Casting: With the compact nature of this bait, it casts pretty well despite the bulk at the tail. The overall package is a bit trimmer than say, a full size Sweet Beaver, so it won't have quite the wind resistance of a bulkier offering. Trying to cast in a decent crosswind means you obviously have to compensate a bit, but it's definitely not anything out of the ordinary. Something to consider, is that most anglers likely won't be casting this bait anyway! It can certainly be thrown on a variety of rigs, but it really shines during flipping, pitching, and punching applications, which of course do not require a standard casting motion. In these scenarios, the bait is easily slipped into small holes and pockets with minimum drama. Regular Brush Hogs can sometimes hang on or wrap around cover when trying to probe into small openings, but since the Super Hog lacks those long, limber, sticky legs, it gets right in there much easier without grabbing onto things.

The Super Hog makes a great jig trailer! I prefer to cut about 1/2” off the head before sliding the bait onto the jig hook.

Retrieving: Due to the compact design of the Super Hog, it crawls through cover and structure easily. I not only fished the bait in cover, but also utilized it on open banks and around rip rap. It fished exactly as I expected it to, with no abnormal characteristics noted. In open water, simply fish it like you would a jig. Dragging, hopping, and shaking this bait all work very well depending on the mood of the fish.

Upon the retrieve, the tail produces a nice amount of action. I personally don't know why anyone wouldn't split the tail on these baits, and I always did just that. To be honest, splitting the tail doesn't increase the action a ton, but the separation does make for a bit more attraction. When pulled or shaken, the pincers and especially the side flaps undulate nicely giving off a very lifelike appearance independent of each other. For even a slight bit more appeal, the arms of the bait can be cut where the bottom portion rejoins the main body.

The arms of the Super Hog act as little stabilizers, helping the bait to not roll over completely on it's side while at rest. The arms can also be separated at the bottom joint (as shown) for a hint more action.

Durability: The durability of these baits was satisfying. I've always been happy with the robust nature of the Zoom baits I've fished, and these are no different. You certainly can't expect a soft plastic with any kind of a lifelike feel or action to be durable all day long, but these usually last long enough so that you feel like you're getting your money's worth out of each bait. The plastic is a nice firmness that remains durable while still retaining a natural feel and action. When weedless rigging, skin hooking the hook point is easy and it actually stays buried quite well.

Out of 3 packs, 2 baits had small imperfections.

Price & Applications: A pack of 10 Super Hogs will set you back a very affordable $3.99. This is a great price for a productive, good quality bait. With so many plastics costing over $5.00 a bag (for less baits) these days, it's refreshing that these remain wallet-friendly.

As for applications, the Zoom Super Hog has some nice versatility. You can Carolina rig it, Texas rig it, use it as a jig trailer, or heck, even drop shot it. There are also some more uncommon variations, like fishing it weightless, or even inserting a nail weight into the body for ultra shallow water or bed fishing situations.

This solid fish fell victim to the Super Hog crawling through rip rap

Conclusion: Just like the original Brush Hog, the Super Hog as a whole is quite an appealing bait. Optimized for flipping, pitching, and punching applications around cover, it's compact design allows it to be fished easily in tight spots. This bait provides the necessary action with a good amount of bulk, which in turn keeps it a bit more appealing to larger fish.  Though the design is quite simple compared to others on the market, sometimes simplicity catches the most fish. Looking at some of the crazy designs that are available out there, it makes me scratch my head and wonder if they are created to fool more consumers than fish! Despite the vast selection of creature baits that are currently available, the good ole Brush Hog, and now the Super Hog, are 2 baits I will always have filling a void in my worm binder.

Looking for the Zoom Super Hog? Try Tackle Warehouse