Zoom Report
Zoom Bait Company has announced the launch of two new additions to its lineup: the Thick Trick worm and the Midsize Z Craw. Developed with input from the Zoom Pro Staff, these baits are designed to give anglers precise, purpose-built options for the most technical fishing situations.
The Thick Trick: The Evolution of the Trick Worm
Building on the legacy of the classic Trick Worm, the new Thick Trick offers a beefed-up profile that bridges the gap between traditional trick worms and chunkier stick baits. This new design delivers a "meatier" presentation with a high salt content, applicable to many different applications.
Zoom Bass Pro Brandon Cobb notes the bait's versatility and unique action:
- Shaky Head Dominance: "I'm really liking this Thick Trick. It's just a little meatier, kind of more of that Ned rig look, that stubby stump worm. And I think sometimes it's better." Cobb has found it especially effective as a shaky head, which "always gets bit," particularly around shallow wood, stumps, and small brush piles for spotted bass.
- Unique Neko Rig Performance: The Thick Trick, made with the same high salt content as the Fluke Stick, excels on a Neko rig. Cobb highlights the unique action when rigged strategically: "When I pull this worm with my wacky hook, it would actually vibrate.
- The tail would vibrate. And I caught a lot of fish this year... on this worm by pulling it, which is unique." This vibrating tail sets it apart, attracting bites on the pull that traditional worms often miss
Cobb’s Rigging Tip: When Neko rigged with a nail weight, Cobb advises inserting the tungsten from the back side, not the head. This keeps the head intact, preventing the weight from flying out on hard skips and saving anglers valuable tungsten.
The Thick Trick is available in natural colors, with Brandon Cobb noting that the Green Pumpkin and natural colors are always his go to colors.
Midsize Z Craw: Filling the Sweet Spot
The new Midsize Z Craw answers the call from pros who needed a perfect "in-between" size for their flipping and jig-trailer applications. With the Z Craw measuring 4.25" and the Z Craw Jr. at 3.75", the new Midsize Z Craw lands precisely in the middle at 4.0".
Brandon Cobb describes the motivation behind the new size: “Depending on the lake and the conditions, sometimes the Z Craw Junior is a little small, and the Z Craw is a bit too big. The 4.0" Midsize Z Craw fills this crucial gap by providing:
- Optimal Jig Trailer Ratio: The Midsize Z Craw offers the "perfect ratio of hook to soft plastic on a swim jig," according to Cobb, allowing for better hook-ups compared to the larger Z Craw.
- Enhanced Flipping Performance: Zoom has modified the design by removing one of the hook slots. This is a key technical update. While the bigger Z Craw needs two hook slots to help with hook-sets through its meaty body, the Midsize Z Craw’s smaller profile allows the angler to Texas Rig it more cleanly. This change provides "a little more meat to put that hook in" and helps the hook stay concealed, preventing it from poking out and getting snagged on grass or wood, a common frustration with smaller baits like the Z Craw Jr.
- Ideal Hook & Weight Pairings: The Midsize Z Craw pairs perfectly with a 3/0 flipping hook, fitting the bait profile a bit better than on the Z Craw Jr. For pitching, Cobb suggests a 5/16 oz weight, landing squarely between the 3/8 oz for the standard Z Craw and the 1/4 oz for the Z Craw Jr.
The Midsize Z Craw will be available initially in 10 proven Zoom colors, with Cobb recommending White Pearl, Tilapia or Green Pumpkin, and Black Blue.