thanks. Appreciate the suggestion.

Chuck56 Loc: Texas

Old Coach wrote:

Jer is correct, they will float. I learned that working them under a popping cork on the flats. So using a Texas or shorter leader Carolina rigs may get you what you need over grass beds. I’ll do the short slip rig down here too. I especially like their durability

Thank you sir.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Chuck56 wrote:

Thank you .

You are welcome Chuck, best of luck to you keeping the line tight.