How to Fish Z-Man Big TRD for Bass
Z-Man Big TRD fills in the gap for those many days throughout the season in which nothing in the boat will work.
Often, a Z-Man Big TRD was the only thing they’d touch. A softer ElaZtech formulation and custom salt content allow the TRD to exhibit the precise sink rate, lifelike action, and irresistible feel. Expert finesse anglers have learned this results in longer holds and increased hook-up ratios. It will last thru dozens of fish before falling apart.
I feel that there are certain situations where a Z-Man Big TRD excels for large bass. Cold and clear water are the prime time for big bass and catches them all year.
“When the water is clear and still cold, the fish are in a negative mood. The TRD will catch big bass better than just about any other technique. You have to fish it around places that big bass live. I like to pitch it near brush, cattails, and shallow docks. Even fish it on deep weed edges, rock piles and ledges.
Often, a Z-Man Finesse TRD is the only thing they’d touch
This finesse technique has been so hot because it seems to produce when nothing else will. “It is so subtle. When the water is cold, or the bass are pressured, they aren’t as excited about a jig or ChatterBait. However, they will have no problem eating a Finesse TRD.”
When fishing a Z-Man Big TRD, you can utilize several different retrieves. I often fish it much like a shaky head with several short hops as the bait stays close to the bottom. Many bites occur during the descent after the initial cast.
“When you are using that light of a bait, with a 1/16 weight, it will fall slowly and get the attention of bass in the area. I notice that many of my bites happen right when it falls. If you start to see this, you can replicate it during your cast by lifting your rod high and letting the bait spiral down again. I’ll try this halfway back during my retrieve, and it will get you a few extra bites.”
If you add Z-Man Big TRD to your arsenal, always keep them stored in original packaging for protection. Never store them together with different colors, or other types of plastics. Otherwise, they will bleed, warp, and disintegrate.
I bomb cast it for long distances, and hop and dead stick it along the bottom to imitate a leech. Always keep pressure on the line to detect the most subtle bites. Allow them a couple seconds before you set the hook. This will result in the bass connecting with the hook in the roof of the jaw, 99% of the time.
Rigging Technique:
- Straight Rig: (My preferred rigging) Insert the hook point straight down into the middle of the head of the worm, all the way to the point where you want the hook point to pop out.
- Wacky Rig: You can also wacky rig it, which is effective for certain presentations.
- Texas Rig: The larger size of the Big TRD allows it to be used for Texas rigs.
- Carolina Rig: You can also fish it on a Carolina rig, dragging it across ledges.
Tip:
The mistake people make with a Z-Man Big TRD is trying to fish too fast. A TRD has a lot more built-in action than people give it credit for. In fact, I often get bit when I’m dead sticking a Big TRD. So, when you’re not fishing for a visible fish, I think slowing down is the key. This is why a Z-Man is so much more versatile than it gets credit for with bass anglers.
If you’re not using this versatile big fish catching bait, you are missing out. Big TRD’s can be used in a variety of situations and are effective almost all year. They are exceptionally effective during the cold water of pre-spawn when bass are looking for an easy meal. Tie one on and give it a try this year, you will be glad you did.
“Catch The Dream!”