z-ray lures

[Jaeger]

Ah. I was curious about the single hook vs. the treble as well. Was size gatsu hook do you usually put on there? I was also thinking the red coated hooks could be a potentially leathal combo.

[markskor]

I swap out/use (from www.shop.gamakatsu.com) their Siwah, open-eye, size 1 hooks to replace my standard Z-Ray trebles...comes in nickel or ( if you can find them, an almost too deadly ) the red.
The open eye configuration makes it very easy to replace hooks as you can open up the ring and slide the treble out, and just crimp down on the new hook to close.

[GearChukker]

I fish Z-Rays quite a bit, and I have been ordering them direct from the source for about 5+ years. Have never run into any problem of minimum order size. I usually order at least 10 at a time, and as others have said they usually throw in a free one... but for me those have been some pretty wacky colors/schemes, so the freebies haven't been all that useful. Quick delivery and much cheaper than buying them in stores.

As far as fishing them goes, I think I tend to stick more to a relatively slower retrieve speed. I always try to change speeds and insert some jerks/stalls during the retrieve, but overall I retrieve these lures slower than similar spoons like KM's or Thomas Bouyants. They seem to show a less predictable pattern and flutter more going very slow than compared to a faster constant retrieve. I always seem to get more hits than friends fishing them in nearby locations. Although I do have my theories about seemingly missing more strikes with this lure/retrieve combo... (I tell myself that b/c the lure is moving so slowly the fish aren't required to hit it as "hard" or have to dart after/ into it to make a strike that I tend to get some "half hearted strikes")

And since we're talking Z-rays... I am amazed that many here have talked about success in the back country with 3/8" Z-Rays and KM's! Those lures are HUGE. I fish the 1/4's thinking those are large. I have a couple 3/8's I have for Steelhead, but never imagined using them for trout in the back country. How big of fish do you catch on those size lures?

[oldranger]

I've landed 6" rb and brookies on 3/8 oz z-ray. Generally do well enough that I have started carrrying just a couple of 1/4 oz z-rays on the chance that I decide I will go hungry if I don't go to smaller lure. Also I use size 6 siwash single hooks on my 3/8 oz. z-rays and leave the trebles on the 1/4 oz.

Mike

[Jaeger]

Do you guys tie them on directly or use a snap? I know it says NOT to use a barrell. I noticed some slightly rough edges around the holes on a few of mine. I don't think I will tie directly to the lure for fear of an easy break-off.

[markskor]

I may start out at unknown lakes using a snap swivel - just so I can swap out/ see what is working best, but after that first hour, I just tie on the Z-Ray directly. I seldom get line breakage at the knot but retie often too.
Seems though I mainly stick to three colors:
Brass w/ red dots
Solid red
or white with pink dots...
usually 3/8 oz too...always seeking out the larger fish.

[rlown]

Do you guys tie them on directly or use a snap? I know it says NOT to use a barrell. I noticed some slightly rough edges around the holes on a few of mine. I don't think I will tie directly to the lure for fear of an easy break-off.

Yeah. looked at my 3/8 oz and wondered if i should use a swivel. I don't like swivels. Per markskor's comments, I also direct tie and retie either after every fish or after about a dozen casts (usually due to trying a different pattern.)

Given I throw 4lb test, it feels a little heavy on that weight, but I haven't lost one yet. I decided that given the "hole" sometimes looks a little rough for the tie-on, I double wrap the base loop, supposedly to spread the weight/wear. Makes me feel better, although not sure it makes any difference.

As for retrieve speed, it depends on how the fish react. Slower, the lures act very erratic, but you can get a little deeper. Faster, it acts more like a spoon (to me at least), but it'll be closer to the surface. guess that was a duh. I watch the fish and what they like, then repeat.

[teejay]

And since we're talking Z-rays... I am amazed that many here have talked about success in the back country with 3/8" Z-Rays and KM's! Those lures are HUGE. I fish the 1/4's thinking those are large. I have a couple 3/8's I have for Steelhead, but never imagined using them for trout in the back country. How big of fish do you catch on those size lures?

I ordered some of the 1/4" and 3/8" zrays this year(first time order), and my impression was also that the 3/8" size seemed huge. I learned after receiving the order that the length advertised on the website is for the lure body only and does not include the extra 3/4" or so of the hook.
The 1/4" size seems more appropriate for my needs. However, I guess the old formula applies here: "big lure = big fish".