ZMAN LARVAZ -- First Test

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[@SteveHannula]

I tried this Larvaz motor oil color yesterday for the first time with a 1/20 z-man mushroom jig and was quite impressed, I caught a 1 lb bluegill and quite a few smaller ones, I was real surprised when I caught a 5 lb 23 inch channel catfish, 5 & 1/2 ft UL with 4 lb line. The material is very durable and seems to have very lifelike action!

[@dennisstewart7849]

I love your skepticism, and ZMan comes through for you again. Now try it with a heavier jig head and see if the faster fall, affects the bite rate.

[@ifishcatfish]

got the heavier jig heads already!

[@tonymcbroom5252]

I could listen to you talk about insurance! Loved the content today and I cannot wait to try trimming one of those baits up and getting it wet! Looking forward to future videos, hope this finds you well sir.

[@davidung4054]

Great fishing. For someone that enjoys fishing as much as you and know what types of lures you like, you should create your own. I would buy and support you.

[@midwestfischerman]

The Horse Fly from Mule Fishing Supply Co. may have the smaller profile you want with the Elaztech durability you would get from Z-Man. The Horse Fly is a fairly new soft plastic from this Michigan company.

[@Evenaardez]

I actually really like the donkey tail Jr

[@ifishcatfish]

i know.. there is so many these days, everybody is selling plastics out of their garage, or drop shipping chinese stuff. I haven't seen anything that I like as much as Cultiva micro worm or Nikko worm. One day I will just make my own and make it with the size I want and the profile I want.

[@markotammjarv1112]

Hi, it is me again. Maybe you have covered in previous videos and I just have not seen it. So i have aquestion. To me it seems that you are using a mono or fluoro .... why not a some some small diameter braid? Would give more sensitivity on small baits and strength of line. Leader could be used if you feel that braid is too visible. I sometimes use thicker fluoro leader to get that tad slower decent but 99% of all fishing I do with braid (just sometimes with fluoro leader).

[@ifishcatfish]

braid has great performance and can be used in these situations very effectively. I just hate the FEEL of braid when i fight the fish. It feels so harsh and JERKY, I hate the feel of it, but it has nothing to do with performance. I would use braid if they made braid that has a little stretch. By the way, these polyester lines from varivas I use are every bit as sensitive as braid, they are just not nearly as strong. But feeling a fish on the fall is much easier with polyester because it transmits vibration even with slack line, and braid needs tight line to transmit vibration.

[@panfishin-fool8057]

Hey Vic do you ever open the gap of them hook ok the BG-1. Wondering because I've been missing a few fish on the last few days. Just curious but I'm still gonna test the theory

[@ifishcatfish]

no, i don't. Don't do that. This hooks is high carbon steel and is designed to be very rigid. You will snap the hook. The shape is perfect. At this time of year you start to have these 3-4 inch bluegill and longear sunfish and pumpkinseed and whatnot... Even i get nips sometimes. In the spring its mostly big fish in the shallows but in the summer u get clouds of baby fish. Don't tamper with the hook, u will break it and still not catch those anoying things.. What bait do u use? If u use longer baits, switch to trout magnet or something short..

[@shawneldridge4465]

Since this is small enough for crappies right, then I should have no problems catching trout with these either. Such a great video and fantastic fish catching too. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@ifishcatfish]

Oh yeah.. trout will much on this ..

[@shawneldridge4465]

@@ifishcatfish Thank you for the information, I definitely got to buy them.

[@davidrauschenbach6871]

Some nice size crappie! Thanks for for showing us how you modified the bait for crappie and BG’s

[@ifishcatfish]

You bet

[@myth-hc9df]

victor, varivas is having a 35 percent off sale until tommorrow. what lines would you suggest getting? i have es2 in lemon, and 1 spool of the orange polymer line as well. what mono or florucarbon would you suggest and would you suggest the shock leader line as well? i want to buy probably around 10 spools or so, what is your suggestions?

[@ifishcatfish]

hey, u can use my code 'i_fish' for another 10 % on top! U get 45% off total, and that is SERIOUS discount. I don't make anything from this, just saying. As for line, i apologize but i don't remember the names of these lines. However I didn't like the ES2 when i tried it. I would rather get two spools of the orange color, and two spools of the SAME LINE but in clear color. They have it in beautiful pink color as well - if you have a vanford reel it looks very nice on it, i have it in some video. I never tried any of their shock leaders but I am nevertheless sure they are amazing. That said, i think shock leaders are a waste of money. I fished clear fluorocarbon all my life and worked fine. Why waste money on those expensive shock leaders. But if you enjoy trying new things - go for it. I recommend getting a couple of their fluorocarbons and a couple of their nylons too. I forgot the name of it, but the one I use on my floats is amazing. Its not what u think. These nylons have very little stretch and for playing the fish, i like them the most. For sensitivity i like the polyesters, but for playing the fish i do enjoy just a little stretch, to make things smooth. I have some video where i talk about their lines, not that long ago..

[@myth-hc9df]

@@ifishcatfish will use your code as well, thanks very much. since its a big discount, this is why i want to order alot. thanks alot for the quick reply, and i enjoy watching your vids each time a new one comes out.

[@jasonyang5296]

Hey quick question! When you cast do you let it sink all the way to the bottom and slowly jig near the bottom? Are you not afraid of snags? Or do you know the area well enough to finesse around them.

[@ifishcatfish]

i know what u mean. When i fish from the bank i run it a little higher off the bottom to avoid snags. But even from the bank I usually wait until I FEEL it touched the bottom. Only on the drop I feel the bottom and then i run it a little higher. But it helps to feel the initial touch, because sometimes u think you are close to bottom but you are NOT. If u keep the line tight, lures sink super slow. With the boat its much easier because there is almost no risk. First of all, with livescope i can see if there are snags and i can avoid them. Second of all, even when you snag, you can go on the other side and yank from the other side and pull it out most times. U can't do that from the bank. So from the boat i run it closer to the bottom, if i can. When u fish 20 feet deep, its just hard to keep it close to the bottom without dropshot

[@jasonyang5296]

@@ifishcatfish ohh I see, this is very useful thank you.

[@Dariuslynel]

Perhaps you should have tried it untrimmed first to get a better sense of whether it is more effectiveness or not trimming it. I understand you’re all about aesthetics etc but in my opinion is not a fair review if you haven’t tried it in it’s original form.

[@ifishcatfish]

i won't fish it if its ugly. Some of the other ones profiles that you saw in the unboxing I already gave away to the subscriber who posted the first comment in the last video. I don't care if u can catch a fish with it. There is no shortage of crappie lures on the market - i'm not using something i dont like. If you are personally interested if the full profile works - im sure there will be plenty of videos on youtube and nobody else will trim them.

[@Dariuslynel]

@@ifishcatfish I see that. But I don’t think the fish care about whether the lure is ugly or not. Lol

[@ifishcatfish]

@@Dariuslynel but they care about the profile. As a matter of fact, this is THE ONLY THING they care about. If it's thin and easy to swallow and its moving - they will eat it! It doesn't have to be realistic and resemble and actual insect. It doesn't have to be a particular color! It has to be easy to eat.

[@Dariuslynel]

@@ifishcatfish I understand that in theory they do. However, all I am saying is that we wouldn’t really know whether the changes you’ve made to adjust the profile is makes the lure more effective if you’ve never tried it with the original profile - scientifically speaking. Nevertheless I do enjoy your videos and have learned a few things. Enjoy your weekend.

[@cosminantonie6221]

Trimming and adaptation of lures is always effective,I will do the same,cheers and tight lines!

[@robertmantell1700]

I hang these on VMC Tung Mongo glow jigheads and they get bluegill and small bass all day lake fishing here in NC. Well, in the AM's since it's so freakin hot here in the summer lol.....

[@ifishcatfish]

i recommend JUST TRYING the BG-1 jig heads for these. Get just 2 packs. U've never seen anything like that

[@allenr6687]

What rod are you using sir?

[@ifishcatfish]

i just reviewed it. Search my channel for 'PRESSO AIR AGS'

[@hookalounge]

Have you tried the zman micro finesse shroom head jig heads? They have 1/30oz, 1/20oz, 1/15oz, etc. I was wondering which one would be best for their plastics, they seem to fit nicely with their micro trd and micro ticklers.

[@ifishcatfish]

no, i have not, because the hooks looked a little thick to me. Also the look too big for these lures. But i haven't seen them, i'm judging by the image, and that can be misleading. You should buy them and send me some. : )

[@panfishin-fool8057]

The bobby garland 1/48th oz jighead fits perfectly on the zman larvaz. I just put a few together for tomorrow and I cant wait to see the results. I think the fall rate should be perfect using hi-vis line watching for any slight movement. Thanks for sharing Vic🎣

[@stillwater62]

First, your bait is more natural falling slowly. Secondly, buy a stainless-steel hook disgorger. I have several, and never go Bluegill fishing without one. Makes unhooking a breeze without hurting the fish. Thirdly, crush the barb on your hook.

[@ifishcatfish]

Teach me more! I want to learn!

[@argos4167]

And don't use handcloves, it damage the fish!

[@AlinJapan]

Sounds like the slow fall rate works well on this day!

[@ifishcatfish]

we made it work.. but it took some patience

[@scottshepley7619]

What kind of chance did you give the bait when you butchered it before trying it

[@ifishcatfish]

None! It was unbearably ugly!

[@tedgaddy7398]

So can you use it as it comes out of tge package so we will know how it works without trimming

[@ifishcatfish]

i'm sure it will still work, even without trying. Especially for CRAPPIE, that size is no problem. But when u go to smaller and smaller bluegill, eventually the fish becomes concerned if it can swallow it or it will choke. Length is not a problem, so long as it is cylindrical. Eventually some fish will avoid it because the head is so enormous. It would be impossible to prove at which size exactly do the fish become concerned with the size of this lure, but I think there i a reason fish so readily eat trout magnet, even though it has no action - its just the perfect profile.

[@Twcoleman1]

Which reel and line are you using this trip?

[@ifishcatfish]

presso with Varivas polyester. Not that u need that line or that reel..

[@TheRedWook]

What jig head are you using here?

[@ifishcatfish]

That an old daiwa gekkabijin jog head, discontinued. But any 1 gram lead head will be fine. Or 1.5 gram

[@mikehurtle]

Fish it Drop-shot style so you can use A heavier weight so you can fish a little faster because I can see waiting for that thing to get to the bottom is driving you nuts and it certainly would for me too, so until you get your new heads I would drop shot it. But you have to admit these new bug imitations that these companies are making now look amazing. I can’t wait for the spring Steelhead run here on the St Joe River in Northern Indiana, southern Michigan and drift these bugs, I really think these will hammer the Steelhead.

[@ifishcatfish]

can u catch the bluegill u see in this video on dropshot? Drop shot sounds amazing because it sinks fast and u run it at perfect distance off the bottom, but for me that presentation just doesn't work. Yes, i can catch fish on dropshot, especially those crappie, but the main line interferes with the bites in my opinion, somehow. Either fish see it, or because the lure is so rigidly attached they feel something is not right. Especially those small bluegill in the video - you will never catch these if u tied the same hook on dropshot. If i can get to the bottom without dropshot, i never use it. That said, i do have at all times a designated drop shot rod, because when i fish the mooring sails on top of the depth there is also current, and dropshot is absolutely the only way to get down there. Strangely enough, in current the dropshot seems to work better

[@mikehurtle]

@@ifishcatfish the trick I use for so-called Dropshot is I tie a drop-loop knot. This allows me to tie the lure away from the vertical mainline about 3in away this Allows the panfish to get at it better and it gives the lure more of a natural movement. After tying the drop loop knot take the loop that it creates and clip one end of it about a quarter inch away from the knot, Than this I’ll give you a single strand tag end to tie your lure to. I put a link on here that I found where someone shows you how to tie a dropper loop knot just in case you’re not sure on how to do it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aKnMoH6aZbaFqtE

[@ifishcatfish]

@@mikehurtle right. This improves presentstion, agree. But then u completely lose sensitivity and u start to tangle with the main line when u reel in the fish and the whole thing gets kinked. Ive tried it and i donnt consider this an overall improvement. Its a tradeoff. I lose sensitivity and straight line and gain presentation. I would still rather wait for it to sink and have perfect presentation and never kink my line. The problem is sometimes u just cant get all the way down without dropshot

[@tomstarcevich1147]

Nice 🐟 fish zman makes good lures I'm waiting for the walleye video 🐟👍

[@ifishcatfish]

there is still plenty of crappie :)

[@vadushka6399]

Have you used the temple fork trout-panfish rods?

[@ifishcatfish]

i don't own one but i have played with them and they are great. I recommend them.

[@vadushka6399]

@@ifishcatfish Which one do you think feels best? I simply have been going back and forth between the 6ft and the 6'6 and cannot decide!

[@ifishcatfish]

good question. Only the 6'6 is nice, but its one piece. The 6'0 is two piece and a little wobbly

[@yuanhaoyu9679]

What’s the hook size of your jighead?

[@ifishcatfish]

#10 Daiwa size

[@kennyw6932]

You caught some very nice fish using that set-up and I don't understand your negative comments about the lure falling slowly. Fishing isn't a sport of speed and most of the fishing people I know would have been delighted to catch fish at the rate you were pulling them up. Hell, I'd be happy as piggies in mud to catch a fish every five minutes.

[@ifishcatfish]

Your comment makes sense but, in my defense - i’ve been doing this a lot and kind of know what i want now. But u right, u right..

[@MitchBauer]

No need to trim it. Lots of bluegill caught on them right out of the pack

[@ifishcatfish]

i'm sure bluegill don't care too much. I do it for the principle.

[@iusoloman1527]

What rod and reel are you using?

[@myth-hc9df]

he was using the daiwa presso ags xul model 5'10 and the daiwa presso reel. its a phenominal rod, looks and feel at least, i just got mine a week ago.

[@ifishcatfish]

he got it. And i got two of them now.

[@Twcoleman1]

I fished the StingerZ last week ( I cut off the little knot on the tail ) and caught Crappie without problem.

[@ifishcatfish]

im sure u did, but i will never try that. Huge fat body and no tail. I dont know what the hell were they thinking. Either make the body smaller or make the tail bigger. It bothers me so much i can't even look at it.

[@panfishin-fool8057]

🤣🤣🤣 Vic I get a kick out of your response when certain baits erk your last nerve man. I feel your pain bro

[@kaarthikiyer1422]

You should do a video on how to catch fish on a trout magnet and the technique behind it. I am terrible at using trout magnets. I don’t think I have caught a single fish on that.

[@ifishcatfish]

thats because despite what everyone say, trout magnet is not that great of a lure. I fish it because when i glue it i can catch 100 fish with it. But u need to KNOW there is fish there, and then u have to twitch it all the time, because otherwise it looks like a stick. Also u need special hook with very thin wire. If u have a lot if wire hanging out, u wont catch nothing. It is kind of difficult, unless u have a boat and find fish first.

[@davidcarrillo6318]

😆 Screw the fish! 😂

[@ifishcatfish]

so what if i kill a small bluegill? It will get eaten before it sinks to the bottom. There is 3 kinds of catfish, 3 kinds of bass, and drum and stripers and whatnot around here. If they see a blugill is not swimming right... they hone on it like sharks

[@panfishin-fool8057]

Now that's keeping it reel🤣

[@tannermccalister9841]

It’s obviously not too much for bluegill look how many you caught. If you had not trimmed it you still would have caught a bunch and weaned out those dink gills. The fact you caught that many on this bait in a lake says how good of a bait this is. That larvae is designed for creeks and streams mimicking stone flies and such for trout and smallmouth. Try and see! Looks like a hellgrammite too. I promise you the other bait profile you didn’t like will catch more fish in the lake than the larvae, especially crappie!! Wait and see what I do with it this crappie season. Use the Zman heads for that bait too. Fishing is a little different here than the Midwest lol damn is designed in the south.

[@ifishcatfish]

Maybe

[@tannermccalister9841]

@@ifishcatfish use it correctly and see… bet you it’s money!