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Ned Rigging Success with the
Z-Man TRD Crawz (continued)
 I guess the bass liked it too, as I hooked up with a two-pounder on my
very first cast ever with this rig. That afternoon, I caught over 20 bass on the
same bait. It finally developed a tear on the top which didn't allow it to
position so well on the hook anymore, so I elected to save it for a jig trailer
and put on a fresh bait for my next trip. Regardless, 20+ bass on one tiny soft
plastic bait is pretty impressive!
The TRD CrawZ ElaZtech plastic is
incredibly elastic and durable
The other way I love
fishing this bait is as a jig trailer. Depending on the jig's hook size and
skirt length, the CrawZ can be fully threaded onto the hook for the most unified
look, but I simply snipped a bit off the end of the bait and hooked it onto my
jig like I would with a chunk. Attached to a football jig, I caught a mess of
fish up to over 4 pounds with that setup and never had to change the bait out.
The TRD CrawZ's realistic looking
claws are buoyant and the bait will float at rest on a Ned rig or as a trailer
on a jig in a natural defensive posture
The buoyancy of the craw was enough to stand any of my football jigs completely
upright, but a Strike King Baby Structure Jig wouldn't stand up in the same
fashion due to the different head style. Still, the CrawZ elevated itself up off
the bottom nicely in a strong defensive posture and looked great on that jig as
well.
The TRD CrawZ is a finesse
enthusiasts dream come true and can be fished with a variety of jigheads or used
as a trailer on small skirted jigs
Price and Applications: At $4.49 for a pack of 6, that's a great deal
considering how long these baits last, the excellent quality, and useful
packaging that's included. They are also versatile and (as mentioned) can be
used on a Ned Head or as a jig trailer, but they should also do well on a shaky
head, drop-shot, or even Carolina Rigged. The meatiest part of the body measures
only about 1 1/4 inches long, so it's best for smaller, short hooks.
Storing the TRD CrawZ in the
retail package is a good idea as the ElaZtech plastics will react with other
plastics
Ratings: (We've re-calibrated our ratings standard for 2008 and have included a key at the bottom of the following matrix as a guide)
|
Z-Man CrawZ Ratings
(?/10) |
| Construction/Quality |
Sturdy, quality baits that are very soft |
8 |
| Performance |
As advertised, these things are crazy durable
and look great underwater |
9 |
| Price |
A very accessible price for a uniquely
formulated plastic |
9 |
| Features |
Natural in appearance, but no built in scent.
The best part of this bait are the ultra durable and buoyant properties |
8 |
| Design
(Ergonomics) |
Some good colors to be had, and a larger size
would be a great addition in the future. Rigging can be a little more
difficult with how squishy the plastic is at times, but once bait is locked
on it stays on |
7.5 |
| Application |
Can be fished a variety of different ways and
that incredible durability means that this bait can be put in harms way and
fished for extended periods, assuming you don't lose it to a snag of course.
Like other ElaZtech plastics these baits must be kept separate from other
traditional plastics |
7 |
|
Total Score |
8/08 |
Ratings Key: 1 = terrible : 2 = poor : 3 = lacking : 4 = sub par : 5 = mediocre : 6 = fair : 7 = good : 8 = great : 9 = excellent : 10 = unbelievable!
For More
Details
of the
updated
rating
system
visit
our
explanation
here |
Pluses and Minuses:
|
Plus
Minus |
|
+
Crazy durability |
- ElaZtech doesn't mingle well with other
plastics |
|
+ Very attractive underwater |
- Just one size for now |
|
+
A
good amount of color choices |
- Squishier plastic can be tougher to
manipulate |
|
+
Affordable pricing |
|
The TRD CrawZ proved to be an
effective bait in a wide range of conditions and is so much more than just a
bait for Ned rigging
Conclusion:
Plastic craws are not
all created equal. The CrawZ is one of those baits that just "spoke" to me when
I first saw them, and after further research I knew I had to try some. I had
actually shied away from the Ned Rig somewhat, but now I'm a full on believer
and have broadened my personal Ned Rig jig head and bait collection since first
fishing the CrawZ. Talk about a confidence bait...this is it. Whether on the
back of a jig or on its own, the Z-Man CrawZ is absolutely going to be a part of
my arsenal from now on!
Looking for the ZMan CrawZ? Try
Tackle Warehouse
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