Pros and Cons of the Z-Man ElaZtech PaddlerZ. Could it be the best long lasting bait?

[@ChiefToad]

The reason for the difference in packaging is the age of the product. The paddlerz were one of the original releases in their line up of elaztech, and just like everything else they made, the baits were just dropped in and shipped. They didn't start including trays for certain baits until much later. Years actually. Another cool thing about them is that the elaztech is really good at absorbing oil based scents like pro-cure. If you wanted to get a bit more production out of them just goop some into the cavity and or all over that body before storing in the package.

[@United_By_Water]

Interesting, I actually reached out to Capt CA Richardson about the tray vs no tray and he had mentioned the reason the paddlerz are tray less is because they have Pro-Cure on them. Great tip about the Pro-Cure, never thought of that. I'm not sure how I found Zman but the durability is unmatched in my opinion.

[@ChiefToad]

@@United_By_Water I was hooked on the elaztech/zman after I used those paddlerz for awhile. Great material. The floating properties are also really cool.

[@Justin-vg7ij]

Agree completely. I love the paddlerz and diezel minnowz but generally stick with the diezels purely based on the packaging. I think it's because they are scented that they don't use the clamshell. They need to release an unscented version - I like putting the pro-cure on myself after rigging anyways, less mess. Texas eye jigs work great too.

[@United_By_Water]

You're 100% right. I wish they would release an unscented version so they could but them in the plastic package.

[@scottcamp7423]

I love the paddlerz. I have such a problem with them as well. I hang them upside down with a hook in my garage when I notice they are taking on a new form. It has been working good.

[@United_By_Water]

I actually stopped buying the paddlerz and replaced them with the diezel minnowz. The reason being, the minnowz come with a plastic package to keep the baits from getting deformed and I can add scent to them when needed. I did put this video together a while back, you might want to check it out, hope it helps. bitly.ws/VXsp

[@daffamaulana6794]

Which one do you prefer, the 3 inch minnowz or the 4 inch diezel minnowz. Thank you.

[@United_By_Water]

Like the 4" DieZel MinnowZ personally. Came up with a small modification to make them better. I found that the hook was always getting caught on the dorsal fin after a strike, pulling it through thick grass or lily pads. Hopefully will get that vid up in the next day or two.

[@4492573]

What was the weight of that 4/0 hook ? 1/16 - 1/8 - 3/16 ? Thank you

[@United_By_Water]

1/8 oz, hope that helps.

[@msquared9605]

Boil a pot of water and dip the tails in for about 30 seconds then lay them flat to straighten the tails. I haven’t tried this on elaztech but I know it works for plastisol baits

[@United_By_Water]

I did try it. My bait was in bad shape before I dipped it, the tail ended up coming off in the boil. I have heard mixed results from people, some say it works, others say the opposite.

[@anthonyalessi785]

Yep loved the diezel minnows so much I bought in bulk and filled my bag up. Now they are all ruined and distorted. Wasted money and time. Wnt back to DOA... never let me down

[@United_By_Water]

I have had that happen with the paddlerz, if they sit to long they start to crack and get really distorted. Surprised to hear the diezel's went bad. I haven't had that happen.

[@emeraldisle70]

With one zman Paddlerz I caught 9 fish....mostly trout but a few lizard fish. By far the most durable bait I’ve used. Berkley Gulp would not have lasted that long. The tail would have been bitten off long ago.

[@United_By_Water]

They do work well. My biggest enemy as of lately seem to be puffers, snapper and needle fish. If you're trying to fish with small live bait....it will be toast in seconds around that group.

[@walteroquinn757]

Don't worry about that little stuff if you can see the bait working the fish can to

[@United_By_Water]

True!

[@nicstr28]

I still catch way more on doa's and they arent a NIGHTMARE to rig.

[@United_By_Water]

The Mustad grip pins are super easy to rig paddlerz and the dieZel minnowz. DOA's won't last against puffers, cudas and snapper. Wasn't a big fan of the action with the DOA shrimp, the tail seemed a little "lifeless" for my personal taste. Think It would be really cool if Mark came up with an articulated tail for his shrimp. I do like the other baits in his lineup!

[@jedediahbriggs3520]

DOA'S are just a nightmare to fish with. Every other cast during a hot bite, they come back with out a tail. And they are toast after one decent fish. One single minnowZ will outlast a couple packs of DOA paddle tails, easy. I can't honestly knock the DOA shrimp though. I love those things lol. If you have the right hooks and jigheads, Zman's are a breeze to rig and fish with. One single minnowz will outlast a couple of packs of DOA paddle tails easy.

[@United_By_Water]

@@jedediahbriggs3520 Amen and well said!

[@Hardballleather]

You could try boiling them to straighten them out

[@United_By_Water]

Yeah, I heard that. I haven't tried but if it works that would be awesome and thanks for the heads up!

[@saltwatercowboy8757]

Tried it, don't work

[@United_By_Water]

@@saltwatercowboy8757 dang, I was hoping it would, still haven't tried it yet.

[@jedediahbriggs3520]

Lay them out in the sun for a little bit. That brings the shape back most of the time for me.

[@fishingjob2648]

Killer for Barra n mj

[@tphvictims5101]

They’re overpriced as well. And if you have to cast any distance, forget it.

[@United_By_Water]

For what you pay for them and how long they outlast any other soft plastic in my tackle box, I'm ok with the price tag. I find I can cast the 5" Paddlerz with a 5/0 1/4oz grip pin hook a "country mile" personally. You get the right # line and have your reel spooled correctly, I can get some serious distance - IMHO.

[@jimking2299]

I bought a bag of 4" Paddlerz 3 years ago and have caught dozens of fish, a lot of them toothy pike and walleye, all on the same single bait. The rest are still in the bag,. They are not overpriced.