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Lure Review

 

Z-Man & Evergreen International's Jack Hammer Stealth (continued)

 

For reels, I had my cranking speed Shimano Conquest 51 matched up with the Daiko to faster reels like my Kistler Series 1 (7.4:1) and Alphas SV TW 800 (8.1:1) matched with my Reinforcer and Helium respectively. While the Stealth performed fine with all these combos, I kind of liked it best with the slower, Conquest 51 because I felt I could keep the bait in the strike zone just a hair longer than with the faster reels.


The Stealth's skirt is fastened to the head via a thin gauge wire

Either way from the first few cranks of the handle on your reel, you can tell right away the Stealth is a far more subtle bait than its metal bladed sibling. On just about any setup, you can literally feel the riotous noise of the Jack Hammer while the Stealth has more of an easy listening, smooth operator vibe. This is especially true if you're using nylon monofilament as your fishing line and to a lesser extent fluorocarbon. Braid certainly gives you the best feel for this bait, but that's kind of counter-intuitive for the more finesse tuned nature of this bait.


A close-up of the attachment loop for the blade

Another adjustment to consider in your presentation with the Stealth is your choice in trailer. Normally, when fishing the standard Jack Hammer, I'm using something like Reaction Innovation's Spicy Beaver, Keitech's Swing Impact FAT, or Strike King's Rage Swimmer. I started out with these same options on the Stealth, but eventually settled on a more smooth bodied paddletail swimbait in Megabass's HazeDong. It's a less chaotic bait but with just as much, if not more tail wagging action and a really good match with the Jack Hammer Stealth.


All points of attachment are reinforced by a figure 8 metal washer

Design & Ergonomics: Where the original collaboration between Z-Man and Evergreen International is available in roughly eighteen different hues, the Stealth is again, more reserved being offered in only seven different color combinations. Moreover, some colors in the Jack Hammer are offered in sizes up to one and a quarter ounce (1 1/4oz) while the Stealth in all color combinations is limited to the two previously mentioned sizes - at least for now.


A more slim profile bait felt best with a more slim profile trailer like Megabass's Haze Dong

Price & Applications: Retail price on Z-Man and Evergreen International's Jack Hammer Stealth Blade Chatterbait is $15.99, so it's essentially the same price as the original. However, make no mistake about it, these are different baits. Those expecting the Stealth to have the same action as the original will be disappointed. This is a much more subtle bait intended for situations where the bass are being much more selective (e.g. clear water, high fishing pressure situations).


Retail price on Z-Man and Evergreen International's Jack Hammer Stealth Blade Chatterbait is $15.99

Ratings

Z-Man & Evergreen Jack Hammer Stealth Blade Ratings (?/10)

Construction/Quality As finely crafted as the original 9
Performance A much more subtle vibration than the original, but effective when the fish are less active 8
Price Different version, same price point 6
Features Clear blade for a more finesse presentation, hand tied skirt, fluorine coated hook by Decoy 8
Design (Ergonomics) Available in 2 sizes and a more modest 7 colors 8
Application A good search tool when the bite is tougher - especially in clear water 8

Total Score

7.83
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
+ A vibrating jig option for where the water is clear and/or fishing pressure is high - Not as many size or color options - yet
+ Hand tied skirt  
+ Very sharp hook  

  


When the weeds are thick and the fish more active, I'll still rely on the original, but in clear water situations and when the water is colder, and the fish less active, the Stealth has my confidence

 

Conclusion: I've little doubt many anglers are going to purchase this bait expecting the same riotous action as the original Jack Hammer only with a clear blade. That is not what this bait is about. Instead, it's really a less flashy, more subtle vibrating jig option put together in the same, detailed manner as the original. I had success fishing it on eight pound test fluorocarbon and medium heavy to light powered rods with both slow and fast retrieve reels. When the weeds are thick and the fish more active, I'll still rely on the original, but in clear water situations and when the water is colder, and the fish less active, the Stealth has my confidence.

 

Looking for Z-Man & Evergreen Jack Hammer Stealth baits?

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