TRD CrawZ

The TRD CrawZ is designed to float “claws up” and when rigged on a new Z-Man Finesse Bulletz hook this feature is accentuated. While intended as a crayfish imitation for sweet water use it’s a very close imitation to the Pistol Shrimp inhabiting our shallow saltwater flats!

While waiting for my angler, I injured my knee early Tuesday morning as I was prepping the boat. The loud “pop” and excruciating pain I experienced seemed to point to a ruptured tendon. I was completely relieved when it turned out to be a severe strain with several days off the water and lots of icing of the knee was all I needed to heal.

As a result of this injury I was unable to fish this past week. I can say with certainty I missed out on a good week of fishing. Other guides boasted good catches of breeder redfish (it’s the beginning of breeding season) as well as plenty of slot sized redfish and trout.

The usual suspects of soft plastic lures were responsible for most of the catching. For me, Diezel Minnowz and Grass Kickerz rigged weedless have been a top choice. Z-Man four and five inch Jerk Shadz are a great option when the swim-tailed lures are not receiving enough attention.

Top-water walking plugs also accounted for plenty of action at first light. I’ve been replacing the factory treble hooks with inline singles for some time now and they are much friendlier on the fish with the added bonus of catching less grass on the hooks!

Though no one admitted to it, I suspect “chunk” bait accounted for most of the big redfish which were caught. Chunk bait, like mullet, pinfish and ladyfish, are still viable options when offered to fish you’re looking at. I toss the chunk past the fish and rapidly reel it back across the surface so I can see it and let it settle to the bottom when it’s in proximity of the target. When your chunk is simply setting on the bottom waiting for your trophy, it’s quickly picked apart by the pinfish and other bait stealers.