Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Junger · Feb-23-18 7:38AM

Anyone use these before? I just picked a couple packs up from Tacklewarehouse, I'm interested in the weedless feature, there's a lake near me that gets really weedy, the algae hair type which I've had a hard time fishing but I know has some big bass. Description says they will float with a thick wire hook, and I plan to use a 3/0 EWG rigged unweighted.

captmikestarrett · Feb-23-18 10:42AM

Yes I have and got lots of hits but the hookup ratio was very low. Something about the weight of the plastic and the hook not deploying well caused many a missed fish on the hookset.
I tried a different hook also but it still would only skin the mouth of a bass and the first jump sent it flying away.

Might work better with screw in beast hook. Need to try that.

Capt Mike

Junger · Feb-23-18 10:50AM

Sweet, definitely looking forward to using them then. I found these flipping hooks that I've heard do well as a EWG hook too. Not quite a beast hook, but maybe tied with a snell knot they'll work to get better penetration without impacting the intended action too much.

I'll probably bring these on my trip with you for LMB/SH Capt Mike!

Last edited by Junger (Feb-23-18 10:52AM)

Ernie · Feb-23-18 10:52AM

One of Paul Naj's favorite baits....I am sure he will chime in.

KevinJ · Feb-24-18 10:53AM

Ernie wrote:
One of Paul Naj's favorite baits....I am sure he will chime in.

I was just going to say the same thing...

Paul Naj · Feb-28-18 9:41PM

Love the Pop Shadz! I started fishing them this past year and caught a bunch of largemouth and smallmouth on them.

I like fishing bigger hooks in my plastics but that didn't work for these. When I went down to a 3/0 the bait had better action and I was able to still get a good hookup ratio. The best advise I can give you is to avoid all of your instincts with this bait. Don't set the hook on the first sight of the blow up (just like any topwater bait), but also don't set the hook as soon as the bait goes under or after a simple one count. When a fish explodes on the bait, give a little bit of slack and let the fish take it down. I promise you they will hold on to it. Once you you know the fish is swimming off, then hit hard.

These baits are damn near indestructible. I have caught fish after fish on the same bait in it holds it's shape and doesn't tear. The only gotcha is don't leave it out on the deck to dry or in a bent position, they will dry in a funny shape and not work as well next time.

Here's 3 that I got in 5 casts on the Bad Shad color back in September-

dave · Mar-04-18 5:33PM

I've tried those and the Z-Man toads. Here is my complaint. First they are on the light side (okay, that's two) but, the big problem for me has been skin hooking for complete (as possible) weedlessness. Elastech does NOT like to skin hook. It's nature pushes the hook out. Though it is for certain, practically indestructable.

Pacemaker Fishing Forum

#1 Feb-23-18 7:38AM

Soft Plastic Popper - Z-Man Pop Shadz

#2 Feb-23-18 10:42AM

Re: Soft Plastic Popper - Z-Man Pop Shadz

#3 Feb-23-18 10:50AM

Re: Soft Plastic Popper - Z-Man Pop Shadz

#4 Feb-23-18 10:52AM

Re: Soft Plastic Popper - Z-Man Pop Shadz

#5 Feb-24-18 10:53AM

Re: Soft Plastic Popper - Z-Man Pop Shadz

Ernie wrote:

#6 Feb-28-18 9:41PM

Re: Soft Plastic Popper - Z-Man Pop Shadz

#7 Mar-04-18 5:33PM

Re: Soft Plastic Popper - Z-Man Pop Shadz

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