Zoom Baits! 2024
Avid Angler FL reply :
Does anyone here love using Zoom baits? If so, what kind and what are some ways you fish them? I've been using Zoom for the past 4 years I've been bass fishing, and have always loved using them.
Also, I have a few bags of Zoom Small Tubes, they're like a 3 in version of the regular Zoom tubes. Anyone have any luck with these??
Thanks, Garrett 
Stasher1 reply :
Zoom stuff is okay, but definitely not in my top 5...probably not even in my top 10. The quality (or lack thereof) of some of my past Zoom purchases has really turned me off.
One or two mis-shapen baits per pack I can live with. When over 50% of the pack looks like this, I start looking for new supplier.
I emailed Zoom about the "quality" of this pack and never received a response.
I've bought the "Dents & Dings" from a former site supporter, and all of them have been better than what Zoom is trying to pass off as top quality.
Captain Obvious reply :
I love zoom baits. They are what I call my core "soft plastic brand"
As for fishing them my best producing bait is the utlra-vibe craw on a jig head crawled along the bottom.
The Trick worm is the best worm on the market, fish it as you like it will catch fish.
The Fluke and Brush Hog are also classic baits that have more than prove themselves on tour and by the weekend warrior.
No they are not the best quality brand but for the price they are unbeatable.I have seen bad packaging in all brands, we are talking about soft plastic baits its going to happen.
Capt.O
wormycrm99 reply :
Zoom trick worms seem to work when nothin else will. I have had alot of good days using Brush hogs and ultra vibe speedworms also. I have noticed a few more defective baits in packages of zoom baits lately though. You can get other brands of the same designs and probably get a better made bait that will perform the same as the zoom versions.
Siebert Outdoors reply :
About the only plastic I use is their lizards. I dont fish a whole lot of plastics anymore except creature baits. I mostly use some handpours I make or Rage craws this year.
Fat-G reply :
Zoom's QC is absolutely horrible. I have had countless bags in which every bait in the pack looked like the picture above. Their Trick and Finesse worms are OK, but I would rather throw a Roboworm.
They do catch fish if you can get a "good" pack. I've caught probably nine 5-7 pound fish on a weightless wacky Trick Worm.
senko_77 reply :
On 8/11/2011 at 3:21 AM, Fat-G said:Zoom's QC is absolutely horrible. I have had countless bags in which every bait in the pack looked like the picture above. Their Trick and Finesse worms are OK, but I would rather throw a Roboworm.
They do catch fish if you can get a "good" pack. I've caught probably nine 5-7 pound fish on a weightless wacky Trick Worm.
Have you really seen your catch rate drop from a bag of plastics that had some air pockets on their sides?? If so, I'm telling you now, it's all in your head. I've had fish rip the tail off of a swimming fluke or mag 2 and as I'm reeling it in, it gets slammed. How about all the times you've glued appendages on a bait and the craftsmanship is crappy and then you chuck it out and start catching them?
Fat-G reply :
On 8/11/2011 at 3:45 AM, senko_77 said:Have you really seen your catch rate drop from a bag of plastics that had some air pockets on their sides?? If so, I'm telling you now, it's all in your head. I've had fish rip the tail off of a swimming fluke or mag 2 and as I'm reeling it in, it gets slammed. How about all the times you've glued appendages on a bait and the craftsmanship is crappy and then you chuck it out and start catching them?
I don't really buy Zoom anymore, but the air pockets neve affected the catch rate, it just ticked me off.
Avid Angler FL reply :
I'm not sure where you're shopping at to find defective ones, because I rarely find a defect in their baits. They're usually all pretty consistent when I get them, and I've used plenty of em! Anyone know a good way to rig/fish the small tubes? Thanks
clayton86 reply :
I love zoom baits I throw flukes and tubes mostly and iv never had an issue in over 5 years when I started the only issue iv had and it was a good one I got 15baits in a pack labeled to have 10 so go me. I have some u tail worms as well that are all fine as well. But I am mostly a rage guy but steve hasn't come out with a rage fluke or tube
central.PA.bass reply :
i love zoom plastics as well.. their lizards, shaky head worms, and speed craws are killer!
I.rar reply :
I like zoom. Flukes ,lizards , and speed worms caught me plenty if fish.
I've never had any qc problems with them either.
RangerEnthusiast reply :
Zoom baits dominate in my soft plastic boxes. I'm a Zoom guy. I also use Bitters Baits too there a lot like Zoom's baits.
Avid Angler FL reply :
I'm always trying variety, and I have many different brands of plastics, but Zoom has to be in my top 5! No other company has been able to replicate the classic "Fluke"! Other shad immitations are either not what they say they are or they're more pricey for less product. I think I'll be fishing Zoom baits forever! There's just such a variety in styles, colors, and applications for which you can use them, they've become a mainstay in my tackle bag.
dhami013 reply :
I love Zoom baits. Baby Brush hog is my go to. I like it in green pumpkin. I've also grown fond of the super fluke. I use that in watermelon red flake fished weightless on a 3/0 hook.
Stasher1 reply :
On 8/11/2011 at 3:45 AM, senko_77 said:Have you really seen your catch rate drop from a bag of plastics that had some air pockets on their sides?? If so, I'm telling you now, it's all in your head. I've had fish rip the tail off of a swimming fluke or mag 2 and as I'm reeling it in, it gets slammed. How about all the times you've glued appendages on a bait and the craftsmanship is crappy and then you chuck it out and start catching them?
It's not a question of whether or not they'll still catch fish. It's about paying full price for a defective/blemished product. They're mass-produced soft plastics, and I have no problem with a defective/mis-shapen bait every now and then but over 50% of this particular pack were as shown above. That wouldn't be acceptable in any other product, why should my soft plastics be any different?
Bluebasser86 reply :
I fish the trick worm a ton, along with baby brush hogs. I like the meathead on a dropshot, speed craw as a jig trailer, mag 2 worms, and the fluke. I guess I've never noticed the large amounts of defects in the baits, but then again the fish must not notice either 
SirSnookalot reply :
The only plastic baits I use are flukes, have never really noticed any defects from Zoom or any other brand. Flukes are a big part of my arsenal, I use them a lot for bass, but I use them more for snook and tarpon. Just about any fish will hit them, great for toothy critters if you don't mind putting a fresh one after each strike. I use Zooms, but have no loyalty to any brand, my catch rate is fairly constant from brand to brand.
Quillback reply :
Lot's of Zoom plastics in my tackle boxes, I love U-tales, Ol' Monster, Trick worms and Brush Hogs. Price is reasonable also. Great color selection. My only complaint is that some colors are not available across all products, for example green pumpkin/purple flake.
ww2farmer reply :
About the only thing I have been using from them this year are Tiny Flukes for drop shotting, and the swimming fluke. I still have a lot of super flukes, fat albert grubs, trick and finesse worms, jr. super chunks, super chunks, and horny toads, but they have all been moved to the bottom of the rotation. I have been using a lot of Strike King plastics this year. I'll keep that zoom stuff, it works just fine, I just like trying other things. No one pays me to fish with there stuff.
MuffinMan reply :
I love this brand and my top 3 favorites are the zoom lizards, baby brush hogs, and the new Houdini super fluke!
Primus reply :
I use a few different brands of soft plastics and Zoom is part of the rotation. I have not had any quality control problems and I've been using their stuff for years. The baits I use would include...
Speed Craw
Centipede
Brush Hog & Baby Brush Hog
Super Fluke & Jr.
U tail worms
Trick Worm
grimlin reply :
On 8/11/2011 at 12:38 PM, Stasher1 said:It's not a question of whether or not they'll still catch fish. It's about paying full price for a defective/blemished product. They're mass-produced soft plastics, and I have no problem with a defective/mis-shapen bait every now and then but over 50% of this particular pack were as shown above. That wouldn't be acceptable in any other product, why should my soft plastics be any different?
While I can see where you are coming from,but the ones I buy from Walmart seems to be where I get most of my messed up baits.Since I use the fat albert grubs and I mean a lot of them,I want to say about 30% of them has been found messed up. But for $2 & some change I'm willing to let it go since they do catch fish.
The Bassinator reply :
As senko 77 said I dont think minor misshaping of the baits affects lure performance. Now if you have a bait like a swim bait or a craw with flapping claws and the appendages are misshapen then it affects the action and I would agree that I wouldnt use it. I have never had a problem with zoom baits and they are my #1 bait of choice. You just cant get a better bait for the price IMO.
piscicidal reply :
I love Zoom products, but they do have an issue with quality control. I buy my stuff from the BPS store here in Fort Lauderdale and I will always check the bag I am buying to look for misshapen baits. I do think it can be an issue, especially with the horny toads. If one side of the bait has an abnormal amount of "sink" (a molding term, indicating a non-filled condition) the bait might not run true. The worms I am not so concerned with, but I will check them anyway. I realize this is no consolation to someone who might be buying online.
My favorites: Horny Toad, Ol Monster, Dead Ringer. I probably go through more packs of horny toads than I do any other soft plastic.
Avid Angler FL reply :
On 8/11/2011 at 10:41 PM, piscicidal said:I love Zoom products, but they do have an issue with quality control. I buy my stuff from the BPS store here in Fort Lauderdale and I will always check the bag I am buying to look for misshapen baits. I do think it can be an issue, especially with the horny toads. If one side of the bait has an abnormal amount of "sink" (a molding term, indicating a non-filled condition) the bait might not run true. The worms I am not so concerned with, but I will check them anyway. I realize this is no consolation to someone who might be buying online.
My favorites: Horny Toad, Ol Monster, Dead Ringer. I probably go through more packs of horny toads than I do any other soft plastic.
How to you work the Horny Toads?? And what kind of hook do you use to rig em? When I use frogs I usually use the Stanley Ribbit Frog, so Horny Toads aren't my strong point.
roadwarrior reply :
Well, try a couple of Rage Tail products and see what you think.
I don't think you will be fishing Zoom anymore.
Quillback reply :
I've tried other stuff, still like Zoom.
LuckyHandsINC. reply :
wal mart is also the only place I've gotten a defective bag from zoom. Don't know if it means anything but I could see wal mart buying the defects so they could sell them cheaper.On 8/11/2011 at 9:50 PM, grimlin said:While I can see where you are coming from,but the ones I buy from Walmart seems to be where I get most of my messed up baits.Since I use the fat albert grubs and I mean a lot of them,I want to say about 30% of them has been found messed up. But for $2 & some change I'm willing to let it go since they do catch fish.
Stasher1 reply :
On 8/12/2011 at 8:05 PM, NYBASSIN36 said:wal mart is also the only place I've gotten a defective bag from zoom. Don't know if it means anything but I could see wal mart buying the defects so they could sell them cheaper.
Mine actually came from the local BPS.
LuckyHandsINC. reply :
On 8/12/2011 at 9:14 PM, Stasher1 said:Mine actually came from the local BPS.
Well there goes that theory out the window.
I still like zoom though
jeb2 reply :
Also a zoom fan. By far, my most successful soft plastic baits overall. I have tried Rage Tail products, as well as many other brands. Some of the other brands catch fish well for me, but Rage Tail's have been very spotty producers, at best. But I just find no reason NOT to buy Zoom if they have the product I'm looking for. Great price, great quality and they catch fish. I can't think of more than one or two zoom baits I've used over the years that had any quality issues, so I'm very happy with the QC of them.
bassin is addicting reply :
there will ALWAYS be a place for Zoom plastics in my tackle bag. i've tried (and use) other brands but will continue to use Zoom. the variety of different baits and colors are virtually unmatched. never had a quality issue..
i could almost name every one of their baits that i have caught fish on.
right now i've been doing real well with the speed craw and ultra-vibe craw.
Avid Angler FL reply :
How are their craw baits? I've never fished em.
Avid Angler FL reply :
On 8/11/2011 at 2:43 PM, SirSnookalot said:The only plastic baits I use are flukes, have never really noticed any defects from Zoom or any other brand. Flukes are a big part of my arsenal, I use them a lot for bass, but I use them more for snook and tarpon. Just about any fish will hit them, great for toothy critters if you don't mind putting a fresh one after each strike. I use Zooms, but have no loyalty to any brand, my catch rate is fairly constant from brand to brand.
I swear, I don't know what it is about the simple design of a shad-shaped piece of soft plastic, but it works! And the effectiveness of the Fluke is immense!
kikstand454 reply :
yeah i use zoom plastics probably 80% of the time.
great baits... great colors...cheap price.
the only plastic i can think of that use instead of a zoom would be senko baits cause they dont have one.
i will say though...i really really like the strike king caffeen shad jerkbaits. theyre just too expensive. i like the way they fall though... horizontal like a senko. but 90% of the time i buy zoom flukes. i do GREAT with flukes on speckled trout and redfish. *shrug*
mr.mallard reply :
On 8/11/2011 at 3:45 AM, senko_77 said:Have you really seen your catch rate drop from a bag of plastics that had some air pockets on their sides?? If so, I'm telling you now, it's all in your head. I've had fish rip the tail off of a swimming fluke or mag 2 and as I'm reeling it in, it gets slammed. How about all the times you've glued appendages on a bait and the craftsmanship is crappy and then you chuck it out and start catching them?
ive had super flukes that have gotten ripped weird and catch fish way better.
SirSnookalot reply :
I think it's the design rather than the brand that makes them effective. In freshwater I use nothing but zoom, I use them like a topwater and prefer it to a frog, hook sets better.
In salt I have used Zoom and they are excellent, but I like the DOA 5 1/2" for their castabilty, but catch rate is on a par with the Zoom brand.
hatrix reply :
Zoom is probably my #1 soft plastic they flat out catch fish. What can you really say about flukes and baby brush hogs they just slay the fish. When I do buy flukes though I kinda dig through the packs and try to find a pack where most of the tails are as straight as possible. Sometimes they will get bent in weird angles and I don't like that. I don't know if just cause the tail is bent all weird if it will catch less fish but its just kinda mental thing where I try to find the most perfect pack.
whitwolf reply :
I have used Zoom products for years. My personal favorites are the 4" dead ringer(watermelon/red and an old pack of red/silver fleck) and the 8" big dead ringer (red shad) mostly fished at night.
I have tried the horny toad and flukes also and have had moderate success.
Lately I have put the 4" dead ringer on a shakey head (megastrike) and It's been deadly on points and around cover.
Zoom baits are fine products and I would highly recommend them to anyone.
Quillback reply :
Hmmm, Dead Ringer on a shakey head...I like that idea!
jignfule reply :
Zooms Fat Albert grubs, Fat Albert twin tails for jig trailers, good old trick worms, brush hogs. All GREAT baits. I just bought some "swimmin super fluke houdini" to try out. Glad Zoom is around.
Avid Angler FL reply :
What kind of hooks do ya'll use with the Flukes?? I like to use either a 3/0 or 4/0 Eagle Claw lazer sharp offset worm hook, or Gamakatsus or Owners. Just curious. Also, anyone add a small split shot about a foot above the bait??
LWD reply :
I can attest also that a 3/0 red gamakatsu baby bass Zoom fluke works well. No Zoom product I bought I didn't have good luck on. Lemon shad 'better than salt' trick worm and what they mean by better than salt is that it doesn't have any salt and it makes the trick worm more sturdy less susceptible to breakage when it's on the hook. The 6" Zoom junebug lizard is my most used bait it can catch bass small they even make them in mini 4" inch sizes. I had Zoom's fluke jr's c-rigged works good if your looking for an even smaller sized fluke.
Avid Angler FL reply :
On 8/16/2011 at 12:36 PM, Lester Wayne Dobos said:I can attest also that a 3/0 red gamakatsu baby bass Zoom fluke works well. No Zoom product I bought I didn't have good luck on. Lemon shad 'better than salt' trick worm and what they mean by better than salt is that it doesn't have any salt and it makes the trick worm more sturdy less susceptible to breakage when it's on the hook. The 6" Zoom junebug lizard is my most used bait it can catch bass small they even make them in mini 4" inch sizes. I had Zoom's fluke jr's c-rigged works good if your looking for an even smaller sized fluke.
Wow thanks so much for answering a question I've always wondered about! So THAT'S what "Better than Salt" means!!! Their baits are quite durable. Like others have said, people who have had a Fluke get torn up seem to still do excellent on them.
Avid Angler FL reply :
On 8/14/2011 at 3:04 AM, whitwolf said:I have used Zoom products for years. My personal favorites are the 4" dead ringer(watermelon/red and an old pack of red/silver fleck) and the 8" big dead ringer (red shad) mostly fished at night.
I have tried the horny toad and flukes also and have had moderate success.
Lately I have put the 4" dead ringer on a shakey head (megastrike) and It's been deadly on points and around cover.
Zoom baits are fine products and I would highly recommend them to anyone.
Wow I should try that dead ringer on a shaky head around here. Bass love the rig, and I think by cutting down on length and adding to profile it might kick up a few lunkers.
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