Zombie Z killer topwater lure

[Randon]

Hi there, has anyone fished the Zombie Z kller lure? would like t know if it has the same action as the popular Zeneth Z Claw?

[Lenny]

Post a Pic of the lure Man .


Just easier for all of use , thats lazy to google them ....

[Randon]

Zombie Z killer

[allsorts]

Yes, works exactly the same - see RSD article http://www.rocksurfanddeep.mobi///a/26423/top-water-grunter

[Randon]

Tanx allot allsorts

[smiley6996]

Let's put it this way any lure will work to catch fish but you get good lures and you get cheap lures witch are normally copies of the good lure it's like 4x4s would you like to cross Africa in a Tata or a Toyota I have the zombie killer in my box and I have had fish attack it but  after missing every fish I gave a closer inspection the hooks are far to small for the lure the other thing I noticed is the wire is very thin compared to other lures like the rapalas I can't comment as to it's similarities to the zclaw as I have never used a zclaw my 2 cents on the zombie killer

[allsorts]

Let's put it this way any lure will work to catch fish but you get good lures and you get cheap lures witch are normally copies of the good lure it's like 4x4s would you like to cross Africa in a Tata or a Toyota I have the zombie killer in my box and I have had fish attack it but  after missing every fish I gave a closer inspection the hooks are far to small for the lure the other thing I noticed is the wire is very thin compared to other lures like the rapalas I can't comment as to it's similarities to the zclaw as I have never used a zclaw my 2 cents on the zombie killer

OK I'm going to respond to this post because I worked on developing this product with the importer and Curt Coetzee and Dean Pretorious (amongst others) did the testing.   


Have I understood you correctly? 


1. In your opinion it's a sub-standard copy of a lure you've never used?
2. The fish like it but...
3. You missed fish because the hooks are too small. What size would you like to see on them?  I ask because I specified #4 BKK's on the 105mm model based on the Z'Claw's hook size being 1 size smaller (the 90mm model has 6's).
4. Hook wire is too thin.  Are the hooks too weak? For interest sake did you try to bend those 'thin wire' hooks to compare with same size hooks on other lures?  I tested BKK #2 treble's on an 80cm yellowtail and they didn't bend.   

Help me here please 6996

[smiley6996]

How's it allsorts it's only the hooks gap that is a concern to me otherwise I love the way it walks the wire I was talking about is the body's wire been thin but I only target grunts and the odd leery so it don't bother me that much but on bigger fish it could be a problem I have no issues with the hook type I know they strong it's only the size 

[allsorts]

No sweat Smiley - by all means try a larger treble or singles.  I know Curt uses assists sometimes to help with grunter hook-ups.  You can also add another split ring to drop the treble hook points down a bit or even use assist cord / heavy braid to lengthen the drop on trebles.  Thanks for the input on the attachment wires - we might well go to a heavier guage - will check with factory. 

[Cam Mundy]

Let's put it this way any lure will work to catch fish but you get good lures and you get cheap lures witch are normally copies of the good lure it's like 4x4s would you like to cross Africa in a Tata or a Toyota I have the zombie killer in my box and I have had fish attack it but  after missing every fish I gave a closer inspection the hooks are far to small for the lure the other thing I noticed is the wire is very thin compared to other lures like the rapalas I can't comment as to it's similarities to the zclaw as I have never used a zclaw my 2 cents on the zombie killer

OK I'm going to respond to this post because I worked on developing this product with the importer and Curt Coetzee and Dean Pretorious (amongst others) did the testing.   


Have I understood you correctly? 


1. In your opinion it's a sub-standard copy of a lure you've never used?
2. The fish like it but...
3. You missed fish because the hooks are too small. What size would you like to see on them?  I ask because I specified #4 BKK's on the 105mm model based on the Z'Claw's hook size being 1 size smaller (the 90mm model has 6's).
4. Hook wire is too thin.  Are the hooks too weak? For interest sake did you try to bend those 'thin wire' hooks to compare with same size hooks on other lures?  I tested BKK #2 treble's on an 80cm yellowtail and they didn't bend.   

Help me here please 6996

Not really fair to jump down the guys throat when he's a 100% correct as far as I can tell, you even say you compared hooks against the original lure for reference.

In my mind being "involved" in the development means taking a prototype testing an refining it till its perfect then having the manufacturer put it into production. Not telling a Chinese factory to change the hooks and split rings on a OEM knock off lure.

[allsorts]

Not really fair to jump down the guys throat when he's a 100% correct as far as I can tell, you even say you compared hooks against the original lure for reference.

In my mind being "involved" in the development means taking a prototype testing an refining it till its perfect then having the manufacturer put it into production. Not telling a Chinese factory to change the hooks and split rings on a OEM knock off lure.


In fairness Cam there is a bit more to it than that.  The basic OEM product was weighted wrong and so swam wrong, had no brand identity, no sighter, no rattle, no advertising, no testing, no distribution, the standard colours were horrible and the hooks were made of scooby wire.  Developed is exactly the right word - if I claimed to have originated the lure then call BS by all means.  I think 'knock-off' implies an attempt to counterfeit an item so that is not the correct terminology.

The Z'Claw in SW colours is exclusive to Ultimate Fishing in France (as you know I'm sure) and given the China/Japan/France links in the cost chain was never going to be anything but a niche product in SA selling for R400+ if it carried a decent mark-up.  I sold it online for many years at low mark-ups more or less as a service to local anglers until an importer suggested we work together on a wholesaleable item.  Zenith and Ultimate have spent not one red cent in the SA market so I have no qualms about leveraging a product I introduced, marketed and bought in volume.  I had the option of selling an exact duplicate but elected (thanks Curt for your input) to go with a lookalike - Z'Killers are 5 and 4mm bigger than the respective Z'Claws.   

I do admit to a slightly overdone passive-aggressive response but Smiley and I have already corresponded offline and harmony has been restored...

     

[SAfish]

I agree, you guys have handled it very well. True gentleman and with that you have shown what a great bunch of guys we have on UA .  to both of you. 

[Randon]

  to allsorts as I always wanted the Z claw but couldnt get it here in Durban,nevermind the price .Now I can get the Z killer wich works just as well.

[smiley6996]

Ok just to get my side straight I like the lure but could never stop loving my rapala xwalk she's the first love of my lure box but when I first saw the zombie killer I assumed it was another cheap rip of but after a nice chat to allsorts I am wiser now I learnt that it's a S.A. product and I am all for south African lures local is mose lekker I will be supporting this lure all the way hopefully will have some pix to  prove the lure works soon tnx everyone for there comments and yes I will still change the hooks haha but that's just the way I been taught

[allsorts]

As per PMs from SAFish and REEFMAN there is a request to clarify pricing and availability of Z'Killers.  Thanks REEFMAN for the opportunity!  I cannot supply direct but there are dealers in all the provinces and I know the Allcocks are happy to mail orders anywhere in the country.  I have a (hopefully) up-to-date list of dealers and their contact details on www.zombielures.co.za and you can see all colours and sizes available.  We don't have an RRP but expect to pay around R90 coastal and a bit more in Gauteng.


As a thank you to UA I'm happy to sponsor a Z'Killer as a prize each month (February to April 2015) for the best photo of a topwater-caught fish by a UA forum member (any topwater).  Maybe REEFMAN would be kind enough to judge or nominate a judge?  Not sure about formats?

[smiley6996]

Sounds like I am going to have to spend some time in the polluted waters of swartkops thanks for the sponsorship I paid 86 buck for my killer

[Lenny]

This lure are a lot like the old Bagleys , finger mullet .


I have not seen a Bagleys lure in a while , and have lost all mine , I've had  a couple and took  a bunch of Bass , Smallmouth and largies . Leeries from the Breeed to the Krom ate them too .


Had a really unique action , that just seemed to out fish most others .

I have had bad luck with Skitter pops and skitter walks , 3 of them the eyes broke off ... SO I am not spending any money on them soon again . [ the smaller skitter pops are the better one of the lot , hence the salt does eat it quickly is suppose]
[/size]
[/size][size=78%]I felt like [/size][size=78%][/size]spending money on the Skitter walks , that have that nice Colour almost holographic ..[size=78%]

[/size][size=78%]Theres a [/size]bunch of lures similar in size and weight  like this one in question , i mean not in shape , but like a Thaistick , 11 grams , and a baby clone in 110mm at 9 grams ... All of them under the 90 bucks a piece . [size=78%] [/size][size=78%]

[/size][size=78%]DO you guys think we can compare the lure with a Zara spook ? cause the Spook comes a a couple of sizes , puppy/dog / super spook . they have a Saltwater range too , They are in the same price class as this ..[/size][size=78%]

[/size][size=78%]After the baby clone , I will always always , [/size]throw[size=78%] a spook , I have [/size]a baby[size=78%] spook , Leeries love them .[/size][size=78%]
[/size][size=78%]I will agree that the way Heddon attaches those hook eyes are suspect , I have had spooks for many years with out [/size]having[size=78%] a breakage there , a bit of rust on the skrews , but thats it ...[/size][size=78%]

[/size][size=78%]Cheap lures sell , even the bad ones not saying any thing a a bd knock off , theres also many many lures thats has out priced [/size][size=78%][/size]themselves for our local market IMO .[size=78%]
[/size]But hey do sell , and its a very competitive market for a fact . [size=78%]

[/size]The marlin guys should give us perspective on what does a Spread cost them ?  [size=78%]

[/size]So saving , 30 bucks here , and thirty bucks there , at the end of the day you buy new hooks and better splits , minus 30 again ...[size=78%]

[/size]Lots of guys will argue , that fishing with a spoon , for e.g. . IS a better way , I say what ever gets the bite , and obviously your preferences .... [size=78%]

[/size]If its a 300 rand lure or a 35 rand lure , doesn't matter to me .[size=78%]

[Fishersteve]

A great story/journey in the making here, from Curts first grunt to THE Zombie Z killer. 

[xtc]

edited

[Half-Pint]

All sorts any chance we can do a group order from you for the UA guys up in JHB?

Anyone else interested?
1) HP